‘Stop it’ – Alan Shearer interrupts Gary Lineker to shut down suggestion of Gareth Southgate replacement
The recent discussion about who might replace Gareth Southgate as England’s national team manager took an interesting turn when Alan Shearer firmly shut down Gary Lineker’s suggestions.
Following England’s second consecutive failure to win the European Championship, attention has shifted to Southgate’s future. The 53-year-old manager, whose contract expires in December, has several potential successors, including Graham Potter, Lee Carsley, and Mauricio Pochettino.
During a discussion on the “Rest Is Football” podcast with Micah Richards and Shearer, Lineker argued that Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe could be a suitable successor. Lineker posed the question, “So who next? Do you go English? Because there is really only Eddie Howe.”
However, Shearer, like many Newcastle fans, is keen to keep Howe at St. James’ Park. Howe has been instrumental in leading Newcastle to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, making him a valuable asset for the club. Shearer’s response elicited laughter as Lineker continued to make his case.
Lineker speculated about Southgate’s potential departure, acknowledging the challenges and demands of the role. He asked, “Say Gareth does call it a day, which I suspect must be so tough, so demanding, so hard, who would you go for? Eddie Howe?”
Shearer responded, “There is no doubt he will be in the betting because he has done a great job at Newcastle and he plays that kind of football.”
The conversation then turned to other high-profile candidates. Lineker mentioned Frank Lampard but also suggested Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool boss, as a potential candidate. Richards humorously proposed an even bigger name, Pep Guardiola.
Lineker questioned the realism of hiring Guardiola, to which Richards responded optimistically, “Why not?”
Lineker considered the possibility of Klopp joining the England team, noting that Klopp is currently out of a job and might be ready for a new challenge after a rest.
However, Shearer quickly shut down the idea of hiring a German manager for England, stating, “Do you really think England would go for a German manager?”
The Football Association (FA) and Southgate have time to make a decision, with England not scheduled to play again until September 7.
Reports suggest that Southgate already has a new job lined up if he decides to leave his current role. Meanwhile, talkSPORT has compiled a list of potential candidates to replace him.
As the debate continues, the FA must consider their options carefully. Eddie Howe remains a popular choice among fans and pundits, but the allure of high-profile foreign managers like Klopp and Guardiola cannot be ignored.
Ultimately, the decision will hinge on finding a candidate who can build on Southgate’s legacy and lead England to future success.
Shearer’s loyalty to Newcastle United and his desire to keep Eddie Howe at the helm are evident. While the discussion about Southgate’s successor remains speculative, Shearer’s firm stance reflects the sentiment of many Newcastle supporters who recognize Howe’s significant contributions to the club.
As the FA deliberates, the future of England’s national team management remains an intriguing topic for football fans and experts alike.
