In a surprising turn of events, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and former Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel have been linked to the England national team job.
The Football Association is reportedly considering Guardiola as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate, with the Spaniard's contract at the Etihad Stadium set to expire next summer.
Guardiola, who has previously expressed interest in managing at the World Cup, boasts an impressive trophy haul with City, including the Champions League, six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and four League Cups.
Tuchel, currently a free agent, is also understood to be in the frame.
These high-profile foreign coaches could bring a wealth of experience and tactical acumen to the Three Lions, potentially elevating England's chances on the international stage.
However, this potential shift towards foreign management has reignited a debate sparked by football pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
Both have previously advocated for an English manager to lead the national team.
Neville, speaking to Sky Sports, emphasised the importance of promoting domestic talent: "Moving to St George's Park was to promote and develop English coaches.
"To take that away from an English manager and give it to an international manager would be wrong."
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Carragher echoed this sentiment, drawing from his own experiences: "I was involved in those times under Sven [Goran-Eriksson] and Fabio Capello – it wasn't great. Not a patch on what Gareth Southgate's done."
Their stance reflects a desire to nurture homegrown managerial talent and maintain a distinctly English identity at the helm of the Three Lions.
Despite their preference for an English manager, both Neville and Carragher acknowledge the quality of top foreign coaches.
Neville conceded, "You can't dismiss Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, sensational managers like that."
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However, he stressed the need to develop English coaching talent, stating, "English coaching has a long way to go to catch up with the other great nations."
Carragher, while recognising the impact of foreign managers on the Premier League, argued that England's status demands domestic leadership.
He pointed out that other major footballing nations like Italy, Spain, and Germany don't employ foreign managers.
Both pundits emphasised the unique nature of international football, with Carragher noting, "International football is knockout football," suggesting that club success doesn't necessarily translate to international triumphs.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have had their say on the England job
PA
The potential appointment of Guardiola or Tuchel presents a compelling dilemma for English football.
On one hand, their world-class credentials and tactical brilliance could propel the Three Lions to new heights on the international stage.
Their success in club football is undeniable, with Guardiola's City achieving unprecedented domestic dominance.
On the other hand, the appointment of a foreign manager could hinder the development of homegrown coaching talent, a concern shared by many, including Neville and Carragher.
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Thomas Tuchel might be the frontrunner for the England job
PA
The unique challenges of international football, as highlighted by Carragher, suggest that club success may not guarantee triumph in major tournaments.
As the FA contemplates this crucial decision, they must weigh the allure of immediate success against the long-term benefits of nurturing English managerial talent.
