Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are seen as popular choices for the England manager position, but Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola would likely find the role “boring.”
After England’s Euro final defeat to Spain, Gareth Southgate resigned as manager after nearly eight years. As the Football Association searches for his replacement, former England player Glen Johnson believes Gerrard and Lampard would be well-received by fans despite their lackluster managerial records.
Klopp, formerly of Liverpool, and Manchester City’s Guardiola are considered top candidates, but Johnson thinks neither would be interested in leaving club football for the less frequent action of the international stage.
The former Liverpool defender told Betfred: “I can’t really see either of them [Guardiola and Klopp] being England manager. Both of them wear their hearts on their sleeves, they’re super passionate and ultimately, I believe both of them may find the job a bit boring to be honest.
It’s clear that they both enjoy the day to day work that comes with club management and that’s something they won’t get at international level.
“It would obviously be quite a considerable jump for either of them [Lampard and Gerrard], as they’re early on in their managerial careers, but sometimes you’ve just got to roll the dice.
I’m sure the players would love to have either of them managing them and sometimes you’ve just got to take the risk. If Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard was the England manager, then I believe the fans would love to see that.”
Despite leading England to two Euros finals and a World Cup semi-final, Southgate decided to step down from his role.
He has been the most successful England manager since Sir Alfred Ramsey, who led the team to their 1966 World Cup victory. Replacing Southgate and building on his achievements is a significant challenge.
Among the managers favored to become the next England boss, four stand out as bookmakers’ favorites.
Guardiola, whose contract with City expires in 2025, Gerrard, currently managing Al-Ettifaq, Klopp, who has stepped down as Liverpool manager, and Lampard, who is currently seeking a new position, are all in the running. It remains uncertain who will ultimately succeed Southgate.