Manchester United legend Roy Keane sees eye to eye with Paul Scholes over the “best” manager to permanently succeed Gareth Southgate as England head coach.
Gareth Southgate finally called it time on his spell in charge of the Three Lions in the summer after England’s Euro 2024 campaign in Germany.
England reached the final of Euro 2024 before losing 2-1 to Spain, with Southgate failing to deliver the long-awaited silverware that Three Lions fans have wanted.
Southgate led England to two European Championship finals – losing on both occasions – and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
The 54-year-old former England boss, who has been linked with Manchester United in recent months, was in charge of the Three Lions for eight years.
England haven’t won any major silverware on the international stage since their triumph in the 1966 World Cup.
Keane on next England manager pick
England Under-21s manager Lee Carsley was appointed interim boss of the Three Lions after Gareth Southgate stepped down from his role.
Lee Carsley has taken charge of England for the Nations League campaign during both the September and October international breaks.
England have won three and lost once under Carsley in the Nations League, with the Three Lions suffering a 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley last Thursday.
The Three Lions bounced back on Sunday with a 3-1 win over Finland away from home, with England currently trailing Greece by three points in League B Group 2.
Speaking on ITV, Manchester United legend Roy Keane insisted that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is his pick for the next England manager.
“It is [a small pond in which to find Southgate’s successor] but the most important thing is to get the right man,” he said, as per Sky Sports.
“[Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Eddie Howe] they’ve all got a chance. The FA have to go after the right guy, whoever that is.
“Whether finances play a part in it, if Lee [Carsley] rules himself out and isn’t interested… that seems to be the noises coming out… then the FA have to get busy and find the right man.
“Go for Pep [Guardiola]. Go for the best. Pep’s contract is up in the summer.”
What did Scholes say on Guardiola and England?
Pep Guardiola’s long-term future at Manchester City remains uncertain ahead of his contract with the reigning Premier League champions expiring next summer.
Paul Scholes admitted that he would want to see either Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp, who left Liverpool in the summer, become the next England manager.
However, even the 49-year-old United legend admitted that his ‘preferred’ pick would be City boss Guardiola ahead of Jurgen Klopp.
“I’m always one for an Englishman being the England manager, but I’m not sure that persons out there who can win with this group of players who can do better than what Gareth Southgate did,” Scholes said, as per ITV in August.
He continued: “My first choice would be Pep because I think it takes the chances away. I think it’s virtually guaranteed for a coach like Pep with this group of players.
“Jurgen Klopp as well. Again, I still prefer Pep, but I think Jurgen Klopp wouldn’t be a bad one either.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
