Friday 30 September 2016 08:35, UK
We asked the Soccer Saturday pundits to predict who the FA will appoint as the next England manager following Sam Allardyce's departure.
Gareth Southgate has been installed the 6/5 favourite in Sky Bet's next England manager market after being appointed on as caretaker boss for the next four international fixtures, with Arsene Wenger, Steve Bruce and Glenn Hoddle linked with the permanent role.
Ralf Rangnick is second favourite at 2/1 after Sky sources revealed the FA is keen to speak to former Schalke coach.
Here's who the Soccer Saturday pundits expect to be appointed...
Phil Thompson says
"As I've said before, there's a lack of top class home-grown managers but I would like it to be somebody English and I would like Gareth Southgate to commit himself to the cause.
"Okay he hasn't managed one of the top clubs but he's done well with the Under 21s and I think it would be good for the continuity for the English game.
"I want him to put himself forward for the job and if not then I think somebody else should be running the Under 21s that is being groomed for the senior job.
"I do think he would be a good manager. He's a good talker, there's a lot of players coming through from his under-21 group and if he's got two years of learning in this qualifying campaign, which shouldn't be difficult to navigate through, he'll gain enough experience to lead us to the World Cup."
Thommo's pick: Gareth Southgate (6/5 favourite with Sky Bet)
Matt Le Tissier says
"There is no outstanding English candidate right now. I think we have three permanent English managers in the Premier League and that's it.
"Would you want Alan Pardew given his erratic management record? And then it's Eddie Howe, who I think would admit it is too soon for him, and Sean Dyche, who is only managing his second season in the top-flight.
"You're then looking at options who aren't even in a job right now - Steve Bruce, Alan Shearer and Glenn Hoddle.
"I think if they could get Arsene Wenger to do that then I would be happy with that. I'd prefer an Englishman but if we can't get one with the suitable experience then he would be my pick. Perhaps he will leave Arsenal, or perhaps he'll use the England job to negotiate a longer contract with the Gunners."
Le Tiss' pick: Arsene Wenger (4/1 with Sky Bet)
Paul Merson says: Steve Bruce ticks all the boxes. He got interviewed last time, he is not in a job so they won't have to pay £5m-£6m compensation, which can be a waste of money. He's English, a good manager, so he ticks the boxes for me.
Merse's pick: Steve Bruce (9/2 with Sky Bet)
Charlie Nicholas says
"I wouldn't really care usually but as a Scotsman hoping his country can make it out of the same qualifying group I'm now interested.
"The way I see it is asking which manager can really make England into a better side? For me, that man is Glenn Hoddle. I've always been a big fan of him as a manager. We know he made a big mistake but he's the man who can help England.
"Even Sam Allardyce admitted we have a mental problem and Hoddle can help with that in the sense that he gets the technical game but also is great enough to make England better mentally with the way he works with players.
"He's still involved in the game. He had his Spanish set-up and he's aware of how the technical side of the game has evolved in other countries and he's a man of the right age to work with the young lads like Marcus Rashford, Dele Alli and Eric Dier. Whoever gets this job is getting a group at a great age to work with.
"As for the other options, I think Arsenal will renew Arsene Wenger's contract so that is a no-goer in my mind, and Gareth Southgate seems timid about taking the job. I'll watching him with interest to see what he's going to do with this side, but even he isn't convinced he's the man for the job."
Charlie's pick: Glenn Hoddle (10/1 with Sky Bet)
