FA chiefs confirmed they were already considering who could replace Southgate, with their eagerness to promote English coaching talent to their top job a stated aim.
England’s run to the Euro 2024 final meant Southgate would have been offered the chance to lead the team into the next World Cup, but he confirmed he was quitting on Tuesday.
Southgate was promoted from his role as England under-21 boss to the senior role in 2016 and now Carsley, their current U-21 boss, is believed to be one of three leading contenders to land the top job.
Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter is strongly fancied, with his availability making any approach less complicated.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is the other leading candidate to take over from Southgate, but the FA would need to pay a release fee to get the 46-year-old out of his current contract.
Carlsey has been mentioned as a contender for the England role for several months, with his strong position at the FA central decision to opt out of the running to replace Stephen Kenny as Ireland boss last November despite talks taking place.
Carsley is perhaps the surprise candidate, but the FA think highly of him. A long stint with the FA has seen him win the European Under-21 Championship last summer.
The former Everton midfielder will be familiar with several names already in England senior team and ready to figure prominently in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup, including Anthony Gordon, Jarrad Branthwaite and Cole Palmer, all of whom featured prominently in last summer’s tournament.x
Who are the contenders to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager?
The 50-year-old was in negotiations to become the Ireland manager last year but decided to remain in charge of the under-21s for one more cycle.
The former Everton midfielder played 40 times for The Boys in Green before beginning a career in management.
Initially as a caretaker for Coventry City in 2012 and 2013, Carsley then moved on to Brentford and took charge of the Bees’ Development Squad from 2014–2015 before a short spell as interim head coach.
But it was his time with Manchester City and the Under-18s where Carsley started to get noticed and after a short spell with Birmingham Under-23s, an opportunity emerged to take over with England Under-20s in 2020.
Carsley soon stepped up to the Under-21s
FA chiefs will be eager to get a new manager in place quickly, but there are suggestions in the English media Carsley could be in place as an interim coach for the Ireland match in September if they want to take more time to consider their options.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been mentioned as a possible contender, but former England player and coach Gary Neville is convinced they will appoint a homegrown manager to replace Southgate.
“You can’t dismiss Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, sensational managers like that but the FA have said they want to develop their own managers for this role,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“English coaching has a long way to go to catch up with the other great nations and we have to work hard and put them in the biggest environments and toughest matches. Give them an opportunity.
The next manager will have to win a trophy to surpass what Gareth has achieved.
“Over the years, we have had every type of manager – the fashionable, the international manager, the best English managers, people who have come through the ranks with youth teams.
“There is no science in terms of what works and there are obvious contenders. Graham Potter and Eddie Howe will get mentioned and I think it will definitely be an English manager.
“Moving to St George’s Park was to promote and develop English coaches. To take that away from an English manager and give to an international manager would be wrong.”
Neville also saluted Southgate despite being among those who criticised his tactics during the Euro 2024 campaign.
“Gareth is right at the very top on the list of England managers,” he added. “If Gareth had won on Sunday, he would have been right up there with him. That is the one thing that will live with Gareth.
“He has created one of the most successful periods in English football history.
“I know players are developed by clubs and academies and they should take credit but you only get the respect you deserve as a nation when those players get to international football and start reaching semi-finals and finals.
“I think English footballers are respected more around the world because of Gareth Southgate.”