For the first time since 2016, Gareth Southgate will not be managing the Three Lions after making the decision to walk away from the role following the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final last month. 

Lee Carsley, who has been named manager on an interim basis, will be taking charge for the upcoming matches between the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the UEFA Nations League, and he named his squad for these two games on Thursday.

But whether Carsley is made a full-time replacement will not be known for the time being as the FA continues its process to find a suitable candidate who could steer England to a first international trophy since 1966. 

A number of names have been suggested by former players to become the new England manager, and when asked by DAZN to make his pick, former England striker Gary Lineker picked one of the best tactical minds in football. 

"Pep Guardiola," Lineker simply stated. 

Guardiola is the dream for England fans, but there are a number of potential obstacles the FA will have to navigate, most notably the salary, but Lineker believes the financial package may not be what could tempt Guardiola away from club management for the first time in his career on the touchline. 

"I don’t think it would be the money that would entice him, I think it would be the thought that he could win something with this incredible group of players," Lineker continued.

"It’s a longshot for me that he might be interested, but he might be and he’s certainly not ruled it out in his press conferences.

"Obviously, he’s being paid an absolute fortune at Manchester City, I’m not sure the FA could compete with that.

"If he did take the job, I don’t think it would be for the money.

"I think it’s highly unlikely, but you never know, Pep will do what he wants to do, and if he wants to manage England, the FA will need to find a way."   

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