‘Under pressure’ - Eddie Howe snubbed as former Newcastle United star gives England verdict
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is among the front-runners to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager
Former Newcastle United and Liverpool forward John Barnes has backed Graham Potter to become the new England manager.
Ex-Brighton boss Potter has emerged as one of the prime candidates to succeed Gareth Southgate. Likewise, the Magpies have been thrown into the spotlight, with Eddie Howe also among the contenders.
The FA outlined in a statement last week that the new manager’s goal will be to “win a major tournament” following Euro 2024 heartbreak. By the time the next World Cup comes around, England will have gone 60 years without silverware.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Three Lions legend Barnes tipped Potter - not Howe - to take the England hot seat. He said: "Graham Potter, that's what he did at Brighton. If you talk about creating an identity and a system of play, the two examples are Guardiola and Klopp.
“(They have) completely different, completely different styles of play, but equally as good. He wants hardworking midfield players, and Pep wants good technical players, but every player has to understand their role within the team - they don't just pick the best players.
“I think Graham Potter could do the same. The problem he would then have, being the manager of England and being English, is what we demand as the press and as a country is to include the best players.
“They'll say, 'Why's he not playing?' and 'Why's he not playing?'. Unless you're going to win by doing that and be given time to do that, and maybe pick the best players for his system that are not the best players available, then he'll be under pressure."