FA Technical Director insists next England manager doesn't need to be English
The Football Association's technical director, John McDermott, has stated that nationality may not be a determining factor for the role of the next England manager.
"I think we need to get the best person for the job to help the English players that are there," McDermott said.
"All my life, I have always thought: what is in the best interests of the players? And if he’s English, fantastic."
While McDermott acknowledged the importance of understanding English players, football, and culture, he emphasised that the next manager should be the most inspiring and best person to lead the players.
“I think realistically they would have to understand English players and English football and the English psyche and probably have worked over here and be immersed in the culture. But I would want to make sure it’s the most inspiring and best person to lead our players.”
When discussing Gareth Southgate's future, McDermott revealed that the current England manager will play a role in selecting his successor.
"Gareth and I speak every day...we’re constantly speaking about players and constantly speaking about coaches who impress us," McDermott stated. The technical director did not rule out the possibility of Southgate extending his contract beyond its current term, which expires at the end of 2024.
While McDermott highlighted the significance of Southgate's role in shaping the future, he also recognized the manager's ability to handle political and social issues.
McDermott stressed that the next England manager should have the capacity to address such matters alongside sporting responsibilities: “I think that ability to be immersed in the English game and what it means to answer these questions – I think a lot of coaches in the club game are having to deal with this too: what it means to be the mouthpiece for their club,” he said.
Regarding Southgate's potential contract extension, McDermott expressed confidence in the manager's commitment to the team. "I think he has made a commitment at the end of the World Cup; he is a 100 per cent authentic in wanting to do the right thing for the team.
“At the moment it’s not a contract issue. I think Gareth is very sensible and very much trying to feel, not just from our point of view, but is he the right [person], is this the right thing for him?
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"But, at the moment and the rebound after France game [with wins against Italy and Ukraine in the Euro qualifiers], thankfully, I think he’s in a really good place.”
McDermott also spoke about England's World Cup exit in Qatar, claiming: “I think there is, based on evidence, a genuine feeling that [tournament] should have been ours, that could have been ours. I don’t think that’s hubris or an arrogance based without substance, I do think it’s an authentic belief.”
While the Football Association aims to find the best candidate to guide the English players, McDermott also mentioned the importance of succession planning.
He noted that the next England manager does not necessarily have to come through the FA system, citing multiple pathways to becoming the head coach.