The FA are on the lookout for the next England manager after Gareth Southgate’s departure, but Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has already spoken on who he feel could fill the role.
Southgate’s eight-year spell in charge of the Three Lions has now concluded after his fourth tournament at the helm of the national team.
The 53-year-old became England boss back in 2016 and led the Three Lions to the semi-final stage of the 2018 World Cup, losing 2-1 to Croatia.
Southgate became the first England boss to lead the national team to final since 1966 at Euro 2020, which of course was delayed a year to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, England ended up losing on penalties to Italy following a 1-1 draw, and this was followed up with an exit at the quarter-final stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar against eventual finalists France.
And Southgate led England to back-to-back European Championship finals this summer in Germany, only for the Three Lions to lose 2-1 to Spain, who had been the tournament’s standout team.
Cole Palmer came off the bench to level after Nico Williams put Spain ahead at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, but as full-time approached, Mikel Oyarzabal netted a late winner to seal a fourth Euros title for the Spanish and ensure England’s wait for a trophy since 1966 goes on
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Alexander-Arnold was part of Southgate’s final England squad, starting the tournament as a central midfielder before being dropped in favour of Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, who himself was then replaced by Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.
In his club career, Alexander-Arnold was brought into the Liverpool team by Jurgen Klopp back in 2016, who himself has stepped down as Anfield boss after nearly a decade in charge, and has been succeeded by Arne Slot.
And Alexander-Arnold believes his former boss on Merseyside would be welcome as the Three Lions boss, though he also admits he would be surprised to see Klopp become the new England manager.
Speaking to the Mirror, Alexander-Arnold said: “I enjoyed every moment I worked with him, we shared amazing memories, forged an amazing relationship, an amazing bond. So of course if that were to happen, we would pick up where we left off.
“I would be surprised if he did take it. It was clear when he announced when he was leaving, the conversations I have had with him, everything on social media, he seems to be enjoying his time off, so it would be a huge surprise.”
On Southgate, the Liverpool man added: “I can only be thankful for every opportunity I have been given and the memories that we have shared. I do think Gareth is underrated.
“I think the England manager’s job is one of the hardest jobs there is. You will always be judged, there is always speculation, people always have their opinions.
“But the way he has driven the team and the environment for the players is there for everyone to see. There was unity, everyone came together as a team, but every manager does come in for criticism. The way he dealt with it was incredible and yet again, he got us to a final.”