Gary Lineker has thrown his support behind Frank Lampard as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate as England manager.
Southgate may step down after Euro 2024, despite the Three Lions reaching the semi-finals for a third time in the last four major tournaments. Lampard has a very mixed record in the Premier League - but Match of the Day presenter Lineker believes he has the tactical acumen and respect from players needed for the job.
The Chelsea legend appeared on the BBC's coverage of England's quarter-final victory over Switzerland, alongside fellow former Premier League stars Rio Ferdinand and Micah Richards. His insights impressed Lineker, who previously criticised Southgate as "tactically inept".
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Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said: "I wouldn't disregard Frank Lampard. I think he tactically gets it. I think the players will respect him immediately. I'm getting ahead of things here. If you're going to go English, you go, like, who else? Eddie Howe? Eddie Howe, possibly?"
Graham Potter is currently leading the race to become the next England manager if Southgate decides to leave his post. The former Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea boss has been lauded for his tactical nous, and being out of work at the moment makes him an uncomplicated choice, reports the Express.
Lampard's potential as a candidate might be questioned by some due to the less than ideal conclusions to his managerial stints at both Chelsea and Everton. Nonetheless, Lineker remarked: "I think he's been a bit unlucky in his managerial career in some ways. I think he gets it tactically."
England could certainly benefit from a strategic boost, especially if Lineker's recent criticism of Southgate's tactical prowess holds any weight. The Three Lions are set to clash with the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals on Wednesday, yet they haven't managed to net more than a single goal in any 90 minutes during the competition so far.
Lampard's punditry also impressed Richards, who argued: "Frank's analysis was about three minutes. And, normally, if someone goes that deep, after maybe two minutes, you've lost interest. But I was glued to it for three minutes. And you can tell he's just got something. He's articulate. The way he explains points. You can tell there's a manager there inside of him."
Continuing his praise, Lineker hailed the segment as he argued: "That three minutes Frank did was amazing." Yet, it's likely that many fans will base their preference for England manager candidates on their track record rather than such speeches.
Richards picked out highlights from each stage of Lampard's coaching history to date. He praised his work at Derby, his ability to keep Chelsea competitive during a transfer ban, and his role in saving Everton from relegation.
But he suggested that Lampard's return stint at Chelsea, where he managed just one win in 11 games, might have left him judged somewhat harshly. Despite positive starts at both Derby and Everton, there's a recognisable trend of departing from clubs under less-than-ideal circumstances.
His first tenure at Chelsea ended with them ninth in the Premier League, and despite saving Everton from relegation, he left them languishing in 19th place the following season. As of now, Southgate hasn't made any announcement about leaving his position nor revealed his plans post-Euro 2024, and his contract is due to end later this year.
Nevertheless, whoever eventually steps into his shoes will face a significant challenge given his eight-year reign and his achievements which have made him England's most successful modern-day manager.
