Southgate, Howe or Wenger? Who could replace Sam Allardyce as England’s next permanent manager?

Sam Allardyce leave his home in Bolton. Photo: Dave Howarth/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

Yesterday The FA and Sam Allardyce agreed to the termination of his contract by mutual consent after a newspaper investigation claimed the former England boss offered advice on how to get around player transfer rules and that he used his position to negotiate a £400,000 deal to represent a Far East firm.

The affair comes just days before Allardyce was due to name his squad for games next month.

Now, just 67 days after last appointing a man to lead England, the governing body for football in this country is looking for its new figurehead.

Here we take a look at some of the people who may be in the frame (all odds from SkyBet, correct at 10am, September 28).

Hull City manager Steve Bruce (Image: PA Wire)

Steve Bruce (2/1)

Along with Allardyce, Bruce was one of the names being bandied around to replace Roy Hodgson just two months ago.

At that time he was manager of Hull City, but he left the club the same day Allardyce signed his England contract.

Now his name is back in the mix as one of the favourites to get the job – though as a former Norwich City defender, he may not be every Ipswich fan’s first choice.

File photo dated 05-09-2016 of England U21 manager Gareth Southgate. Photo: Simon Cooper/PA Wire. (Image: PA Wire)

Gareth Southgate (6/4)

Quickly installed as caretaker manager following Allardyce’s departure, the former Middlesbrough boss has been part of the national set-up for some time.

He has been manager of the under-21 side since 2013 and had a 57-cap career playing for England’s senior team over a period of nine years.

With many fans wanting to see an English manager take control of the national side, Southgate is also a one of the bookmakers’ leading contenders.

Hull City manager Steve Bruce (Image: PA Wire)

Eddie Howe (8/1)

The young (by managerial standards) Bournemouth boss has been impressing the football world for some time now after leading the south coast side up through the divisions to the Premier League (as well as taking charge at Burnley for a brief spell).

A former defender, like Bruce and Southgate, Howe has been praised for sticking to his footballing principles since taking Bournemouth into the top flight, and Gary Lineker even suggested he could be the “English special one”, referencing Jose Mourinho’s famous line.

Despite the well-worn phrase ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ it might be Howe’s age (he’s 38) counts against him when The FA comes to choosing its man.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger during a training session at London Colney, London. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

Arsene Wenger (10/1)

Definitely not English, but currently the Premier League’s longest-serving manager (and, incidentally, Arsenal’s), Wenger has been linked to the England job before.

Rumours surrounding his future at Arsenal seem to have been going on for years but that doesn’t seem to have affected him in the slightest.

However the chance to manage a national team, especially England where he has lived for two decades now, could be attractive enough to lure him away from the Emirates Stadium.

Significant others

Glenn Hoddle (6/1): He’s done it before – could he do it again? His 60% win rate is one of the best of any England manager (only Sir Alf Ramsey, Fabio Capello and Allardyce beat this, though of course the latter only managed one game), but will the controversial comments he made about disabled people which led to his dismissal by The FA in 1999 count him out?

Alan Pardew (8/1): Currently managing Crystal Palace with a fairly steady win rate of 44.7%, Pardew guided them to the FA Cup final last season. However he is another whose past controversies – including headbutting Hull City’s David Meyler while Newcastle United manager – might preclude him from becoming England manager, especially with The FA presumably now wanting to find a whiter than white man to led the national side.

David Beckham (66/1): National hero, but no managerial experience. Definitely an outside bet. Would certainly bring sartorial elegance to the role, though.

Jose Mourinho (40/1): Sir Bobby Robson former translator has done pretty well for himself, and would probably see the England job as an attractive proposition. Just a few months into his role at Manchester United though might mean it’s all come at the wrong time for Jose.