Frank Lampard reportedly remains on the Football Association’s radar as they continue their search for the next England manager. The former Chelsea head coach is reportedly on a shortlist drawn up despite Lee Carsley’s promising audition.
Carsley oversaw successive 2-0 victories over the Republic of Ireland and Finland. England impressed in both matches, their first since Gareth Southgate ended his eight-year tenure.
But the FA are reportedly not ruling out going in a different direction once Carsley’s interim spell ends in November. English football chiefs are claimed to have spoken with a number of candidates and are keen to keep their options open over the coming months.
According to the Daily Telegraph, one of those who remain in the frame is the Chelsea and England icon Lampard. The 46-year-old is reportedly on a four-man shortlist separate to the option of appointing Carsley as Southgate’s permanent successor.
Eddie Howe and Graham Potter are also under consideration. Pep Guardiola would be the FA’s ‘dream’ appointment, but it seems unlikely that he can be prised away from Manchester City, even with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Jurgen Klopp has already ruled himself out of the job and insists he will take a year-long sabbatical following his departure from Liverpool. Mauricio Pochettino, who was another early candidate following Southgate’s resignation, has been appointed as head coach of the US men’s national team.
Lampard has not had a managerial job since his second spell at Chelsea ended in May 2023. The former midfielder was placed in a caretaker role following Potter’s departure from Stamford Bridge.
The latter has also not been in work since that ill-fated exit from the Blues in April 2023, although fellow candidate Howe is in charge of Newcastle. The former Bournemouth boss stopped short of ruling himself out of the running for the England job during the summer, though.
Meanwhile, Carsley remains the strong favourite to be appointed as the new Three Lions boss. He is due to oversee their next four matches as caretaker – having stepped up from the under-21s – allowing the FA plenty of time to decide on the right man for the job.
England impressed during their two games under Carsley, although a caveat is that those matches came against weak opposition. The 50-year-old also courted controversy over his decision not to sing God Save The King, something the former Ireland international has also not done during his time in charge of England U21s.
