Next England Manager Odds: Pep Guardiola Favourite to Replace Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel's bid to end England's 60-year wait for a World Cup final is over, and UK betting sites have reacted with live Next England Manager odds prices appearing.
Argentina edged out England 2-1 in a fierce World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, with Enzo Fernandez levelling before Lautaro Martinez headed in a late winner from a Lionel Messi cross.
England had led through Anthony Gordon, but a game that started as disciplined defensive work unravelled in the closing stages as Tuchel's side searched desperately for an equaliser.
It's the nation's fourth semi-final defeat since 1990, and while there is no indication Tuchel is set to leave his post, punters have wasted no time speculating on who might succeed him.
Tuchel signed a contract extension before the tournament, running through to Euro 2028, but the deal is understood to include performance clauses that give the FA scope to make a change without a hefty payout should results fall short.
A semi-final exit represents a stronger showing than some expected, and the FA had previously signalled its intention to stick with the German barring a genuinely catastrophic tournament - but that hasn't stopped the odds market moving.
At Free Bets, we take a look at the leading names being discussed as replacements for Tuchel, should the FA ever decide to make a change.
Next England Manager Odds
Below is how the market currently reads.
| Candidate | Next England Manager Odds |
| Pep Guardiola | 5/2 |
| Eddie Howe | 10/3 |
| Mauricio Pochettino | 7/1 |
| Lee Carsley | 15/2 |
| Graham Potter | 11/1 |
| Frank Lampard | 12/1 |
Odds correct as of Wednesday, 15 July, 10:30pm - courtesy of Betfair
Pep Guardiola
The clear favourite left Manchester City at the end of last season after a decade in charge, walking away as the club's most successful manager ever with 20 major trophies to his name.
Guardiola has been open about wanting a break rather than jumping straight into another job, saying he has "no absolute plan" for his future and won't be training again "for a while."
He remains a City Football Group global ambassador.
The romantic appeal for England fans is obvious, given his pedigree.
Still, there's been no indication he's actively considering international management, and his own comments suggest patience will be required from anyone hoping to appoint him.
Eddie Howe
The most realistic English name in the conversation remains under contract at Newcastle United, where he's transformed the club into regular top-four contenders.
Howe has previously spoken warmly about the England job in the abstract, and his reputation for squad-building and clear tactical identity would appeal to an FA looking for continuity of approach.
Newcastle's own ambitions - and his long-term deal at St James' Park - make any approach far from straightforward, but he remains the leading home-grown contender whenever this conversation starts.
Mauricio Pochettino
The USA head coach guided the co-hosts through this World Cup on home soil, and question marks over his next move persist as a result.
Pochettino has a Premier League pedigree from his Tottenham and Chelsea spells and worked closely with several current England players during his time at Spurs.
He's widely expected to explore club opportunities once his USA tenure concludes, but nothing is confirmed, and there's no current substantive link to the England job specifically.
Lee Carsley
The internal option remains contracted to the FA as England Under-21s head coach until 2027, having previously taken interim charge of the senior side before Tuchel's appointment.
Carsley knows the pathway, the players and the FA's structures intimately, making him the lowest-risk option if a swift appointment was ever required.
His lack of senior club management experience continues to count against him as a genuine long-term candidate.
Graham Potter
Potter is no longer the free agent he once was in these conversations - he's been manager of Sweden since October 2025 and signed a contract extension through to 2030 earlier this year after guiding them to this World Cup.
His reputation for progressive, front-foot football at Brighton remains well-regarded, even after a difficult spell at Chelsea.
His current commitment to Sweden, freshly extended, makes him a longer-shot outsider rather than an obvious frontrunner right now.
Frank Lampard
The former England international has also moved out of the picture for now, having led Coventry City to the Championship title and signed a new three-year deal at the club through to 2029 at the end of June.
Lampard's playing pedigree and understanding of the England set-up count in his favour whenever his name comes up, but with a fresh long-term commitment at Coventry, he looks a sentimental outsider rather than a serious contender at this stage.
