But should the manager be English? It is a moment of devastation for England’s football fans — but it is also a time for hope, as Southgate resigns the top role. Some say Jurgen Klopp is just "Ger-man" for the job.
'Klopp at any cost' campaign builds
But should the manager be English? It is a moment of devastation for England's football fans - but it is also a time for hope, as Southgate resigns the top role. Some say Jurgen Klopp is just "Ger-man" for the job.
It was a day of national tragedy. One journalist England were "destined to be losers".1 The headlines read "Heartbreak, again" and "The Lions weep tonight."2 England fans travelled home across the country with tears streaming down their faces after England's 11th Euro failure.
What a mess - or, as the Germans call it, a Kuddelmuddel.3 It was no surprise when Southgate decided to stand down, glumly pronouncing that "as a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to manage England".
In a spark of irony, the next manager may not be an Englishman at all. From Gary Lineker to Richard Keys, football devotees are clamouring for Southgate to be replaced by none other than legendary German manager Jurgen Klopp.
Why not have a German manager? Some say the foundation of our personalities is the same. Crucially, we are two of the most football-crazy countries in the world.4
But they have had a little more to celebrate than us when it comes to the beautiful game. Germany has won three European championships, a close second to frontrunner Spain's four, and four FIFA World Cups.
Perhaps Gary Lineker summarised it best when he said "football is a simple game - 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes, and at the end, the Germans always win".
By comparison, our men's football team under English managers has never achieved glory.
But not everyone is so Klopptimistic. Brazil, France and Italy, some of the world's best footballing nations, have only ever won big with native managers.
There are strong arguments for a non-native manager: Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch football manager led England's Lionesses to a decisive win in the Women's 2022 UEFA Euro - our only ever Euro victory.
But should the manager be English?
Yes: We need somebody who understands England's relationship with football and our highly individual style of play. We will not find that in somebody who was raised in a different culture, however similar it might be to ours.
No: Clearly, English managers are not bringing us sporting success. We need to start reaching further afield, and where better than Germany, with its history of football triumph?
Or... Football is all about bringing different cultures together and engaging in exchange. We might benefit from having an outsider's perspective.
‘Klopp at any cost’ campaign builds
