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Soccer

England legend names his choice for next England manager, but is aware of fans expectations

Ash Rose
England legend names his choice for next England manager, but is aware of fans expectations(C)Taisei Iwamoto
Who is the best fit to follow Gareth Southgate?

John Barnes is giving his backing to Graham Potter as the next England manager. 

Potter is among a number of names who have been linked with the job since Gareth Southgate decided to end his eight-year reign following England's defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024. 

Eddie Howe, Lee Carsely and Mauricio Pochettino have also been seen as leading contenders to replace Southgate, but talking to Sky Sports, the England legend believes Potter would be able to create an identity with the current Three Lions squad. 

"Graham Potter, that's what he did at Brighton," Barnes said. 

"If you talk about creating an identity and a system of play, the two examples are Guardiola and Klopp. Completely different, completely different styles of play, but equally as good. He wants hardworking midfield players, and Pep wants good technical players, but every player has to understand their role within the team - they don't just pick the best players. 

"I think Graham Potter could do the same. The problem he would then have, being the manager of England and being English, is what we demand as the press and as a country is to include the best players.

"They'll say, 'Why's he not playing?' and 'Why's he not playing?', and unless you're going to win by doing that and be given time to do that, and maybe pick the best players for his system that are not the best players available, then he'll be under pressure." 

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