Football fans in Lincoln have backed interim England manager Lee Carsley to be given the job full time – although some would like a bigger name.
The Football Association is currently searching for someone to lead the men’s national team permanently after Gareth Southgate resigned from the post this summer.
But on the streets of Lincoln this week there was much support for Carsley – who has won two games while in charge temporarily – to be given the job full time.
Thomas Hicks, a 30-year-old Spurs fan, said: “He should be given a shot as he’s shown a lot of promise in his results so far… I’ll get behind anyone – as long as it’s not Gerrard, Lampard or Rooney.”
Olly Worthington, also a Spurs fan, aged 22, said: “To be honest I would probably like to keep Lee Carsley – as long as he keeps the results up”.
And Aaron, a 36-year-old police officer, added: “It should be Lee Carsley as he coaches new squads, knows the players inside out and has got a lot of connections.”
Other names were thrown in the hat, too.
Ian Round, 74 and a Man United fan, said: “I’d like Eddie Howe. He’s done well for Newcastle and shown his managerial skills. I don’t think he would win the world cup, though.”
Graham Lake, 65 and a Sunderland supporter, said: “I’d go for Jurgen Klopp as he’s used to big egos and difficult players. He won’t win the world cup but England can’t win in anything – not just football.”
Toby Bennett, a 19-year-old student, said: “The next England manager should be Pep [Guardiola]. With the stuff that he’s achieved, he knows the ins-and-outs of English football, so he probably knows what it means to the English fans.”
But Will Bartle, a 29-year-old tattoo artist, meanwhile, had a rather left-field suggestion. “I would pick David Beckham because I looked up to him when I was younger,” he said.