England interim head coach Lee Carsley emerges as a strong contender to succeed Gareth Southgate as the FA begin process of appointing new permanent boss – with Eddie Howe and Graham Potter also in the running

The Football Association have begun the process of discussing the permanent England head coach vacancy with external candidates.

Current interim boss Lee Carsley is emerging as a strong contender to replace Gareth Southgate following his promotion from the Under-21s after making an impressive start to his temporary spell in charge.

But Mail Sport understands that, as part of their process to appoint a new full-time boss, the FA have started sounding out candidates outside of the governing body’s umbrella.

The FA are refusing to comment on the process or identity of the candidates included in their search for Southgate’s successor but Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe is understood to be a lead candidate.

Graham Potter is another English coach the governing body are believed to have considered since Southgate’s departure.

The FA have started the process of appointing the successor to former boss Gareth Southgate

Lee Carsley is believed to be a strong contender to take the role after two matches as interim

Eddie Howe (left) is understood to be a lead candidate for the England job while Graham Potter (right) is also believed to be in the running

Foreign candidates of interest would include Jurgen Klopp, who is currently not believed to be interested in the role, Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel.

Mauricio Pochettino also had support at the FA, but he has taken over the USA national side.

Carsley, though, has strengthened his claims to replace Southgate on a permanent basis with two promising wins as England got their Nations League campaign off to a 100 percent start with victories over Ireland and Finland.

And there is a view that if he can win all six of his initial matches in charge that he would be the clear front-runner to takeover.

Meanwhile, Southgate has revealed he may return to work outside of football as he continues his hiatus after leaving the job he filled for eight years after Euro 2024.

‘I’ve got lots of opportunities, I’m very open-minded to what’s next,’ he told Sky News.

Jurgen Klopp is a foreign candidate of interest but is not believed to be interested in the job

Thomas Tuchel (left) and Pep Guardiola (right) could prove tough to convince to take the role 

England have taken victory in both of their two fixtures under Carsley without conceding

‘That might be in football, that might be outside of football. I’m just going to take some time, refresh, recharge and go from there.

‘I think at the moment people know that I need to get my energy back.’