England's journey under Gareth Southgate has opened new doors for the FA in manager search

No-one should forget that almost stumbled into their best manager for a generation.

was in charge of the under-21s and insisted in June 2016 that he did not want the England job - only then to change his mind. That came after England’s humiliating exit from Euro 2016, Roy Hodgson quit on his stool after the Iceland defeat and the Football Association were left reeling and looking for a successor.

Southgate was reluctant at first, did not want to be seen as a “yes man”, wanted to do the job on his terms and did it brilliantly as England reached the finals of two Euros and a World Cup semi final. That has set a high standard and perhaps is even a little intimidating for someone like even though there are obvious similarities to Southgate.

Southgate took it on a temporary basis, it could have gone either way and he grew into the job. The difference now is that England are in such a better place. They have a better generation of players, are genuine contenders at tournaments and they are in a position now where they can recruit a big name at the top of his game.

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England should be an attractive proposition to a Pep Guardiola or Thomas Tuchel whereas it always felt that with Fabio Capello back in the day that he just took the job for a pay day. Sven Goran Eriksson reached three quarter finals in a row but could not go any further.

Should it matter if the next manager is English? I've changed my mind on this - and changed again. I used to think not, then I think it should be someone who has come through the St George's Park system and now I am back to thinking it should be the best man for the job. We cannot let this generation pass by.

Now, with the right leadership, England’s men’s team can win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. It feels as if people want to scream at Carsley and ask: “Why don’t you want the job?!” The reality is that it is a big job and it should go to someone who not only really wants it but feels they can embrace it and succeed in it.

In many ways Carsley is a better candidate than Southgate was. He won the under-21s European Championships. But Southgate had - and still has - a much higher profile. Carsley is a nice guy, he speaks well and is almost too open and honest for his own good. He has tied himself up in knots and if the remit was to win all six Nations League games and say the right thing… well, it has not worked out like that this week.

The defeat to Greece, Carsley playing his own game of Hokey Cokey - in, out, in, out, he’s shaken it all about - has perhaps underlined the view he is not quite ready.

Maybe Carsley will go back to the under-21s or maybe he will get a new role with the new manager. Either way, there is enough there to suggest he has potential and right now England need the finished article rather than potential.

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