FA to consider Sarina Wiegman as replacement for England boss Gareth Southgate

Sarina Wiegman could take over from Gareth Southgate as manager of the England Men's team, according to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.

The Dutch coach, who will lead England into the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, has had such an impressive stint in charge of the Lionesses that she could soon history by becoming the first ever female manager in men's international football.

Southgate's contract expires after Euro 2024 next summer and the general feeling is that he won't sign an extension, even if he wins the tournament. And although the FA aren't short on male replacement candidates, Wiegman has forced her way into consideration after overseeing the most successful period in the history of the England Women's team.

"People always say it is the best man for the job or the best Englishman," Bullingham said on Thursday. "Why does it have to be a man?

READ MORE: Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman 'in line for damehood' if England win Women's World Cup

"I think our answer is always: 'it's the best person for the job.' We think Sarina is doing a great job and hope she continues doing it for a long time. I think Sarina could do anything she wants in football.

"If at some point in the future she decides she wants to move into the men's game, that would be a really interesting discussion, but that's for her, right?

"I don't think we should view it as a step up. If she decides at some point in the future to go in a different direction, I think she's perfectly capable of that."

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Wiegman was appointed Lionesses boss in September 2021 following five years as head coach of the Netherlands' Women's team. She's lost just one of her 38 matches with England, and led the team to glory last summer at Euro 2022.

The likes of Graham Potter, Steve Cooper, Frank Lampard and Southgate's assistant Steve Holland have been touted as potential successors to the Three Lions' waistcoated wonder, though none of them are standout candidates, which could open the door for Wiegman – and one of the most fascinating appointments in football history.

No woman has ever been appointed as manager of a men's team in senior football, though Hannah Dingley was briefly in caretaker charge of League Two side Forest Green Rovers over the summer.

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