Graham Potter has joined Eddie Howe on an expansive list of managers who have not been interviewed by the Football Association of the England head coach’s job.
On Wednesday it was claimed by FA chief executive Mark Bullingham that – together with technical director John McDermott – the organisation has interviewed ‘approximately 10 coaches’ which included ‘some English candidates’ before appointing Thomas Tuchel.
However, it is understood at least seven of the most suitable home-grown coaches were not interviewed by the FA.
On Friday afternoon, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti also denied he was approached for the job.
Potter, according to well-placed sources, was not interviewed for the role.
German coach Thomas Tuchel was appointed as the new England boss earlier this week
FA CEO Mark Bullingham (second left) said ‘approximately 10 coaches’ were interviewed
But Newcastle’s Eddie Howe was one of seven English coaches not to be interviewed by the FA
Mail Sport revealed on Thursday that Howe, arguably the most suitable English candidate, was not interviewed, news the Newcastle boss confirmed on Friday.
Howe was asked if he was among those spoken to, and said: ‘I was not. There was no contact from the FA. England have to do what is right for them.
‘Only they will know the processes they have gone through. For me it is about Newcastle. I remain 100 per cent focused to my work, if you drop focus the job becomes impossible.’
Sean Dyche, Frank Lampard, Gary O’Neil, Steve Cooper and Russell Martin are among the British coaches who have also not been interviewed.
Real Madrid boss Ancelotti was also asked whether he was a candidate and answered: ’No. I didn’t hear from the English national team at all.
‘They’ve chosen a very good coach, in my opinion. He’s very strong tactically and he has proven so throughout his whole career. I wish him the best.’
Mail Sport reported earlier this week that Pep Guardiola was sounded out over the role in the close season.
Graham Potter joined Howe on an expansive list of English managers who weren’t interviewed
Frank Lampard was also among the other English coaches who weren’t spoken to by the FA
Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he had not been approached
Manchester City boss Guardiola avoided the issue when speaking when Friday.
While a number of the aforementioned managers, or representatives, would likely have initially been sounded out over the previous England vacancy, Mail Sport’s information with regards to those who weren’t interviewed does raise question marks over the FA’s recruitment process.
Speaking on Thursday, Everton boss Dyche said: ‘They mentioned approximately 10, I don’t know how it is approximately.
‘It is either 10 or it is not. I was quite intrigued by that. Out of the 10, I would imagine there have been some English or British coaches. I don’t know. I certainly wasn’t (interviewed) – not that I asked to be.’
