Gareth Southgate could reportedly be offered a quick return to football should he leave his role as England boss.
After the Three Lions’ 2-1 Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, talkSPORT understands the FA fear Southgate will step down.
His current deal runs until December but after eight years in charge, he could be set to leave the setup before the 2026 World Cup.
Should he do so, the Daily Mail have reported that he could be set to appear in the TV studio with ITV in the role of a pundit.
Southgate is said to be ‘held in high esteem’ by the broadcaster, who are keen to add him to their coverage ahead of the World Cup.
ITV had pundits including Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Gary Neville as pundits for Euro 2024, as well as Wayne Rooney and Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.
READ MORE ON GARETH SOUTHGATE
Euro 2024 was the former Middlesbrough man’s fourth major tournament in charge of England since he took the role in 2016.
Defeat to Spain also saw them lose back-to-back European Championship finals but he remained coy on his future after the match.
“I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that,” he said. “I need to talk to the right people. It’s not for now.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and former Chelsea boss Graham Potter are both thought to be high on the FA’s list of potential successors.
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England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley is also a potential candidate for the job and would see him earn a promotion like Southgate did.
After taking the Three Lions to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, Southgate went one step further and reached the final of Euro 2020.
They fell to a heart-breaking defeat on penalties before exiting the 2022 World Cup at the quarter-final stage against France.
Southgate had another chance to help England end their 58-year wait for silverware at Euro 2024, but fans expressed their frustrations towards him.
After their 0-0 draw with Slovenia in the group stage, plastic cups were seen thrown at him as he applauded the supporters.
Despite England enduring an underwhelming tournament, they were still on hand to reach the final in Berlin.
Cole Palmer equalised after Nico Williams’ opener but Mikel Oyarzabal scored an 86th minute winner to hand Spain their fourth European Championship.