5 candidates to replace Sam Allardyce as England manager

Modified Sep 27, 2016 08:59 GMT

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: (L-R) Arsene Wenger the Arsenal manager speaks with Sam Allardyce the manager of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the Boleyn Ground on October 6, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) — Arsene Wenger would be perfect as England manager

#4 Louis van Gaal

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Louis van Gaal manager of Manchester United applauds the crowd after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on May 17, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) — Louis van Gaal could be a stangely promising choice as England manager

While it might sound blasphemous to Manchester United fans, Louis van Gaal would be an unusually astute choice by the FA. For all his foibles, Van Gaal was excellent at mentoring young English players like Marcus Rashford, and could do the same with English talent breaking through for the national team.

He has previous with squeezing the best out of a poor national side, guiding an unfancied Netherlands to the semifinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a finish that would please England in 2018. In addition, Van Gaal is familiar with English football, and will have plenty of data on the strengths and weaknesses of the current English players.

However, Van Gaal comes with plenty of baggage – the English press was merciless when he was Manchester United manager, and that will be greatly amplified if he is England boss. With England looking dour going forward, Van Gaal’s possession style of play might frustrate plenty of English fans as well.

Edited by Staff Editor