Along with Eddie Howe, Graham Potter is the latest manager to be added to the long list of managers who have not been contacted by the Football Association of England about the head coach position. On Wednesday, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott claimed that the organisation had interviewed “approximately 10 coaches,” including “some English candidates,” prior to appointing Thomas Tuchel. However, it is believed that at least seven of the most qualified domestic coaches were not contacted by the FA. On Friday afternoon, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti denied that he was asked to interview for the position. Potter, according to reliable sources, was not contacted about the position.
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
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.’
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