BEN WHITE is considering a shock return to the England national team set up following the departure Gareth Southgate, according to reports.
The Arsenal star sensationally ruled himself out of international selection in March after a speculated fall out with assistant coach Steve Holland.
It was widely reported that White had decided to turn his back on the Three Lions and did not want to be considered for selection.
Southgate admitted he would consider White again if he had a change of heart, but the 26-year-old never did.
The controversy came in the wake of an alleged bust-up between White and Holland during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But, according to the Daily Star, White is now considering a return to the fold following the departures of Southgate and Holland.
The defender fell out with Holland after a ‘pointed remark’ – and left the England camp during the tournament to return home.
He was never picked again – despite being one of the most consistent full-backs in the Premier League.
In March, it was revealed that the rift between the pair was sparked by Holland questioning White’s interest in football.
Southgate’s assistant reportedly asked Kyle Walker a question related to Manchester City ‘s performances in the previous season, before posing the same question to White in regards to Arsenal.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
White allegedly claimed he did not know the answer, leading Holland to state that was down to his lack of interest in football.
The Arsenal defender had previously reported – and since reiterated -that he doesn’t watch football and didn’t when he was growing up.
Nonetheless, White is a top drawer player and has impressed under Mikel Arteta for the last two title-chasing Premier League campaigns.
As such, the news of his U-turn will be a huge boost to whoever the FA decide to pick as Southgate’s replacement.
The front runner is Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who confirmed his commitment to St James’ Park this week.
England Under-21s manager Lee Carsley, as well as former Chelsea managers Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino, is also in the frame.
I’VE a message for all those who reckon the search for England’s next manager is a two-horse race — you’re bang on!
And while we’re at it, here’s another… I bet very few of you have narrowed it down to the same couple of candidates as me.
If the odds are spot-on, finding Gareth Southgate’s replacement is a toss-up between Eddie Howe and Graham Potter.
Well in my book it’s a straight head-to-head, too. But I’m even more convinced that the men I see as obvious front-runners will be lucky to even get an interview.
I doubt there are many who’d agree with me either, when I say the FA should look no further than Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard for the next Three Lions boss.
Either of them could do the job standing on their head, yet probably neither will get so much as a phone call.
Mind you, plenty of people will insist there’s no reason why they should because they’ve already written off both as failures.
Forgetting that Frank reached an FA Cup final and finished fourth in his first spell at Chelsea.
Or the fact that Everton were in such a mess, he never had a prayer when he went there.
There’s every chance they’ll gloss over Stevie’s time at Rangers, despite their first title win in a decade — unbeaten as well — and say he was a flop at Aston Villa.
But you show me a manager who’s not had a tough time of it somewhere down the line. Potter certainly did at Chelsea — he only lasted 31 games and lost 11 of them.
So did Unai Emery, the man who replaced Stevie as boss at Villa, when he was Arsenal manager. It happens to everyone out there.
So what’s the difference between Potter and Frank?
Why is one an obvious candidate for England, yet the other not even worthy of a mention?
Nothing against Eddie or Graham, by the way. Eddie’s doing well enough at Newcastle without absolutely tearing it up.
And Potter did a good job at Brighton before Chelsea but he had good recruitment and was working with good players.
Look at some of the names he had and where they ended up.
Alexis Mac Allister won the World Cup and went to Liverpool. Leandro Trossard is at Arsenal, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo joined Chelsea, Yves Bissouma is with Tottenham.
There’s no doubt Potter or Howe would be a safe pair of hands. A steady Eddie. Just like Gareth was eight years ago — which is why they will probably get a chance.
But if the FA want someone steeped in football knowledge — at international level too — and who knows the game inside out at that level, both Frank and Stevie leave them standing.
The players would love it as well. They’d be desperate to play for them.
They would have nothing but respect whether it was Lampard or Gerrard as boss.
So, are they both on the scrapheap for good because they’ve had a failure somewhere down the line? There won’t be any managers left before long if that’s all it takes.
And here’s another thing as well. While you need a thick skin to be a club manager, it’s not a patch on the one demanded at international level.
That goes for players — certainly the senior ones — as well. And Stevie and Frank could tell you all about that better than most.
Some of the stuff Frank had to put up with back in the day was horrendous, horrible stuff.
It was the same for Gerro, especially when he was captain.
But the pair of them stood up and came through it. And that’s the sort of character you want and need as England manager.
It’s not about being a fantastic coach. When do you really get the chance to prove that with England? You don’t.
You’re not out there every day doing shape, shadow play and the like. For one thing you tend to pick the team at the last minute because you don’t want it leaking out!
It’s about managing, not coaching and there is a difference. It’s about picking the best players in the right positions.
It’s about attacking and being positive — and in my book, nothing would be more positive than giving Stevie or Frank a call.
But I’d be very surprised if anyone at the FA even picks up the phone and dials their numbers.
