Prime Minister Theresa May faces a vote in confidence later this evening as a result of her Conservative Party being divided by her EU withdrawal bill.
So, with the Prime Minister’s career being put on the line later tonight, Prost International took a look at four football managers who could potentially do a better job in Number 10 than Mrs May or any of the potential replacements.
Before you read on, we do understand that England and the United Kingdom are not the same thing.
So in order to forestall that obvious point, the article has assumed that Scottish independence is inevitable and already well on its way, and that’s why Sir Alex Ferguson is not considered. Also, he’s in the footballing equivalent of the House of Lords.
Eddie Howe
41-year-old Howe rescued Bournemouth at a time when the Cherries started the season with minus 17 points and seemed destined for relegation out of the Football League. Thanks to the leadership acumen of Jeremy Corbyn, the Tories are not that far behind.
In his second season in charge at the seaside club, Howe guided the Cherries to promotion to League One before departing to take a role at then-Championship side Burnley.
Howe returned to Bournemouth in 2012 and took the Cherries into the Championship at the first attempt under his guidance. Bournemouth enjoyed once season of consolidation in England’s second-tier before being promoted to the Premier League as Champions. With much the same squad, his success at making second tier players into top level players could be valuable, given how quickly cabinet ministers resign these days.
The Cherries have since retained their Premier League status and are beginning to establish themselves as a regular top-flight side. During his two spells as Bournemouth boss, Howe has taken the Club from a period of trouble, pressure and austerity to great levels of success.
How he deals with Europe however remains to be seen.
Sam Allardyce
Aside from his controversial sacking as England manager, Sam Allardyce is one of the more successful Englishmen to have managed in England’s top-flight; therefore, his excellent man management skills would make him a good fit to work at Number 10.
Allardyce was never afraid to drop a player if they were not performing to their best and he was known to walk away from deals if they did not suit his ideology. That skill could be invaluable. His ruthless decision-making led to great levels of respect and admiration from his playing squad.
In addition to the above factors, Allardyce had a successful history in getting the best out of his players. Ross Barkley entered a great spell of form while under the management of Allardyce; meanwhile, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy’s attacking prowess came to fruition when playing for England under Big Sam.
So, imagine what Allardyce could do with a team of ministers working around him in Parliament, rather than resigning every time the Daily Mail called them names.
Gareth Southgate
It was a summer that will go long in the memory of many. The harsh summer heat added to the pure elation when Kieran Tripper’s freekick nestled into the top corner.
Southgate took a struggling England side and turned them into a artistic masterpiece. Playing free-flowing attacking football, the Three Lions gave hope of bringing the Jules Rimet home and their excellent performances under Southgate united the nation as a strong fanbase.
Best of all, England could have continued believing that a trophy invented by a Frenchman and played for in France was actually coming “home”, in the same way we believe we can make the rules for a club we decided to leave. Ecstasy.
Therefore, with the nation divided about the extent of Brexit, or whether Brexit should even continue, surely there is no better person to look at to lead our country then Gareth Southgate who also united the peoples of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland as long as there are no follow-up questions.
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs has had very little experience in management so far but this didn’t stop Theresa May becoming Prime Minister.
He could actually unite the warring factions of Britain as he hails from pro-Brexit Wales but he’d be very popular in ferociously anti-Brexit London because he played for Man United where most of their fans live.
Putting Giggs in charge would also possibly stop Wales leaving the United Kingdom, with the best upside to that being Team GB could still pick Gareth Bale for the Olympics.
He would not be Britain’s first Welsh Prime Minister either. David Lloyd-George was the Liberal PM from 1926-1931. It should be noted however that his party has not had a Prime Minister in the 87 years since. That could be the best reason yet for hoping the Tories appoint Ryan Giggs.