VIDEO: Graham Potter quizzed over vacant England job as former Chelsea boss heaps praise on Gareth Southgate

The 49-year-old coach has been without a job for 15 months since his dismissal from Chelsea after a brief seven-month stint at Stamford Bridge. And after Southgate stepped down following England's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, Potter has emerged as a favourite to take over the role.

‘Today’s not the day to talk about that,’ he told the BBC after he was awarded an honourary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University.

"The only thing to say is what a great job Gareth did. As an Englishman, I’m very proud of him and the team. I think in English football I can’t think of anybody with more respect than Gareth has for how he has conducted himself and led the team deep into tournaments. Him and his staff did a wonderful job so it’s about paying respects for that and the rest is just speculation."

Alongside Potter, other names have surfaced as potential successors to Southgate. British duo Eddie Howe and Lee Carsley are considered strong candidates, while the Football Association is reportedly contemplating a foreign appointment for the first time since Fabio Capello and Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, could be on their list of targets.

During his break from management, Potter did engage with various clubs for a potential appointment but abstained from accepting any offer. Reflecting on his journey, he toldSky Sports: "I’ve had a great break. The journey from where I started to where I finished doesn’t come for free so it was important for me to take a break and reflect and re-energise. It’s been a good time to look at other sports, other teams and go around and visit places. I feel really ready and really excited to be back when the right opportunity comes."

As the FA begins the search for a new England manager, Potter remains a prominent name in the mix. And amid his readiness to return to management, the former Brighton boss might be the one to lead England in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.