Football
ESPN staff 8y

Louis van Gaal backed for job in England setup by Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs believes former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal could be brought in by the Football Association to work alongside the next England manager.

The FA is currently searching to find Roy Hodgson's successor after he resigned following the Three Lions' Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland on Monday.

England under-21 boss Gareth Southgate has been one of the names linked with the job, though he has reportedly ruled himself out of the running, and Giggs feels such a figure could be the right appointment -- as long as a more experienced head like Van Gaal is brought in as well.

"England have a vision, of appointing within, and they need to stick with that," Giggs told ITV. "Who's the next in line? Gareth Southgate. Maybe you have to tweak it a little bit as it's a little premature, maybe you bring in someone who can help him a long for the next couple of years.

"He's the coach, he's the man in charge, but bring someone along who's had tournament experience, got experience of the Premier League. There's many names -- [Glenn] Hoddle, [Terry] Venables has done it, Sir Alex Ferguson, Louis van Gaal. Think outside the box."

Southgate is one of a number of Englishmen to have been linked with the England job, alongside such names as Alan Pardew, Sam Allardyce, Eddie Howe and Glenn Hoddle.

According to The Guardian, however, England's players are keen for an overseas manager to be appointed.

The FA will consult the experienced quartet of Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, James Milner and Gary Cahill in their search for a new manager, with their preference in the dressing room reported to be for a non-Englishman.

One non-Englishman, Luiz Felipe Scolari, has already thrown his hat into the ring, with the former Brazil and Portugal boss, who turned the England job down 10 years ago, expressing his interest in the post.

"I am the manager of Guangzhou [Evergrande] and I am concentrating on my job here," he told the Daily Mail. "But I know the importance of the England job in world football.

"I've an affection for English football and I am aware of the need for the national team to be successful. I understand the importance of an international manager from my time with Brazil and Portugal."

Meanwhile, according to The Times, the FA has called upon the services of former England rugby boss Stuart Lancaster to help the governing body in its search for a new manager.

Lancaster has been appointed to a group of experts, which also includes cycling guru Sir Dave Brailsford, who are to advise the FA on improving the England setup.

The FA formally begins its search for a new England manager on Friday, The Times reports, when chief executive Martin Glenn meets with technical director Dan Ashworth and vice-chairman David Gill.

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