Former Wycombe Wanderers defender Graham Potter has avoided to comment on speculation linking him with the vacant position as England’s new manager.

The 49-year-old, who played three games for the Chairboys during the club’s first-ever season in the EFL during the 1993/94 campaign, declined to address the speculation.

He instead decided to praise the outgoing Gareth Southgate, who spent eight years in the job.

During that time, he took the Three Lions to a World Cup semi-final, which was the country’s first in 28 years, and back-to-back European Championship finals.

Sadly, he lost on both occasions in the showpieces to Italy (2021) and Spain (2024) respectively.

Potter, who has been out of football since being fired as Chelsea’s boss in April 2023, told the BBC: “I don’t think today is the day to speak about that.

“I think Gareth has done a fantastic job. I don’t think there’s anybody in the country that is more respected in football than Gareth. He and his team led the country and led the team in a really, really good way and I have a huge respect for him.

“Today is the day to wish him a nice break because he’s earned that, and I wish him well whatever he does in the next part of his career.”

He spoke to the BBC on July 16 – the day Southgate announced he would be stepping down from the position.

Potter, who is one of many names to be linked to the role, rose to prominence at Swedish side Ostersund, who he led from the fourth tier to European qualification.

One of his most notable achievements when out in Sweden was defeating Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium in a Europa League knockout match in February 2018.

The Gunners, who were 3-0 from the first leg, won the overall tie 5-1, but many were left applauding Potter and his style of play.

His work in Sweden eventually secured him a move to Swansea City in the summer of 2018, after the club had just been relegated from the Premier League.

He spent one year in Wales before joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 2019.

His time on the South Coast was very successful, as he masterminded victories over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, which also included a ninth-place Premier League finish in 2022.

A move to Chelsea in the autumn of that year followed but only lasted eight months before being sacked.

He has not taken up another managerial role since.

Current Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is also reported to be in the FA’s thinking, but his sole focus was on bringing success to Spurs.

Newcastle say they will fight to keep Eddie Howe should the Football Association make a move for him, while overseas names linked with the job include former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, as well as ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Former Everton and Birmingham City man Lee Carsley is also one of the favourites.

The ex-Republic of Ireland international, who has also managed Coventry City (twice as caretaker), Brentford, Birmingham City (caretaker), and the England U20s, is currently in charge of the country’s U21 team.

He has won 23 of his 29 games in charge, and helped England win the U21 Euros in 2023.