The former Chelsea midfielder and manager has seen his odds for succeeding Gareth Southgate shorten in recent weeks among the bookmakers. The 46-year-old has been out of management since taking interim charge of Chelsea at the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season. However a source close to Northern Irish wife Christine said the prospect of him taking charge of the Three Lions would result in a big change for their life and increased media scrutiny.
The former Everton manager is among the names talked about to replace Southgate after he resigned two days on from England’s defeat by Spain in the 2024 European Championship final. Among the other favourites for the job include, Graham Potter the former Brighton and Chelsea boss, Newcastle United Manager Eddie Howe and current caretaker manager Lee Carsley. The insider to Christine told : “The odds of Frank being named England manager have shortened in recent weeks and he is among the favourites to take on the role.
If he was given such an amazing opportunity, he wouldn’t be able to turn it down. "Christine will support him no matter what, but she worries about how much their life would change if he did get the job. She would need Frank to be sure that this is what he really wants to do.
"She knows how much he misses managing and wants to get back to it, but she is hoping it will be for another club right now, something that carries less pressure.” The ITV presenter, who was born in Newry but grew up in Newtownards, shares two children – Patricia (5) and Freddie (2) – with her husband. She is also a step-mother to his daughters Luna (18) and Isla (16) from a previous relationship.
The source added: “At the moment she can go about her day-to-day life without much scrutiny and her and the kids are left well alone. But that would all change and she’s not sure how they’d handle that pressure. “If he did get offered the job, there would need to be a big discussion.
But she knows how much of an honour it would be for him, and of course will do everything to support him, as he has her. They are a really strong couple and will support each other through anything – it’s just a matter of compromise.” Speaking last year about her relationship with husband Frank, Christine said the duo try their best to make time for family life.
“We try and prioritise each other's and the children's needs, but when he was still playing football, he was away at least two or three nights of the week, then training,” she said. "Now, we do our best to go out for lunch or dinner, or have a night on the sofa when we can.” Christine has been a guest presenter on breakfast TV show Lorraine and is a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.
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