How Next England Manager Should Approach Ben White

Former England forward Gabby Agbonlahor has advised the next England manager to welcome defender Ben White back into the national team, despite White's previous refusal to be selected under former coach Gareth Southgate. With Southgate's departure after an eight-year tenure and Lee Carsley currently serving as interim manager, the Football Association is in search of a permanent replacement. Agbonlahor emphasized the importance of the new manager's decision regarding White's potential return. Agbonlahor pointed out that the aging Kyle Walker may soon retire from international duty, suggesting that White's return could fill a crucial gap in the squad. He acknowledged that the decision ultimately lies with the new manager, who should consider including White in the squad. The Aston Villa legend expressed concern that White's past decision to make himself unavailable might provoke backlash from fans, but he remains optimistic about the possibility of reconciliation. The absence of assistant coach Steve Holland, who was part of Southgate's staff, could also influence White's willingness to return. Agbonlahor believes that the change in coaching dynamics might encourage White to reconsider his stance on international duty. He concluded that the evolving nature of football means players can change their minds, and the new manager should be open to reintegrating talented players like White into the national setup.