Southgate given England job permanently

 

The Football Association has confirmed they have appointed Gareth Southgate as the new England manager.

 

Southgate, 46, was made interim manager in the wake of Sam Allardyce’s shock dismissal in September and given four matches against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain to prove his credentials. 

 

The Three Lions came through those matches unbeaten and were even seconds away from recording an impressive 2-1 win over Spain to convince the FA to hand Southgate the full-time role on a four-year deal.

 

Southgate had a three-hour interview with the FA earlier this month, despite being the only candidate for the job, and has revealed his delight at being named the new manager.

 

“I am extremely proud to be appointed England manager,” Southgate is quoted as saying on the FA’s official website. “However, I’m also conscious that getting the job is one thing, now I want to do the job successfully.

 

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the players over these past four games and I think there’s huge potential. I’m determined to give everything I have to give the country a team that they’re proud of and one that they’re going to enjoy watching play and develop. For me, the hard work starts now.”

 

 

England are one of two countries yet to concede a goal in the European segment of qualification for the 2018 World Cup, in which Southgate has been at the helm for three of those matches.

 

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