Gareth Southgate should take permanent England job, says Phil Thomspon

By Phil Thompson, Football Expert @Phil_Thompson4

Image: Gareth Southgate should take the permanent England job, says Phil Thomspon

Gareth Southgate should put himself forward for the permanent England job, says Phil Thompson.

Southgate will take charge of England for the next four games following the sacking of Sam Allardyce, and goes up against Malta at Wembley on Saturday before a trip to Slovenia.

Speaking to Sky Sports, pundit Thomspon admits he was disappointed Southgate was not keen on the job in the summer when Allardyce replaced Roy Hodgson, and hopes this time will be different.

Image: Interim England manager Southgate speaks with his coaching team

"I've always said that he should be given a chance. We've got no outright Englishman who sticks out, even when Sam got the job," Thompson said.

"All these foreign managers who are making a great life for themselves in the Premier League, and I know Wenger comes to mind, but I would like an Englishman.

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"I was happy when Sam got it, but I was disappointed that Gareth said he was not up for it when Sam got the job. Now he's got it for four games. With Gareth in there, we should qualify for the World Cup, win all our games, we should do.

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"As far as I'm concerned, this was the plan the FA had, that coaches would come through the Under 20s, Under 21s, and then be promoted to the first team.

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"He's got two years to prepare this team. He's been to tournaments, he won the Toulon tournament, he's moved forward, so for me that puts him in a really good position.

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So for me I'd like him to say yes to this job, and if it goes well in the two years he is then ready for tournament football in two years in Russia."

After the upcoming World Cup qualifiers this week, England then host Scotland and Spain at Wembley in November.

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Thompson admits it would be beneficial for Southgate to have an experienced adviser beside him, but believes the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are too young, and would opt for Glenn Hoddle to assist in operations.

"I think Gerrard and Lampard are too recent for him, but if he is to go with someone, I'd like to see him go with a Glenn Hoddle.

Image: Sam Allardyce leaves his home the day after losing his job as England manager

"He's been there before, he's a bit older and a bit wiser, he's been around, through the media. He would be in an ideal position to be advising, and he's a very good coach as well.

"I think someone like that would be better than somebody younger. I would just like to see Gareth Southgate have somebody with a bit more experience with him."

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