Gareth Southgate "is an ideal fit" for the position of England manager, says former Club England managing director Adrian Bevington.
Southgate has been at the helm for four matches on an interim basis since Sam Allardyce departed after just one game in charge.
Southgate appears to be in pole position to land the role on a permanent basis, having been unbeaten in his four matches, which included an emphatic 3-0 defeat of Scotland in a key 2018 World Cup Qualifier.
The former Middlesbrough manager will have to wait while an FA selection panel considers their options, but Bevington told Sky Sports News HQ that Southgate is definitely the man for the job.
"I think he's earned the right to be England manager," said Bevington, who was Club England managing director between 2010-2015.
"He's handled things incredibly well over the last two months. He's used to the rhythm of international football, which is very different to club football.
"He knows the players, the players have spoken themselves that they support Gareth, and I think the time is right for him.
"He's been in the system for several years now and has always been held in high regard.
"There's no doubt the circumstances that led to him taking over as interim manager were unfortunate but he's worked with the players at all the different age groups, he knows the players coming through and, however we've reached this situation, hopefully once the panel have had their discussions and reached their decision, I think Gareth is an ideal fit."
The FA have been criticised in some quarters for not having appointed Southgate yet, but Bevington says the ruling body have their reasons.
He attended Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Spain and reported: "I'm not sure they need to interview other candidates, but 'process' was the watchword at Wembley last night with people I was speaking to.
"They were very determined to have a full evaluation of the process, to learn what's worked.
"The FA took a lot of criticism at a recent Select Committee at Parliament over due process around the appointment of Sam Allardyce, so they need to make sure they are credible externally, but personally I think Gareth has done enough to earn the job.
"The performance last night alone was enough to show the players are with him and he's trying to take the style of play forward in terms of encouraging them to come out with the ball.
"There was a lot of confidence on the pitch last night.
"I think it's important he is appointed at the earliest opportunity. There isn't another fixture until March but it is important that Gareth, if they are going to appoint him, that he is given full support of the FA and, more importantly, the whole country.
"If he's trying to encourage the team to play with more freedom, people must understand what he's trying to do.
"He's conducted himself brilliantly, the players are with him. Now is his time."