Monday 14 November 2016 10:09, UK
Gareth Southgate is in "pole position" to become the next permanent England manager, according to captain Wayne Rooney - but will the interim boss be handed the reins full time?
A 3-0 win over Scotland on Friday night, following last month's victory over Malta and draw in Slovenia, appear to have boosted Southgate's chances of securing the role long-term but the FA have made clear they plan to take their time to make the decision.
Here, we take a look at the arguments they'll be weighing up when they consider whether or not to make Southgate the next permanent England manager...
Southgate knows the set-up and knows the players
Southgate may have had just three years' experience as a club manager but few are as well-versed in the England set-up, given his work as U21 boss and head of elite development.
In three years as England U21 boss, Southgate has coached and helped develop many of the players he's now managing in the senior side, while his 17-month spell working alongside director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, means he is aware of and aligned with the FA's long-term vision for the national side.
Southgate enjoyed not inconsiderable success with the U21s, too. He's lost just three of his 31 games in charge of the youth team, winning 80.6 per cent of those fixtures.
While there was disappointment at the 2015 U21 European Championships, when England exited at the group phase, Southgate steered the team to five straight victories and the title at the Toulon Tournament this summer.
"Gareth has got experience at tournaments," former England striker Tony Cottee told Soccer Saturday. "He's done it with the U21s and that is a great thing to have on his CV. It's important we give him the job."
He's delivered during his caretaker spell so far
While seven points from three matches against teams ranked outside of the world's top 50 may not be an earth-shattering return, it shouldn't be forgotten Southgate stepped up in the wake of the Sam Allardyce sting and has delivered stability. England remain top of their World Cup qualifying pool and well on course for Russia 2018 after his three games in charge.
The 3-0 win over Scotland - England's biggest win over their old rivals in 41 years - also showed Southgate can inspire his players to deliver when the pressure is on. That was a game they could not afford to draw, let alone lose.
While Tuesday's friendly with Spain will provide the stiffest test of Southgate's four-game audition, the most important part of his task has been completed. "Get it done," said Cottee. "Give him the job and a contract for the World Cup and see how we go."
He has the players' backing
"He's come in and done a really good job," said England captain Wayne Rooney after the Scotland win. "He's got two wins from three and a good point from the last game in Slovenia. It's down to the FA now and he's put himself in pole position and I'm sure the right decision will be made."
Rooney's comments are significant, not just because of his position as captain but because he was dropped by Southgate last month but continues to back the interim boss for the full-time post.
"He made a big decision in his first game to drop Wayne Rooney. Not many managers would have done that," former Liverpool player Neil Mellor told Soccer Saturday. "What I liked was after the result on Friday Rooney came out and said Gareth should be the next England manager. He'd been dropped previously but there's enough respect there."
Adam Lallana has also spoken of the players' desire to "fight for" Southgate and he seems the popular choice among the squad, so many of whom have worked with him previously in the U21 side.
Southgate lacks managerial experience
While Southgate has extensive knowledge of the England set-up, as explained above, his limited managerial career cannot be ignored. He took charge of just 151 matches as Middlesbrough manager before being sacked in October 2009, following the club's relegation from the Premier League.
In contrast, Allardyce has overseen nearly 1,000 club games, while his predecessor Roy Hodgson has managed more than 800 club fixtures. Southgate would be the least experienced England manager since their very first, Walter Winterbottom in 1946.
While that record hasn't stopped Southgate from securing important qualifying points during his interim period in charge, it would be an obvious area of criticism should he lose tactical battles with more experienced international coaches further down the line.
Wenger in the summer?
When it comes to club management experience, few can rival Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. FA chief executive Martin Glenn has said the long-serving Gunners' boss would "fit the criteria perfectly" and although Wenger insists his focus is solely on Arsenal right now, he didn't rule out the possibility when asked about the post following Allardyce's departure.
Wenger's contract at Arsenal expires next summer. While there is talk of an extension, could a Premier League or Champions League title win convince him to sign off on a high note? The FA could extend Southgate's temporary role until the end of the season to find out. At which point there could be other high-profile managers looking for a new challenge.
"There is no other candidate at this moment in time," said Cottee when asked about Southgate's potential appointment. That doesn't mean the FA don't have other options and with no game until March, they have time.
Despite his lack of experience, Southgate seems the obvious appointment for the FA to make - especially as FA chief executive Glenn has suggested they would prefer to appoint an Englishman.
He has seized his chance as interim boss and, given his work with the U21s and FA previously, is well aligned with the governing bodies' overall approach and ambitions.
"If you've got someone who has played for England and is passionate about the country, give him the chance and let him try to build a dynasty over the next five or six years so we can go to Qatar and try to win the World Cup, like the previous FA Chairman said," stated Cottee.
"That's what we've got to strive to do. What are they waiting for? There is no one else. Give it to him, he deserves it."
