Who is Gareth Southgate? Former Premier League player and likely new England manager – here’s what we know
GARETH SOUTHGATE is expected to be announced as the permanent England manager after conducting a three-hour interview with Football Association bosses.
Southgate, 46, was in charge for four games as interim manager and is the only candidate, the Three Lions having won two and drawn two under his tenure.
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He is expected to be announced in time for a Football Association board meeting on Nov 30 after undergoing a three-hour interview in front of a panel of five.
The 46-year-old is set to agree a four-year deal, worth £1.5million a year plus bonuses - but who is he, and what are his credentials to lead England into the next World Cup.
Who is Gareth Southgate?
He was born 3 September 1970 in Watford, but grew up in Crawley, East Sussex where he excelled in sport at school.
Beginning his career at Crystal Palace, he made more than 500 club appearances for the Eagles, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough and was capped 57 times for England.
He went on to manage Middlesbrough in the Premier League between 2006-2009 before taking charge of the England under 21 team.
Most recently, he took temporary charge of the England senior team following Sam Allardyce's sudden departure in the wake of a corruption scandal.
What was Gareth Southgate like as a player?
After starting out as a central midfielder, he was made captain of Palace aged just 23 years old, leading the club to the 1993-94 First Division title.
When he moved to Aston Villa, he was converted to a tough-tackling central defender and was always known as a leader, a strong head and a solid influence in the dressing room.
Winning 57 England caps, his worst moment came at Euro 1996 when he missed the vital penalty in the semi-final at Wembley against Germany.
But he did see the funnier side later that year, joining fellow England spot kick missers Stuart Peace & Chirs Waddle in a cheesy Pizza Hut advert when they make jokes about their woes.
What are Southgate's managerial credentials?
After retiring as a player in 2006, he took charge of his last club Middlesbrough after Steve McClaren had left to manage England.
His appointment drew controversy as he did not have the required coaching qualifications to manage a top-flight club - but still started well, before getting them relegated, and was sacked in 2009.
In August 2013, he became England under-21 boss, successfully led England to the finals of the U-21 European Championship in 2015 and winning the prestigious Toulon Tournament for the first time in 22 years earlier this year.
Instantly after Allardyce quit in the wake of his scandal, Southgate was promoted to the senior team, where he beaten Malta 2-0 and Scotland 3-0, while drawing 0-0 against Slovenia in World Cup 2018 qualifiers.
He also drew 2-2 with Spain in a friendly which was his fourth match in interim charge.