Southgate named England manager on four-year deal

Gareth Southgate will lead England towards the 2018 World Cup and 2020 European Championship after being appointed permanent manager of the national team by the FA on Wednesday. The 46-year-old succeeds Sam Allardyce who departed 67 days into his reign after being caught up in a newspaper sting. In a statement released after a meeting of the Football Association board at St George's Park, the FA said the former England defender had agreed a four-year contract. Southgate, who was in charge of England's under 21s for 32 games, has overseen two wins and a draw in the three World Cup qualifying games he has overseen as interim manager, leaving England top of the group. He also saw his side draw with Spain. "I am extremely proud to be appointed England manager. However, I'm also conscious that getting the job is one thing, now I want to do the job successfully," the former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough player said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed working with the players over these past four games and I think there's huge potential. "For me, the hard work starts now." His first match in permanent charge will be away to Germany in a friendly in March, followed by a World Cup qualifier at home to Lithuania later that month. Passionate former England players like Kevin Keegan and Glenn Hoddle, foreign coaches such as Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello and experienced old hands including Graham Taylor and Roy Hodgson, have all failed as one of the game's most difficult and lucrative jobs has proved a mission too far. Having tried almost every permutation and spent millions on wages, the FA has now adopted on a new approach to try to emulate 1966 World Cup winner Alf Ramsey, the only England manager to win a major trophy, by promoting a quietly spoken and thoughtful former international from within its own ranks. The 46-year-old Southgate, who has signed a four-year contract, has impressed the Football Association since stepping up from the under-21 team to succeed Sam Allardyce, who departed after just 67 days following a newspaper sting. A draw against Slovenia and wins over Malta and Scotland in 2018 World Cup qualifiers were followed by a 2-2 friendly draw with Spain, although Southgate's reign as interim coach was marred by pictures of Wayne Rooney socialising late at night. The captain apologised "unreservedly" after the publication of what he called "inappropriate" images for someone in his position while on international duty after the Scotland game.