English FA confirms Gareth Southgate as new England manager on four-year contract

Gareth Southgate has been confirmed as England’s new manager to replace Sam Allardyce, signing a four-year contract to lead the national team into the 2018 World Cup.
The interim manager, who was interviewed by the FA’s five-man selection panel at St George’s Park last week, agreed a deal through to 2020, with a break clause after the World Cup in Russia that can be triggered by either party. It is understood his salary will be around £1.5m a year.
Southgate was the only candidate interviewed by the governing body. His first game will be a friendly against Germany in Dortmund on 22 March before a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley four days later.
Southgate said: “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.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the players over these past four games and I think there’s huge potential. I’m determined to give everything I have to give the country a team that they’re proud of and one that they’re going to enjoy watching play and develop. For me, the hard work starts now.”
Southgate made close to 650 appearances during his 18-year playing career with Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, earning 57 England caps in the process. He then managed Middlesbrough in the Premier League between 2006 and 2009 before becoming the FA’s head of elite development in January 2011. He took over the under-21 side in August 2013.
Martin Glenn, the FA’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to confirm Gareth as England manager. He’s obviously somebody we know well but it’s his understanding of international football and the development set-up at St. George’s Park that is important.
We’ve brought stability back to England, says Gareth Southgate
Read more
“He performed extremely well during the four games he was in temporary charge and he impressed us during a tough interview process. Gareth is a great ambassador for what The FA stands for, he’s a very good football tactician and a leader but beneath that he’s a winner and that’s an important part of the job.”
The FA are understood to be eager to appoint current assistant Steve Holland on a full-time basis having previously used him on a job-share basis with Chelsea. The future of coach Sammy Lee, who was initially drafted in by his close friend Allardyce and kept on during Southgate’s interim stint, has also been discussed.
The FA also need to replace Southgate as under-21 manager. Aidy Boothroyd stepped up from the under-20s when Southgate took charge of the senior squad, winning both games to qualify for Euro 2017.