Southgate wants swift decision

Gareth Southgate wants the Football Association to make a decision on the England manager's job within the next month.

Southgate's four-game reign will end after Tuesday's international friendly against Spain and he is the overwhelming favourite to take the job on a permanent basis after picking up seven points from a possible nine in the World Cup qualifiers.

FA chairman Greg Clarke, technical director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Martin Glenn and League Managers' Association chairman Howard Wilkinson have been tasked with appointing a permanent successor to Sam Allardyce and Southgate has called on them to make a decision by mid-December.

"It will be important for me to know what I'm doing after the middle of November," Southgate said.

"We've got a European Under-21 Championship to prepare for and the seniors have got their next round of qualifiers (in March).

"Of course everybody is going to want to know, I guess, by the end of November, middle of December, where everything is heading so we can decide who is responsible for which parts of the organisation's work.

"That's not my decision in the end. I've enjoyed what I've done so far.

"I'm immensely proud to have led my country for three games, with another on Tuesday, and to be involved in an England-Scotland game, which is as high pressure as they come. It's been a brilliant experience and very, very special."

Southgate, who was appointed interim manager following Allardyce's shock departure after just 67 days in charge, has only held one job at club level - he managed Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009 - but he is not worried about his lack of experience.

"I think if you look at a lot of the top coaches in the world they've had the opportunity at some point before they've worked at a big club," he said.

"Maybe you prove yourself at a smaller one first or maybe you don't. Pep (Guardiola) was straight in at Barcelona having worked with the B team.

"Everybody's path is different. I don't think there is an ideal pathway.

"From my point of view to have had the opportunity to show how I handle big occasions like Friday night and the lead-in to that has been invaluable experience and a great opportunity."

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