The interim England boss masterminded the nation’s biggest win over their fiercest rivals for 41 years with the 3-0 victory over Scotland to put himself firmly in the driving seat for the permanent position.
The recruitment process will start in earnest after tomorrow night’s friendly against Spain, which England must contest without the services of Harry Kane, who was yesterday sent back home to Tottenham as part of an agreement to continue his rehabilitation from the ankle injury that ruled him out for seven weeks coming into the international break.
But the announcement that Howard Wilkinson has replaced David Gill on the three-man selection committee alongside FA technical director Dan Ashworth and chief executive Martin Glenn suggests it will not just be a straight-forward rubber-stamping exercise.
Interviews will be conducted quickly, however, and Gareth Southgate says that somebody needs to be in place quickly in order to maintain the momentum of three wins and a draw in World Cup qualifying so far.
“Well, it would be important for me to know what I’m doing after the middle of November!” he joked. “I think it would for everybody, because we’ve got the European Under-21 championship to prepare for and the seniors have got the next round of games to prepare for.
“Everybody is going to want to know by the end of November, middle of December where everything’s heading so that we can decide who is responsible for which parts of the organisation’s work.”
Previously Southgate had the responsibility for the Under-21 team as part of a wider developmental role, but he feels that despite his relative lack of front-line management at the top level he is able to step up to the mark.
“If you look at a lot of the top coaches in the world, they’ve had an opportunity at some point before they’ve worked at a big club,” he said. “Maybe you have to prove yourself first or maybe you don’t.
England grind out victory over Scotland: Five things we learned
Fri, November 11, 2016Click through the gallery for five things we learned about England after victory over Scotland
1. Adam Lallana is a gem for club and country. He can dictate a game from multiple positions
“Everybody’s pathway is different. I don’t think there is an ideal one.
“From my point of view, to have the opportunity to show that I can handle big occasions like Friday night has been an invaluable experience and a great opportunity.”