Gareth Southgate has strengthened his chances of securing the England manager’s position on a permanent basis after watching his side inflict their most emphatic defeat on Scotland in over four decades, with the interim manager admitting he has loved the responsibility that comes with the role.
Headers from Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill secured England’s biggest win over the Scots since 1975, with each of his team’s goals provoking Southgate into fist-pumping celebrations on the sidelines. The former under-21s manager has secured seven points from his three World Cup qualifiers in charge, taking his team two points clear at the top of the group, and is now expected to be confirmed in the position on a long-term contract regardless of the result of Tuesday’s friendly against Spain.
The 46-year-old’s initial reluctance to accept the role has subsided, with his desire now to build on some momentum in the group to try to shape this team’s identity. “I’ve loved it, I’ve loved it,” said Southgate. “I’ve really enjoyed the role and the responsibility that comes with it, the challenge posed by every part of it. I get that it would not be quite as enjoyable if you don’t get the results, and there are nights where you have to get over the line and get the result, but it’s been a brilliant experience.
“I’ve taken so much from it. But as a group of staff we’ve prepared the team really well and created a good environment. Hopefully they’ve enjoyed it too. [What happens next is] not my decision. I was given the task of picking the job up in a very difficult situation for everybody, keep the country top of the group, and I feel we’ve prepared the team really well. I’ve enjoyed working with them. We have a difficult challenge against Spain, a great test for us, but the rest is out of my hands. The FA can decide what they want to do.”
The captain Wayne Rooney – restored to the starting line-up after being dropped against Slovenia last month – also added his support for Southgate. “Gareth’s come in and done well. He’s done all he can and put himself as the front runner,” he said. “The FA will make a decision but, from my point of view, he’s in pole position and should be given the job.”
While England were guilty of sloppiness at times against the Scots, particularly in the opening exchanges of each half, they proved far more ruthless in front of goal than industrious but limited opponents. “Tonight was down to the players: they’ve shown elements of what they’re capable of, both individually and collectively,” said the manager. “They displayed lots of the things we worked on in the week. Lots of things were really pleasing. It was important for them to come through that pressure environment and win. They wanted to respond in the right way to what they’ve been through in the last few months and today was a step forward in their belief in what they’re capable of.
“Yes, some of our first-phase build-up play was sloppy and there were moments when we weren’t as controlled and had to dig in. But some of our attacking interplay was very exciting. There were pleasing things about individual performances, the way we pressed with energy, and how we used the ball in the last two-thirds. Some of our use of the ball was fantastic. There were some really good signs of what we’d been working on in training being transferred on to the field. To approach the game in that manner and have the confidence to employ it, that was encouraging.”
Southgate will assess his squad on Saturday at their Hertfordshire base as he begins preparations for the friendly with Spain. He confirmed there were no specific agreements in place with clubs to release certain players from the 25-man party, and it looks likely that Harry Kane, Nathaniel Clyne and Jack Wilshere will be granted game-time against the 2010 World Cup winners.
