Pros and cons of Gareth Southgate as England manager

Gareth Southgate is the new permanent England manager after winning a one-horse race.
Garetrh Southgate was today confirmed as the new England managerGaretrh Southgate was today confirmed as the new England manager
Garetrh Southgate was today confirmed as the new England manager

Here is a look at some of the 46-year-old's strengths and weaknesses.

PROS

Gareth Southgate coaching with England's under 21sGareth Southgate coaching with England's under 21s
Gareth Southgate coaching with England's under 21s

KNOWS ENGLAND'S YOUNG PLAYERS

Named the Football Association's head of elite development in 2011, he then took the role of England Under-21s manager in August 2013. Southgate led the team to the 2015 and 2017 Euros finals, in-between leading the country to their first Toulon tournament glory in 22 years. It is little wonder Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said that "nobody knows the nation's young talent better than Gareth".

ENGLAND EXPECTS

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As well as knowing what talent there is, Southgate knows better than most what is required when it comes to representing England and working within the FA. It would be wrong to define his playing career by his missed penalty at Euro 96, having performed admirably for his country in winning 57 caps between 1995 and 2004. Southgate has worked within the governing body on and off since the start of 2011, playing a key role in setting out England's DNA and bringing through young players. He knows things need to change if major tournament performances are to improve.

Gareth Southgate visited the new St George's Park Garves Parklife football hub in SheffieldGareth Southgate visited the new St George's Park Garves Parklife football hub in Sheffield
Gareth Southgate visited the new St George's Park Garves Parklife football hub in Sheffield

LEADERSHIP

He may not be the loud, chest-beating kind of person, but across his entire career Southgate has displayed leadership. The former defender performed admirably for his country and captained every club he played for. Southgate has never shirked his responsibilities or walked away when the going gets tough, with those credentials evident when managing Middlesbrough and the Under-21s.

CONS

INEXPERIENCE

Gareth Southgate coaching with England's under 21sGareth Southgate coaching with England's under 21s
Gareth Southgate coaching with England's under 21s

Southgate does not have the deepest managerial CV and in September admitted he was not ready for the senior job. His only job in club management was with Middlesbrough, where 12th and 13th place finishes were followed by relegation from the Premier League in 2009 and firing within months. Southgate returned to management in August 2013 as head coach of the England Under-21s.

TOO NICE?

They say nice guys never win and being 'nice' is "an accusation" Southgate has faced throughout his life. "It can be (a compliment) and sometimes it isn't necessarily," he said, before pointing to a firmness and discipline that underpins his management style.

BEST OF SHALLOW POOL

Gareth Southgate visited the new St George's Park Garves Parklife football hub in SheffieldGareth Southgate visited the new St George's Park Garves Parklife football hub in Sheffield
Gareth Southgate visited the new St George's Park Garves Parklife football hub in Sheffield
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Almost as depressing as England's Euro 2016 exit to minnows Iceland was the dearth of options to succeed Roy Hodgson. The choices shrunk further after Sam Allardyce's brief reign, with Southgate the clear choice to succeed him permanently after a solid four-match temporary stint. He might be the right man, but the lack of competition is a concern.