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Gareth Southgate as England manager: Three questions for the new man

England U21 manager Gareth Southgate during a press conference at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, Brighton

With two World Cup qualifiers coming up, Gareth Southgate doesn’t have long to settle into the role of England manager following Sam Allardyce’s departure.

But what are the decisions the new man faces ahead of the games against Malta and Slovenia? We take a look…

How much does he change?

Southgate is the continuity candidate but with four games to oversee - the aforementioned matches plus a further World Cup qualifier against Scotland and a friendly against Spain - this represents a genuine audition for the role on a full-time basis.

As a result, in contrast to the short-term duties fulfilled by the likes of Howard Wilkinson, Peter Taylor and Stuart Pearce in the past, Southgate is entitled, perhaps even obligated, to steer things in a new direction. His direction. But what will that be?

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Nick Collins on who may join Southgate in a new-look England coaching team

Allardyce might be leaving with a 100 per cent record but all 100 of that came in a last-gasp win over 10-man Slovakia and there was little in that performance that demands the incoming coach must proceed down the same path.

With Roy Hodgson having offered no template for success either, Southgate finds himself in a job where there's an appetite from the public for change but question marks over how much authority he has to implement it.

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For example, would Southgate really be so contentious to reverse the decision to continue with Wayne Rooney as captain? It's a matter some feel needs addressing, while this is also potentially a period of change in other key positions such as goalkeeper too.

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Former England defender Andy Hinchcliffe feels Southgate is a good choice

Youth or experience?

With a number of young players impressing, stasis isn't really an attractive option. That's the crux of it for any England manager at this stage. A decision is needed on the issue of whether to stick with a squad that's struggled or trust others to take up the mantle.

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Ostensibly, Southgate is ideally placed to make those judgements having worked within the Football Association for many years, most recently as the England Under-21 coach. He is not only familiar with the current crop of senior players but also the capabilities of the next generation.

Harry Kane and John Stones were part of Southgate's England squad that contested the European Championship in Czech Republic last year. Jesse Lingard was in that group too and he'll be one of a number of youngsters likely to be buoyed by the appointment.

Harry Kane Gareth Southgate England U21
Image: Southgate has already worked with Harry Kane for the Under-21 side

But Southgate's status as a young coach doesn't necessarily mean that he'll embrace a younger England squad. After all, he's been mindful of rushing players in the past and might even be wary of hypocrisy if he opts to fast-track them now.

For example, Southgate didn't even include Eric Dier in his tournament squad in 2015, claiming that the Tottenham man would develop into a key figure in the 2017 Under-21 group only to see him breakthrough with the seniors within the year.

He also kept Marcus Rashford out of his Under-21 squad as recently as March, preaching caution in regard to the talented forward. In much the same way that Allardyce didn't pick Mark Noble, Southgate's preference for youth might not be so predictable either.

Southgate gets FA backing
Southgate gets FA backing

Gareth Southgate will slot into the England job "seamlessly", says FA chairman Greg Clarke.

Is he really ready for this?

If there were doubts over whether Rashford was ready, those concerns are equally applicable to the coach. Not least because of comments he made earlier this month indicating that he was not prepared for the role just yet.

"It wasn't a route I felt I was ready to take," said Southgate prior to Allardyce's unexpected exit. "I'm pretty clear on what I'm comfortable with but also I know to take that role wasn't something I think I've got the experience for.

"I think it's one of the ultimate jobs and you want every skill set possible when you go into it. I think with England there are one or two other things that I would want to have had experience of before I took that role."

It's an impressively mature attitude. More worryingly, of course, it might also be spot on. Southgate did lead a side to victory at the Toulon Tournament earlier this year, but the experience at the European Championships was not so positive as England finished bottom.

Allardyce tenure in quotes
Allardyce tenure in quotes

The story of Sam Allardyce's brief reign as England manager in his own words.

Few doubt that Southgate has the strength of character to cope with the demands of the role - he showed that much during his playing career. But handling the egos of an England dressing room as a manager might prove a different beast entirely.

His most recent foray into senior management came in 2009 with Middlesbrough and ended in the sack having taking them down from the Premier League for the first time in over a decade. Since then, Southgate has restyled himself as a teacher of youngsters.

If the more experienced Allardyce had his credentials questioned, and he did, Southgate should expect the same treatment. And while there was a suspicion that Allardyce had the chutzpah to carry it off, Southgate must show he too has the authority to make it work.

Gareth Southgate: England U21 boss
Image: Southgate's fledgling record as a manager is not without its flaws

Conclusion

It's a huge opportunity for Southgate and one that even he seems to feel may have come a little too soon. But we rarely get to choose when the chance comes along and with a paucity of options out there, the man learning on the job could well prove to be the best candidate.

He knows the players and he knows the alternatives too. He's also familiar with the Football Association and St George's Park so should be able to hit the ground running off the field. Convincing players and public he has the knowhow to deliver on the field is the key now.

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