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Gareth Southgate looking to win over England fans and bring tournament success

Gareth Southgate has been in charge of England on an interim basis
Image: Gareth Southgate signed a four-year deal to take over as England manager in midweek

Gareth Southgate has secured at least one fan outside football since first taking over as England manager - his postman!

Southgate was confirmed as Sam Allardyce's full-time replacement on Wednesday, having been in charge for four games after the former Sunderland boss vacated the role in the wake of a Daily Telegraph sting.

The 46-year-old has signed a four-year deal and has ringing endorsements from Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn, as well as current and former England players, but he is also hoping to continue impressing supporters, including one who delivers his mail.

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"My postman told me after the last couple of games 'that's how I like an England team to play'," Southgate said.

"It's not a survey of the whole country but I get what he means. We have certain attributes as a nation. We can't try to be Spain. We have different qualities.

"We have different physical attributes. What we have in this team is youth and energy and players that are used to playing a high pressing game with their clubs and we should embrace that with the national team.

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FA chief executive Martin Glenn insists he's been impressed by Southgate's managerial ability and tactical knowledge for many years

"Throughout all our age group teams, we have been encouraging the players to be comfortable with the ball and to build up and we still have a bit to do against high pressure as we saw against Spain.

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"We kept the ball much better against Scotland but Spain were much better at pressing us and we didn't keep it as well, so we have to be better at that."

Gareth Southgate
Image: Southgate had four games in interim charge before his permanent appointment was confirmed

Southgate won a pair of League Cup winners' medals during his playing career but does not want those to stand alone and feels there is a major tournament within England's reach.

"Throughout my career, although I did win some trophies and I did win some caps, I was pretty hacked off at the end that I had not won more," he added.

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Stoke manager Mark Hughes believes Southgate's appointment as England manager is good news for all British coaches

"That is also a drive because I want to go and win more things.

"There is not one magic thing that's going to make all the difference. You've got to look at all things; preparation, performance, a clear playing style that when you're under pressure, in those stressful moments, there's a clear way we play and that players understand that as they do with their clubs.

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Southgate says one of his key aims is to create a team that England fans want to watch

"That's one of your big challenges at international level, because of the period of time you get to work together.

"Can you establish that way of playing and those clear messages as quickly as possible, so when you're under pressure you have something to fall back on and you've got to challenge the players in terms of their thinking?"

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