England

Terry Butcher backs Gareth Southgate for England job

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 13 November 2016

Former England captain Terry Butcher believes that Gareth Southgate is the "right man" to become the permanent successor to Sam Allardyce as manager.

Former England captain Terry Butcher has backed Gareth Southgate to get the manager's job on a permanent basis.

Southgate has been in interim charge of the team since Sam Allardyce's ill-fated reign came to an end, but Tuesday's friendly against Spain will see his four-game contract expire.

However, the former Under-21 manager is the favourite to land the job on a permanent basis, and Butcher believes that he is the best available option.

"I think he's the right man - he's a personable guy and he wants to learn and adapt," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I think there's a lot of going into the classroom for Gareth with England, he'll learn in the job and I think he'll learn well - he's got the capacity and the brain power. He'll certainly develop his own coaching prowess at international level - give him the job and give him it now.

"I read someone saying [they will] perhaps wait until Arsene Wenger makes a decision about his Arsenal future, but I can't see it being the case. It may be [in that eventuality] that Gareth walks away and says, you've had your chance, it's gone."

Southgate has won two and drawn one of his three games in charge of the team so far.