England

Phil Thompson wants Gareth Southgate as England boss

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 05 October 2016

Thompson wants Southgate as England boss

Gareth Southgate should put his name forward to become England's new manager on a long-term basis, claims former Liverpool centre-back Phil Thompson.

Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson has said that Gareth Southgate should put his name forward to become England's new manager on a long-term basis.

Southgate will take control of England's next four matches, including this month's 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia, following Sam Allardyce's controversial departure.

It is not yet clear whether the Under-21 boss wants the position on a full-time basis, but Thompson has called for the Football Association to snub foreign managers in favour of the 46-year-old.

"I've always said that he should be given a chance. We've got no outright Englishman who sticks out, even when Sam got the job. All these foreign managers who are making a great life for themselves in the Premier League, and I know Wenger comes to mind, but I would like an Englishman," Thompson told Sky Sports News.

"I was happy when Sam got it, but I was disappointed that Gareth said he was not up for it when Sam got the job. Now he's got it for four games. With Gareth in there, we should qualify for the World Cup, win all our games, we should do.

"As far as I'm concerned, this was the plan the FA had, that coaches would come through the Under 20s, Under 21s, and then be promoted to the first team. He's got two years to prepare this team. He's been to tournaments, he won the Toulon tournament, he's moved forward, so for me that puts him in a really good position."

Southgate has won 27 of his 34 matches in charge of England's Under-21s.