Gareth Southgate named England manager on four-year deal

Gareth Southgate was handed the onerous task of ending England's decades of under-achievement at

major tournaments when he agreed a four-year deal to become national team manager on Wednesday. The 46-year-old former international defender had

been in temporary charge since Sam Allardyce quit 67 days into his reign in September after becoming embroiled in a newspaper sting. Southgate, who played for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, impressed the FA during four matches as interim manager and was the overwhelming favourite to secure the job. "I am extremely proud to be appointed England manager. However, I'm also conscious that getting the job is one thing, now I want to do the job

successfully," Southgate said in a statement issued by the Football Association after a lengthy board

meeting at its St George's Park headquarters.