Gareth Southgate should get England job for four years, not just four games, insists Trevor Brooking

Gareth Southgate should be given the opportunity to manage England for the next four years, not just four games, says Trevor Brooking.

Brooking, the former Football Association director of football development, was the man who brought former England player Southgate to the national governing body.

The 46-year-old won his first match in charge against Malta on Saturday and is in interim charge of 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Scotland.

Trevor Brooking

Image credit: Reuters

World Cup Qualification UEFA

The end of the world: When Hagi's Romania broke Welsh hearts

Mike Gibbons

A friendly with Spain on November 15 is slated to be Southgate's final match, but Brooking says the FA's search for a successor to Sam Allardyce should look no further than their own Under-21 coach.

Brooking told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek: "I think he should get the job. In the next three games hopefully he does enough.

"I am confident that then he'll get the two years taking us up to the World Cup.

"And with the players coming through - because there are some younger ones, it's about the timing of when he brings them in - I think then he could kick on for another two years as well."

Southgate declined the opportunity to be caretaker boss after Roy Hodgson's departure post Euro 2016 before Allardyce was appointed.

Brooking says the interpretation that Southgate felt he was not ready was wrong.

Brooking added: "They asked him to take the job for one game. With the greatest respect, having been there for four years, if I was Gareth I would've said 'well, no thanks - you either give me a proper chance or not'.

"And he said no, people thought he didn't think he was ready. That's nothing to do with it.

"What he wanted was a better chance, which he's now got."

'Wenger is a great foreign option'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has been with the Gunners for 20 years and whose contract expires next summer, has also been linked to the role.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Image credit: Reuters

Brooking added: "Arsene's been lurking for about a decade. When I was at the FA he came up once or twice in discussions.

"At the stage the FA are, with St George's Park and everything, it cries out to stay English now.

"Gareth, with that experience, is the person that could take that on.

"Arsene is a great foreign option. I wouldn't do it now, even though a few years ago I'd have certainly considered it."

World Cup Qualification UEFA

Rashford v Sterling - who will make Southgate's starting England XI?

08/06/2018 at 08:00

World Cup Qualification UEFA

'World class' Marcus Rashford gives Southgate selection headache

08/06/2018 at 06:36

World Cup Qualification UEFA

In-depth: Southgate backs Sterling, so should the press

02/06/2018 at 16:03