Shearer backs Southgate for permanent England job

Gareth Southgate has the perfect opportunity to make his case for being given the England manager’s job on a full-time basis, according to Alan Shearer.

Southgate, the Under-21 boss, was put in temporary charge of the full national team following the departure of Sam Allardyce last week.

Allardyce managed just one game in charge, a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Slovakia, before being relieved of his duties after a damaging interview with undercover Daily Telegraph reporters came to light.

Southgate was consequently put in charge for England’s final four games of 2016 – starting with Saturday’s qualifier at home to Malta.

“Yeah I think he could get it but he has to decide if he wants it,” Shearer said of his former international team-mate.

“He’s got the best interview of anyone, he’s got four games to stake his claim. He’ll bring his energy, a freshness.

“He’ll know a lot of the players from the Under-21s, I hope he can go out and do very, very well.

“It was an embarrassing week for English football. That was quite clear for everyone. On the positive side there is only one way to go and that is up.

“That’s now Gareth’s job to take us forward and get us the results that we need. He can hopefully enjoy that spell and then he has to decide whether he wants it full-time or not.”