Southgate vows England ‘stability’
GARETH SOUTHGATE promised to bring some “stability” to the England set-up yesterday after Sam Allardyce admitted an “error of judgement” was behind his shock exit as the national side’s manager.
Allardyce’s one-game career as England manager came to a humiliating end after just 67 days on Tuesday following controversial comments made to undercover reporters.
Southgate has been promoted to caretaker boss of the senior England side from his post as Under-21 manager. The former England central defender will be in charge for the World Cup qualifier against Malta at Wembley on Oct 8, followed by matches against Slovenia, Scotland and a friendly with Spain.
“It’s obviously been a difficult situation for the FA (England’s governing Football Association) but it was important that there was some stability and continuity for everybody,” Southgate said in an FA statement.
“So, from my point of view, it was important to step forward and give us the best possible chance to win these games.”
Southgate added: “The focus now has to be on playing football, putting in good performances and getting results, starting with Malta at Wembley. These are four big games for us as a country, I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m confident that we can get good results.”
Earlier, Allardyce told reporters outside his home in Bolton, northwest England that he regretted his conversation with the undercover team: “I think that on reflection it was a silly thing to do.
“But just to let everybody know, I sort of helped out what was somebody I’d known for 30 years (football agent Scott McGarvey). Unfortunately it was an error of judgement on my behalf and I’ve paid the consequences.”
Allardyce’s England reign was sensationally brought to a close on Tuesday as he paid the price for indiscreetly talking with undercover
reporters posing as Far East businessmen.
The 61-year-old was secretly filmed giving advice on how to circumnavigate transfer rules and mocking England predecessor Hodgson.
investigation has also alleged eight unnamed managers with Premier League experience took bribes for the transfers of players during secretly filmed interviews.
Britain’s sports minister, Tracey Crouch, said Wednesday: “The recent allegations concerning English football are very concerning and we will be discussing the matter with the football authorities.”
Those authorities – the Football Association, the Premier League and the English Football League – issued a brief joint statement later Wednesday insisting they were serious about