BIG INTERVIEW

GARETH SOUTHGATE knows that restoring England’s reputation in the eyes of the average fan will not be an easy fix.

There have been too many letdowns and failures for that, culminating in the humiliating defeat to Iceland at the Euros.

But the performances last month against Scotland and Spain were perhaps the first baby steps towards forging a new identity – according to Southgate’s postman!

The formalities of Southgate’s appointment to the top job were completed last week after his fourgame stint as caretaker manager and then subsequent interview at St George’s Park for the full-time role.

That was the simple part. Now the new boss has to create a team which is both a force to be reckoned with on the world stage and excites the public.

Barring a calamity, England will qualify with something to spare for the World Cup in 2018 as they top their group after four matches.

But qualification has not been the problem in recent times. They have not lost a qualifier for seven years and Roy Hodgson managed 10 wins out of 10 on the path to France.

So Southgate knows he won’t be judged on whether he makes it to Russia or not.