By Leon Smith

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Gareth Southgate was appointed permanent manager of England last week after a spell of four games in charge as interim coach, where the Three Lions went unbeaten. Yet, there was still speculation on whether Southgate would take over full time.

The man in charge of appointing Southgate, FA Chief Executive, Martin Glenn said “You can see, like all of us, he has still got things to learn.” This probably explains why it took so long to make the appointment permanent and the FA have deemed this appointment, a gamble.

“I am extremely proud to be appointed England manager. However, I am also conscious getting the job done is one thing, now I want to do the job successfully,” said Southgate, after his appointment.

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After usually turning to the seasoned professionals with perhaps more glamourous CVs than Southgate’s, the FA have finally taken a chance. Southgate has the worst club managerial record in 20 years with all seven managers before him boasting greater success as a manager. He is the first manager since Steve McClaren to register more losses as a manager than wins, at club level. He did, however, win the Toulon Tournament last year but is that enough to merit the England manager position?

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It looks as if the FA have backtracked on their idea of a ‘fresh start’ which led to Allardyce’s appointment back in August. With Allardyce, the FA knew what they were getting but it was new for them and for England. Allardyce and his staff were to inject new levels of professionalism, energy and national pride. Although, all of this was still lacking when England beat Slovakia in Big Sam’s only game in charge.

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The FA have gone back to what they know, perhaps still embarrassed over Allardyce’s actions. Southgate is a man well on board with FA tradition. He first worked for them in 2011 before taking over the Under 21s in 2013. Southgate will not need time to settle into his surroundings that’s for sure.

The England team is full of internationals Southgate worked with and helped develop between 2013 and now. Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling and Eric Dier; all players who Southgate spent some time managing. His existing relationship with some of England’s future stars may have swayed the FA into looking more closely at Southgate this time and more than they did before they appointed Allardyce.

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That begs the question; If Southgate is the right man now, why wasn’t he four months ago?

Southgate stumbled upon the England job as the man ‘in the right place at the right time’. He had enough trust and respect from the FA already to carry the team through a four game period before a permanent successor was found.

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Southgate provides The FA with the perfect balance both on and off the field. He has relationships with most of the squad, particularly the younger players, who are at a vital stage of their own development. He also understands the FA values and expectations and will certainly not appear to be disgracing the organisation. He provides the change and gamble the England fans wanted but also the stability which is more important than ever for the FA.

Looking back now, Southgate seemed like the obvious choice all along, didn’t he?