Gareth Southgate appointment as England manager imminent according to reports

Gareth Southgate could be named England manager as early as Monday, with reports suggesting the Football Association has already offered him the job.

Southgate’s appointment is considered a fait accompli after he impressed a five-man interview panel at St George’s Park, underlining the groundwork already undertaken during a four-match stint as interim boss.

The fact that no further interviews have been conducted effectively settled the matter in Southgate’s favour but it was initially thought a final announcement would not take place until it had been ratified at an FA board meeting on Wednesday.

But reports in The Sun and Daily Telegraph suggested a firm offer has already been made and a deal could be made public at the start of next week.

The FA did not comment on the process when contacted by Press Association Sport.

Southgate was quizzed about his vision of the future for three hours by FA chairman Greg Clarke, chief executive Martin Glenn and technical director Dan Ashworth, with League Managers’ Association chairman Howard Wilkinson and former England left-back Graeme Le Saux also attending in an advisory capacity.

The quintet are thought to have reached a swift consensus that the former Middlesbrough manager was the right candidate to succeed Sam Allardyce and subsequent discussions have centred around logistical issues such as the terms of a mooted break clause in the contract.

Whereas Allardyce was contracted on an initial two-year deal, with the option to extend after the 2018 World Cup, Southgate is likely to be given a deal through to 2020 with a window to review his position after next summer’s tournament.

Staffing matters such as the role of Steve Holland, who could move permanently to the FA payroll despite Chelsea’s desire to keep him on their staff, have also taken time.

Holland has continued to hold down his job with the Blues during his time assisting Southgate at under-21 and senior level but that arrangement seems destined to end.

Chelsea are unlikely to stand in Holland’s way but may require compensation.

Southgate is also a strong believer in working closely with the under-21s and will have offered a strong opinion on his successor with the Young Lions.

Aidy Boothroyd stepped up from the under-20s during Southgate’s own temporary move but other names, notably Phil Neville, have been linked.