Gareth Southgate Appointed England Manager: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

England have appointed Gareth Southgate as their new manager, it was confirmed on Wednesday.

News of the decision came via the team's official Twitter feed:

Per Sky Sports News HQ, Southgate is eager to continue his work:

"

Southgate: "I'm determined to give everything I have to give the country a team they're proud of." #SSNHQ

— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) November 30, 2016"

The former England defender takes on the position after a four-game spell as interim boss, the most recent of which was the 2-2 draw against Spain at Wembley Stadium on November 15; prior to that, Southgate had steered the Three Lions to wins over Scotland and Malta, as well as a draw against Slovenia.

Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph reported earlier this month that the contract on the table for the new England boss contains a "break clause" that can be actioned after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while the 46-year-old will reportedly take home an annual salary of £1.5 million.

BBC Sport's Dan Walker approved of the decision:

Since taking over from Sam Allardyce in the role, Southgate has shown a calm assurance as manager. Barney Ronay of the Guardian previously praised his temperament:

Indeed, the team have largely reacted well to the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough man. England have been far from spectacular in their competitive matches, but wins at home and draws on the road are typically sufficient to sail through the qualification process.

Southgate is a man who'll be well aware of how things work in the England setup and is very much a product of the Football Association system. After three years as Boro boss, he was appointed as the Three Lions’ under-21 coach in 2013, and the team qualified for the UEFA under-21 European Championship in 2015.

With that experience in mind, there's a hope the new boss will look to put faith in youth moving forward. Ushering the next generation in will be vital if England are to reestablish themselves as a force in the future.

TOBIAS SCHWARZ/Getty Images

For some, this will be an underwhelming appointment. After all, England's national team remains at a low ebb following the appalling performances at the 2016 UEFA European Championship, culminating in a 2-1 loss to Iceland. Many feel a vibrant presence with a proven track record is needed to invigorate this team.

Southgate, for all his qualities, isn't that, and although there have been some positive glimpses under his tenure, aside from the clash with Spain, the opposition faced has been of a mediocre standard.

Nevertheless, attracting a manager with the skills aforementioned will be difficult for the FA, as England are now very much a second-tier side with recent major tournament showings considered. Southgate, like his predecessors, faces a huge challenge to propel this group of players back to the top table of international football.