World Cup 2018: Gareth Southgate's job is safe - Martin Glenn
Last updated on .From the section England
England manager Gareth Southgate has been told his job is safe even if his side lose every game at next year's World Cup in Russia.
Southgate oversaw a successful qualification campaign for the finals, where England will face Belgium, Tunisia and Panama in the group stage.
FA chief executive Martin Glenn says the manager will retain his position "for the next few tournaments".
"We have a long-term plan. You've seen some of the fruits of it," Glenn said.
- World Cup draw: England face Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in Group G
- World Cup 2018: Southgate 'will not write off' tournament
Southgate, 47, took charge of England on a permanent basis 12 months ago, signing a four-year contract.
"Long-term plans are hard to defend when the short-term results go against you," added Glenn, who was quoted in several national newspapers.
"He's not looking at Russia as a free pass. The World Cup's a really important staging post for our development, I think.
"We go out there wanting to win it but also being realistic. No-one wants to have a bad World Cup but we're confident he's the right guy to take us through for the next few tournaments."
England's future hopes have been buoyed by age-group successes this year, including Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup victories, and Glenn says having a long-term vision is the way forward.
"We're going to do it in a way that's sustainable," he said.
"We know that worked for the Germans and we know that worked for the Spanish, so we're just repeating things they've done with our own emphasis on it."
Spain were crowned 2010 World Cup and 2012 European champions during manager Vicente del Bosque's eight-year spell as manager, while Germany boss Joachim Low has been in the job 11 years during which time he has led them to 2014 World Cup victory and runner-up spot at the 2008 Euros.
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Problem is he is afraid to drop Joe Hart even though Hart has been an underachiever for some time now.
a. There aren't any obvious alternatives.
b. Southgate has done ok given the players available.
c. He's been involved in the setup that's producing success a youth levels.
Give him a chance to develop a style of play and bring some of the youth players through.
The barrier to future success is how much playing time those kids will get in the PL.
Get behind your team!
A long term plan will not work if you keep chopping and changing the management.
"First and only world cup bet placed - England out at the group stages. Always my first bet, always the one that pays off."
Considering 2014 was the first time England hadn't made it out of the group stages since you were old enough to bet, I'm not sure how it always pays off?
You're obviously a really bad gambler and must be skint. I would find another hobby if I was you.
He should state those intentions by not taking Hart, Henderson etc. To the world cup
You actually get the impression that Southgate is there not just for the money. I like that.
He has played for England in major tournaments fairly recently and he has been involved in the youth team set up and seems not afraid to use them at senior level, given their success.
I'm liking this.
“Where’s the incentive / motivation?”
How about the fact you’re leading your country at a World Cup!! Do people really think that Southgate will simply relax because he knows he will probably have a few tournaments to fulfil his objectives?
If the FA are showing some slightly longer term thinking then should this not be applauded? Nothing else has worked!
You're happy when we win and dismissive when we lose, you are what I call fair weather fans and are of no value to any team.
We have the foundations for developing a great future and yet you mock and criticise. Support your national team and be a real fan.
Martin Glenn knows about football ... said no one ever
"If that's the case, why aren't Spain and Germany winning every tournament they enter?"
They've won 4 out of the last 5 and are two of the favourites going into next summers tournament? That's not bad going don't you think?