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Southgate excited by 'huge potential' of England

Carl Recine / Reuters

By taking over the reins of England, Gareth Southgate accepted a position that could make the shortlist on reality television series, 'World's Toughest Jobs.'

"I am extremely proud to be appointed England manager," Southgate told the FA. "However, I'm also conscious that getting the job is one thing, now I want to do the job successfully."

The ex-Middlesbrough manager knows his appointment is just the tip of an iceberg that the British public have watched melt away through international failures, culminating in a woeful defeat against Iceland at Euro 2016.

Related: Southgate confirmed as full-time England manager

But while there is always potential for disaster - due to exceedingly high public expectations - Southgate believes the squad can reverse course.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed working with the players over these past four games and I think there's huge potential," he said. "I'm determined to give everything I have to give the country a team that they're proud of and one that they're going to enjoy watching play and develop.

"For me, the hard work starts now."

Southgate - who was appointed interim manager after Sam Allardyce's firing in September - put pen to paper on a full-time, four-year deal Wednesday, which will include the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn, technical director Dan Ashworth, and chairman Greg Clarke "unanimously agreed" that Southgate was the right man for the job, after assessing his performance during a four-game trial as interim bench boss.

Southgate's first match on a permanent basis will be against Germany, in an international friendly in Dortmund on March 22, 2017.

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