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Southgate wants time to 'reflect' before considering England candidacy

Eddie Keogh / Reuters

Gareth Southgate gave no indication that the Football Association suits were sitting him in front of a contract and pen after England's 3-0 defeat of Scotland, saying that he first needs time to consider whether he wants the full-time job.

The 46-year-old has been serving as interim manager since Sam Allardyce was given the boot in September due to his involvement in The Telegraph's week-long "Football for Sale" expose, and has guided the Three Lions to seven points from a possible nine in World Cup qualification.

Related: 3 takeaways from England's Wembley stroll over Scotland

It's widely believed that should be enough to land him a longer term in charge of England - but that's only if he fancies it.

"I will enjoy tonight. I was asked to take the job for four games and to keep the country top of the group," the former Middlesbrough boss told ITV Sport post-match. "Tonight was important for the supporters and the team. It was important they came through a pressure game, especially at Wembley."

He added: "I want time to go away and reflect. I have loved doing it but it is an opportunity for everyone to have time. The FA can decide what they want to do."

The fourth match of Southgate's temporary term is on Tuesday, when Spain visits Wembley in a friendly. That country's philosophy follows some of what Southgate is trying to bring to England, such as passing from the back and a greater fluidity in the channels and between players' roles.

"We caused problems from ourselves. We want to play out from the back and were sloppy in that area. It is something to improve on," Southgate assessed. "We caused our own problems but once we were through that phase on the field some of our use of the ball was fantastic.

"The team in an attacking sense played well. We played with an interchange of positions and there were some superb individual performances and we managed the game well towards the end."

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