Terry Butcher backs Gareth Southgate for England job

Former England captain Terry Butcher has backed Gareth Southgate to get the manager's job on a permanent basis.

Southgate has been in interim charge of the team since Sam Allardyce's ill-fated reign came to an end, but Tuesday's friendly against Spain will see his four-game contract expire.

However, the former Under-21 manager is the favourite to land the job on a permanent basis, and Butcher believes that he is the best available option.

"I think he's the right man - he's a personable guy and he wants to learn and adapt," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I think there's a lot of going into the classroom for Gareth with England, he'll learn in the job and I think he'll learn well - he's got the capacity and the brain power. He'll certainly develop his own coaching prowess at international level - give him the job and give him it now.

"I read someone saying [they will] perhaps wait until Arsene Wenger makes a decision about his Arsenal future, but I can't see it being the case. It may be [in that eventuality] that Gareth walks away and says, you've had your chance, it's gone."

Southgate has won two and drawn one of his three games in charge of the team so far.