Gareth Southgate has been linked to the Manchester United job, but is loving life as England manager and believes the best is yet come.
The 48-year-old oversaw a remarkable 2018 at the Three Lions helm, with his side reaching the World Cup semi-finals before qualifying for the inaugural Nations League finals this summer.
Southgate's work on and off the field led the Football Writers' Association to honour the England manager at its tribute evening at the Savoy on Sunday.
The manager has also attracted plenty of plaudits and admiring glances, with the former defender reportedly under consideration to be a permanent replacement for Jose Mourinho as United boss in the summer.
Asked in the wake of such stories whether he feels totally professionally fulfilled by the England job, Southgate told Sky Sports: 'I'm the England manager and it's a privileged position to be in.
'We've had the best year for 28 years and we've got a semi-final this summer and a European Championship that's predominantly at Wembley, providing we take care of business to qualify.
'So, it's a hugely exciting time with the team. I don't think we've progressed as far as we can yet. I think there's room for us to grow.
'So, I think there's a lot of importance in life about enjoying what you're doing, and I am still a young coach.
'I've managed less than 200 matches, so, for me, it's an honour to be in the role I'm in and I thoroughly enjoy it.'
Southgate's first big interview of 2019 came ahead of the FWA's evening celebrating England's squad and staff as a whole in central London.
'I'm conscious I've received lots of credit over the last couple of months in particular, but as a manager you're entirely in the hands of your team - both the players and the support team,' the Three Lions boss said.
'I am fortunate to work with really good people in both of those groups - very talented, good characters.
'Also, when you're having tributes, you're thinking, 'Well, the job is not done for us yet, there's a lot for us to go for and a lot of improvement for us to make'.
'It's really nice to be recognised and equally it shouldn't just be about me. That's for sure.'
Among his key components has been England captain and Golden Boot winner Harry Kane, who has been ruled out until March with an ankle issue suffered in Tottenham's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
'Well, you never want to see a player missing football. It's important for him and important for his club,' Southgate said.
'He has had a lot of matches over a two-year period now and inevitably at times the body takes care of itself.
'You know, it gives you a sign that it's ready for a rest and he'll use that time wisely.
'I am already aware that he's focused on getting back as quickly as possible and he's determined to be back helping Tottenham as quickly as possible.
'And I'm sure they and England will get a player that's refreshed from that little break and stronger again, and hungry to go.'
In his acceptance speech, Southgate highlighted the relationship with the media and how it is vital to a successful England squad.
He said: 'I know the relationship with the press has been strained, it was the case when I was a player.
'We were playing with fear, worried about making a mistake, how it would be perceived by the public and how it would be reported. We forgot about what it would feel like if we won.
'It's a message we tried to get to the players and the feelings relaxed. We felt win, lose or draw we should face the music. Too often (when he was a player) one or two of us had to do the conferences when we lost and when times were good there were several more volunteers.
'On behalf of all of the team, thank you to the Football Writers' for this tribute, I'm very proud to lead the country and I hope we can continue to make you proud as a team.'
WasimRaz
0
Great Decision
Herve2
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of couse with the club job he will be relegated in 6 month.
Yusufyinka
1
We want Ole
ST-B
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so what happened to lopetegui? oh yes .
Yaaaceortu
2
I really don't think if we need zidane,let Ole do his role, till end of the summer and see how he performs.
Davichi
2
Southgate is definitely not one of the contenders for the Man Utd managerial job so there's no need talking about him in that regard.
Fepbdensy
2
please stay at England football team brother Ole deserves
ranbenosu
2
we want zidan not Southgate...
Tehadkrsty
1
We don't need that man..!!
Voblnpz
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England is doing well. Southgate won't move. Its a more stable job there. United don't need him and He can't fill in the shoes. There's no love between the 2. He is a Southampton guy to begin with.
Does it mean that Man U hate Southampton? You just said there is no love
SimonHaindongo
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Southgate is nonsense mahn.. he can't do well at club level.
zeoabilmyz
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He doesn't even have the pedigree to be Utd manager , talk less of getting mentioned as a,candidate
THEanonymousX
1
Good he isn't doing the same mistake done by Lopetegui
Cusbcdop
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England is doing well. Southgate won't move. Its a more stable job there. United don't need him and He can't fill in the shoes. There's no love between the 2. He is a Southampton guy to begin with.
Tomshara1802
1
southgate its suckkk..[Unlike][Unlike]..
chidesco1
1
The three lion's are getting even better. Very soon, they'll be a squad and force to reckon with.
JamesKwoffie
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Southgate should not try the hot seat ole is occupying.. he should be satisfied with his young English team. I hope the best is yet to come shortly.
Dannydrexx
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Looking at Rashford ,Sterling, Lingard ,Kane Ali (just to name a few ) you can believe with me that the three lions future is save
Gabrieljackson
1
all the best southy
oiiopps
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That confidence is very well appreciated.
Josephs
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"Really"....He's not even a Top Class International Manager.
Johnnytut
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You can stay where you are pal thank you.
Messifcblove
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Tactically not good enough for top job as was shown in world cup refused to make correct subs when players were obviously tiring which cost us v Croatia
ROSEGARDEN
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everyone's confident about that
prosperou
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England only scored three times from open play in six games, one of which was a lucky deflection off Harry Kane against Panama. England had fewer shots on target per 90 minutes than half of the teams at the tournament, behind the likes of Tunisia, Iceland and Peru. With stats like that MUFC would have been better sticking with Jose M. At lease he's actuallyu wone something as a manager!
terrifica
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Thank God for that.
janabarca
1
south gate showed us he is a great coach at world cup best 2nd finish after 20 years hope they can fo better in euro and nations league its a joy to watch his set pieces
Kennethw
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Seriously you couldn't make this up - Southgate is a domestic and international lightweight. He isn't qualified to get an interview never mind a job in the Premier League.
The knives are out again... All because he didn't get England to the World Cup final...
Foliage
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Seriously you couldn't make this up - Southgate is a domestic and international lightweight. He isn't qualified to get an interview never mind a job in the Premier League.
Dirk410
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Any appraisal of Southgate's managerial credentials must include scrutiny of his indifferent experience at Middlesbrough. Naturally enough, that episode has been airbrushed from history in a wave of irrrational exuberance following a lucky streak at the World Cup.
Edmunder
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Our best tournament finish for 22 years, also being our joint 2nd best finish at a World Cup, so soon after the shambles of Euro 2016 and Brazil 2014. Finalists in the new Nations League. The only criticism of Southgate is that he didn't reach the World Cup final, as if that was the minimum requirement. He's given us reason to be proud of our national team again. Hats off to him for that.
HarithHaziq
2
'On behalf of all of the team, thank you to the Football Writers' for this tribute, I'm very proud to lead the country and I hope we can continue to make you proud as a team.' Well said the Manager
keep up your good work
From Manchester United Malaysia fan supporter