Gareth Southgate has told the Football Association that he has no interest in taking on the England job.
The 45-year-old was labelled as the "obvious choice" to take the role on an interim basis by FA chief executive Martin Glenn in the wake of Roy Hodgson’s resignation following England’s Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland.
But widespread reports are now claiming that Southgate, who is currently the manager of England Under-21s, has reservations about the role and whether it would be the right step at this time in his career.
The FA is keen to appoint a new manager by the time England begin their World Cup qualifying against Slovakia on September 4.
Arsene Wenger remains a candidate to succeed Hodgson, while Glenn Hoddle, who managed England for three years between 1996 and 1999, is also in the frame.
..... - Goal