The English Football Federation (FA) appoints Gareth Southgate as new England manager

Gareth Southgate, 46, has been officially announced as the new England manager by the English Football Federation (FA) on Wednesday for the next four seasons, until the end of Euro 2020.

Southgate had been acting as interim coach in the last four matches of the national team, against Malta (2-0), Slovenia (0-0), Scotland (3-0) and Spain (2-2), following the highly publicized dismissal of Sam Allardyce on September 27, after only 67 days in charge.

"The Football Association announces that Gareth Southgate has been appointed as England manager. He has signed a four-year contract, which includes England's campaigns towards the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 European Championship," said the highest governing body of English football in a statement.

The young coach, former Middlesbrough coach and current Under-21 coach, said he is "tremendously proud" and promised to "give everything to offer the country a team they can be proud of."

"I am tremendously proud to have been appointed England coach. However, I am aware that getting the job is one thing, and doing it correctly is quite another. And I want the latter," said Southgate in a statement to the FA's website.

"I enjoyed the experience in these four matches and I believe this team has a lot of potential. I promise to give everything to offer the country a team they can be proud of and enjoy. The hard work starts now," added the coach, who will receive a salary close to two million pounds per year (2.3 million euros).

Southgate's first match as England manager, who won 57 caps as a player, will be on March 22 in a friendly game against Germany at Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund's stadium.

The coach, who has become the sixteenth England manager in history, was interviewed last week at St. George's Park by a panel of five members of the Federation, including president Greg Clarke, executive director Martin Glenn, and technical director Dan Ashworth.

"We are delighted to announce Gareth as England manager. He is someone we know well, and his knowledge of international football and the lower levels here at St. George's Park is important," expressed Glenn.

"He did very well during the four matches he was interim coach and impressed us during the tough interviews he went through. Gareth is a winner and that is key in this job," said the FA's executive director.

Southgate succeeds Sam Allardyce, who was dismissed last October after only 67 days in charge, following his involvement in a transfer corruption scandal.

Just over two months after his appointment, British newspaper The Telegraph released a secretly recorded video in which Allardyce explains, among other things, how to circumvent transfer market regulations.

In the footage, 'Big Sam' is seen negotiating with supposed businessmen a deal worth 400,000 pounds (460,000 euros) to represent an Asian investment firm and give lectures at certain events.

The coach also tells another fictitious businessman how to bypass regulations regarding player ownership by third parties, a controversial practice prohibited by the FA since 2008.

During the secret recording, the coach also makes comments about other personalities in the football world and even the British royal family.

The England national team is currently in first place in Group F in the UEFA qualifying phase for the 2018 World Cup, with 10 points, two more than Slovenia and four more than Slovakia.

In the fifth round, Southgate's men will host Lithuania on March 2 at Wembley Stadium in London