5 reasons why Gareth Southgate should not get the England job

England laboured to a disappointing 0-0 draw away at Slovenia last night in Gareth Southgate’s second game in temporary charge.

The Three Lions were flat and lethargic throughout the 90 minutes, and had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank for getting at least a point in Ljubljana.

It was Southgate’s second game of a four-match interview process for the permanent role, following a 2-0 win over Malta on Saturday, but tougher challenges are to come for the former Middlesbrough manager next month against Scotland and Spain.

Nevertheless, many England fans are already questioning whether Southgate is or is not the right man to take over permanently.

Here are SHOOT‘s FIVE reasons why he should not get the job full-time…

Uninspiring performances against Malta and Slovenia

Four points from his first two games in charge, off the back of a disastrous European Championships, is not a bad return, but England have looked far from convincing in either match.

We should remember that Southgate has not had long with the team, and had to pick his first squad days after taking over the reins.

But England were flat in three of the four halves of football they played this week. First-half against Malta was bright – Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli got themselves on the scoresheet – but the second was uninspiring.

I’m not sure what Southgate said at half-time, but I hope that what he asked for was not reflected in that 45-minute display.

Tuesday night was even more lethargic and, although he should not be blamed for the individual errors that almost cost England, the tempo has to be set by the manager, and England just weren’t intense and energetic enough to deserve the win.

It’s still early days, but those England performances were not at all great, and couldn’t have done Southgate’s case for the permanent role much good.

Nothing more than a safe option to please the FA

The FA wanted Southgate to come in and steady the ship after a tricky few weeks in both the lead up and the aftermath of Sam Allardyce’s departure.

And, after two games, it appears that he’s done just that. But the big question is can he do more than just steady things, and take England to the next level? I’m not so sure.

Allardyce was not going to be ‘yes man’ and, based on what’s happened, the FA may revert back to a safer option, which Southgate certainly would be.

He’s good with the media, clearly knows the system, and will portray the FA in a positive manner, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the best man for the England job.

Is he really that ruthless?

Southgate’s decision to drop captain Wayne Rooney has been deemed by many as a ruthless one which illustrates a side to the 46-year-old that many didn’t know existed.

Yet, surely this was a decision that was long overdue?

Getting the best out of Wayne Rooney has been an issue for a number of managers in recent years, and there are and have been players in the midfield area who are and have been in better form than the Manchester United man, so he shouldn’t be in the starting eleven.

Ruthlessness should also translate into the games as well.

He waited too long to bring on Andros Townsend and Marcus Rashford against Slovenia the other night in a game that was crying out for energy, directness, and pace.

Lack of managerial experience

Apart from his stint with the Under-21 side, Southgate has very little management experience.

He spent three years at Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009 and, although he kept Boro in the top-flight in 2007 and 2008, Southgate was in charge when the Teesside club got relegated in 2009.

He then lost his job just a few months into the Championship season. It’s hardly a managerial career worthy of the England job.

Yes, he has done well with the Under-21’s, but look at his indifferent tournament record with them, and there are still question marks about his overall managerial abilities.

Similar feel to that of Steve McClaren

I feel similarly about appointing Southgate as I did when England appointed Steve McClaren back in 2006.

The former Newcastle United and Derby County boss was promoted from his role at Sven-Goran Eriksson’s number two, having arguably done very little to earn that right.

Just because McClaren knew a bit about how things work around the FA doesn’t necessarily mean that he will be a success, and that was ultimately proven when England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

The same could be said of Southgate.