Gareth Southgate: 'I don't like the football industry, but I love the sport'

England Under-21s manager Gareth Southgate looks on during the match against USA Under-23s on September 3, 2015
© SilverHub
England interim boss Gareth Southgate admits that he does not like the football industry, but 'loves' the sport.

England interim manager Gareth Southgate has admitted that he does not like the football industry, but 'loves' the sport.

The 46-year-old has been promoted from his job as England Under-21s boss to take charge of the senior team on a temporary basis for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The Football Association is looking for a permanent manager following the departure of Sam Allardyce, who was forced out after being implicated in The Telegraph's investigation into corruption.

The former Sunderland boss was secretly filmed appearing to tell undercover reporters how to "get around" the FA's ban on third-party ownership of players.

In this morning's press conference, when asked for his views on the scandal, Southgate said: "I'm involved in a sport I love, and an industry that at times I don't like.

"I'm not au fait with what happened because I was genuinely locked away. I can't speculate on what happened. There's lots about the industry of football I don't like but it's a sport I love."

When asked if it was the right decision to sack Allardyce, Southgate replied: "I haven't spoken with Sam, I've exchanged messages with him. I think decisions around whether he stays or goes, that's not my bag, it's the hierarchy of the organisation and frankly I have more to deal with for the next seven weeks."

Meanwhile, Southgate has given Stoke City full-back Glen Johnson a surprise call-up to the squad for qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.

England Under-21s manager Gareth Southgate looks on during his side's match against Croatia Under-21 on October 10, 2014
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