Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been impressed by the work at Middlesbrough of Gareth Southgate.

"Managing certainly has not got any easier," said O'Neill, "But Gareth Southgate's managerial experience now will be enormous.

"I think it is very difficult to go in and manage when you have just finished playing. I think he is going about doing the job in a quiet, dignified manner.

"He is an intelligent man and picks up things pretty easily. His experiences over the last two seasons have prepared him to deal with anything thrown at him. It is now more encouraging that British managers are getting the opportunity to manage.

"With Harry Redknapp going back in, suddenly Tottenham Hotspur have decided to ditch the role of director of football and give the responsibility to the manager and put some Britishness back into football.

"Harry coming into Tottenham would have given great hope to young managers."