Gareth Southgate is England's new U21 head coach

• Press Association, Thursday, August 22, 2013 4:14 PM

Former Middlesbrough coach Gareth Southgate has been named new head coach of the England Under-21 team. Southgate, 42, succeeds Stuart Pearce, whose contract was not renewed by the English FA following a disappointing European Championship campaign in June.

"I'm delighted to get this role and extremely excited about the prospect of working with the best and brightest young players in the country," Southgate said. "Since retiring as a player I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience of the game both here and abroad, and I'm eager to play my part in preparing players to compete at the highest level."

Southgate will also oversee the coaches with responsibility for the Under-20s through to the Under-16s. Southgate, who played for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, played 57 times for England.

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