Gareth Southgate appears certain to be handed the permanent England job after his rivals were warned that, barring a disaster, the former defender will be appointed full-time manager after next week’s friendly against Spain.

It seems that only a humiliating World Cup qualifying defeat by Scotland at Wembley on Friday night could ruin the plan to appoint Southgate, with the result against Spain next Tuesday not thought to be a threat to his prospects.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that sources close to the decision-making process have informed managers who had still harboured slim hopes of being considered that the intention is to announce Southgate as the permanent manager after the Spain match.