FA chief Dan Ashworth reckons England coach Gareth Southgate could take charge of Real Madrid in the future!

Julen Lopetegui left the World Cup on the eve of the tournament after Real Madrid decided the Spain coach was the man the La Liga giants to fill the hot seat at the Bernabeu vacated by Zinedine Zidane.

“When Gareth does leave, let's hope it is because he has done such a good job that he has been whisked off to Real Madrid," Ashworth said of the former Middlesbrough manager and Crystal Palace captain.

“Gareth is an exceptional leader. He's empathetic, he's articulate, he's got high emotional intelligence, he's got a really good understanding of connecting the players and getting the best out of the players and the staff.

“So what's ended up happening is that Gareth, and I have to say it's Gareth, has brought together a way of working for the players and the staff that it is one big group of people. And that's him.

“That's how he worked with the Under-21s as well. So he's been instrumental on that and has to take the credit."