Last month marked the fifth anniversary of Gareth Southgate's first game in charge of England, with the team having achieved quite a bit in the time since.
A final and semi-final appearance at major tournaments is nothing to be sniffed at, although there is a sense that England perhaps had a portion of luck go their way on both occasions. Their runs of fixtures in both the World Cup and the Euros were fairly kind, with their only win of real note coming against a Germany side that were well short of form.
Southgate's tactics have also come under criticism at various points, especially for the conservative way he has approached many games. Next year's World Cup will go a long way to defining his legacy as England boss, although some believe he has done a brilliant job up to this point.
Speaking on ITV after last night's routine win over Andorra, Roy Keane admitted he was an admirer of Southgate and suggested that the 51-year old could use next year's tournament in Qatar as a launching pad to get a top job in club football.
It's easier said that done (to win a tournament). I agree with everything the lads have said, I think he's done a brilliant job.
He is lucky as well. He's working with top quality players, but he's still got to manage them. Off the pitch he comes across really well. We have worked with Gareth and he's a really top guy.
I'll be intrigued to see how they do at the next World Cup, because Gareth will have to be looking at an exit plan for himself. How long does he want to do it? He will have opportunities to go to club level, especially if big jobs come around.
He has done an excellent job, but he's trying to get his hands on that trophy which is really, really difficult...
You need a bit of luck in this game and I think the job coming up for him was perfect. He had played international football, had a go at club level and had some up ups and downs with that. He managed the U21s and knew some of the players coming through at the younger age groups, it was a perfect fit.
It's also the way he comes across off the pitch through the media which is an important role, particularly with England and the press interest.
You can't knock the guy, he's a good and decent guy. I've worked with Gareth, played against him, managed against him, and he's a really, really decent guy.
It's not often Keane heaps praise on like this.
Ian Wright agreed with the Irishman's assessment that the World Cup could well be Southgate's last tournament with England, especially if they managed to win it.
It think he does (leave if they win the World Cup), I think he would do. I think he would want to leave it for someone else, there's not much more he could do.
The way Gareth is, and knowing him like I do, he has got unfinished business with England and he has got so close.
We're not that far away and probably the World Cup will be it. Hopefully we can win it and that would be a brilliant and fitting end for him.
Winning that tournament will certainly be no easy task, with the likes of Italy, France, and Spain perhaps more equipped to bring home the trophy as things currently stand.
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