As a former captain of Aston Villa, Gareth Southgate has more than a passing interest in who manages that particular club.
On Thursday he was at pains to hint that Dean Smith probably didn't deserve to be sacked while at the same point heralding the return of Steven Gerrard to English football.
It's not the identity of the new Villa boss that interests Southgate so much, more the nationality. With Eddie Howe joining Newcastle this week, the national boss is keen to see as many English coaches in circulation simply because he would like one of them to inherit his position one day.
Gareth Southgate has one eye towards the future and wants an English boss to succeed him
He was pleased to see Steven Gerrard (L) and Eddie Howe (R) land roles in the Premier League
One of Southgate's strengths with England is that he sees, cares for and influences a much wider football world than, for example, that which will unfold before him against Albania at Wembley.
The 51-year-old knows that for all the progress made on his five-year watch at the FA, the right person must emerge at some stage to take it all on. And he would like that person to be English.
'I think we (at the FA) want to be there for young English coaches, any English coaches really,' Southgate said. 'Eddie came to our last camp, for example, and we try to keep in contact with them as much as we can.
'It's great for them to have opportunities in the Premier League and doing well as we will want five or six English managers who could have this job in the future. That's got to be part of our succession planning and a desire for England to do well.
Southgate has made a lot of progress but knows the right person must inherit the project
'I was very disappointed for Dean Smith. He's done a brilliant job at Aston Villa and he's an excellent manager, so I wish him well. But it's nice to see another English manager (Gerrard) in the Premier League as well, and with Eddie going to Newcastle that's two English managers appointed this week.'
Southgate's reign with England has been successful and will continue on its trajectory of steady improvement when his team surely take the four points they need to guarantee qualification for the Qatar World Cup from the home and away fixtures with Albania and San Marino.
Equally, his time in charge has served to convince the FA of the widespread benefits of
