England vs Spain: 'I've brought a new front foot style to England,' says Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate said on Tuesday night that he had introduced a new “front foot” pressing style to England’s football and proved he could “handle big occasions” after a draw against Spain left him a near dead cert to be permanent manager

The interim manager admitted that the Spaniards’ late comeback at Wembley – scoring twice in the last seven minutes to draw 2-2 – felt “like a defeat for the players.” But he made it clear that he felt had brought a new and bold dimension to the national team’s performance against the former World Cup and European Championships winners.

“I've proved that I can handle big occasions,” Southgate said. “I've proved I can manage big matches; that I can tactically – with the help of my staff – prepare a team to play against a top side and give them a tough test. I feel every situation I've been through, and many have been complex and potential powder kegs, we've coped with very well.

“We had long discussions before the game about our approach, wanting to be a front foot team pressing high. If we were going to be defeated it was going to be being positive and brave without the ball. You pay the price. We were fatiguing in the last 20 minutes, and they are a top, top side. It feels like a defeat for the players, but I couldn't be prouder of their efforts. It was a healthy, positive performance.”

Asked about a report on Tuesday that Wayne Rooney was drinking until 5am on Saturday morning with England team-mates after Friday’s 3-0 win over Scotland, Southgate said: “Wayne was injured in the game on Friday, couldn't train Sunday, and that's it.” The player withdrew from the squad on Sunday with a knee injury.”

The 46-year-old interim manager appears willing to accept a break-clause in a new four-year England contract, which would allow the Football Association to review his position after the 2018 World Cup. He said he did think the side had improved during four games unbeaten under his management.

“Without doubt, the longer you work with any team, with any group, you have the chance to embed more ideas, review each game and learn from it,” he said. “Putting a bit more detail in. There's only so much you can address in three or four days, so we've tried to build blocks with specifics for each game.

“[Against Spain] the detail of how we wanted to build from the back was different to how we wanted to press. The players are bullish about how they want to play. I'm pleased with the way we pressed and used the ball going forward on the counter attack. We started to tire in the second half and that's where keeping the ball better will allow us to conserve energy better. We played one of the best teams in the world and I can't have asked for any more.”

Though Liverpool’s Adam Lallana was substituted after 27 minutes after sustaining an injury under a Thiago challenge, he was not limping as he left Wembley and said he was “okay.”

Southgate said of Lallana: “He's an intelligent footballer who is now adding goals to his game for England.”