PETER Taylor believes Gareth Southgate should remain in charge of the England senior team.

Southgate is currently caretaker manager of the Three Lions after replacing Sam Allardyce in charge.

But the Benfleet based Taylor - who also managed England at senior and under 21 level - believes Southgate should get the job on a permanent basis.

“Gareth has done a good job with the under 21s and I think he should be the automatic choice to step up now,” said Taylor.

“I’ve heard people saying he’s not experienced enough and isn’t 100 per cent ready.

“But he will be able to get experienced people around him in his coaching staff and I would definitely like to see the job go to an Englishman.”

Southgate will spend at least four games in charge of England and picked up a total of four points from his first two matches in charge.

The Three Lions beat Malta 2-0 at Wembley before drawing 0-0 in Slovenia.

But Taylor - who played for and also managed Southend United - knows only too well what it is like to step up from the under 21s to manage the senior side.

“The under 21 games are much lower key and you’re looking to improve and develop players but the senior team is just about winning,” said Taylor, who bossed England to a 1-0 defeat in Italy in 2000.

“It’s all about making sure you get the right results and it’s not really so much about the performances.”

However, one man who Taylor feels should help make that happen is Wayne Rooney.

The Manchester United star has been heavily criticised this season and was left out of the starting line-up in Slovenia.

But Taylor believes the England captain should not be on the bench.

“The one thing I don’t agree with is leaving out Wayne Rooney,” said the Rochford born Taylor who is now assistant manager of New Zealand.

“He seems to be a little bit unpopular at the moment and maybe that’s led to him being left out.

“But as soon as things go a bit wonky the first thing that happens is Wayne coming on.

“He has a lot of experience and I definitely think he should be starting.”

England’s next game is against Scotland next month.