Gareth Southgate: England Under-21s boss agrees new deal

Southgate has guided the under-21 side to 11 wins in his 12 games in charge

England Under-21s coach Gareth Southgate has agreed a one-year contract extension with the Football Association, which will keep him in post until the summer of 2017.

The 44-year-old was appointed in August 2013 to succeed Stuart Pearce.

He has guided England to this summer's European Championships.

"Gareth is an outstanding individual. I'm happy to see him commit further to his work with the Under-21s," said FA technical director Dan Ashworth.

Southgate will attempt to guide England to a first European Under-21 Championship success since 1984 in Czech Republic this summer.

His side have been drawn in a group with Italy, Sweden and Portugal, who they open their campaign against in Uherske Hradiste on 18 June.

Southgate is also head of national teams at the FA's training centre at St George's Park.

The former England and Middlesbrough defender has been involved in establishing the FA's 'DNA' philosophy for teams and, prior to that, conducted the youth development review.

"Whilst I am happy with the direction we are heading and the progress made so far, we have enormous work ahead of us to raise the level to where we would like to be," said Southgate.

"It is a big challenge, but an exciting one."