Vic Bragg has become an England manager four years after missing out on a national job.

Bragg, director at Albion's centre of excellence, has been appointed English Schools' under-18s boss.

The Langley Green deputy head guided the likes of Jermaine Defoe when he was the under-15s' assistant manager.

But his chance to be No.1 was denied when the FA took over the age group He said: "It was normal for the assistant to get the top job the following season, but the timing was unfortunate. I fully understood because the FA wanted continuity using their own set up "But the English Schools were left to run their own squad at under-18s and it has got me an England manager's job. It makes up for the disappointment of missing out last time. It's nice to get the recognition.

"I love to work with good players and that's what I do at Brighton and with England. Many of the English Schools' under-15s I worked with have gone on to become professionals like Jermaine, who is with West Ham, plays for England under-21s and nearly made the World Cup.

"Others who have gone on to be professionals like Peter Clarke, who is at Everton, and Stuart Parnaby is with Middlesborough. They are England under-20 internationals.

"The players I will be working with have stayed on at school a bit longer but nonetheless are good players. I've been assistant for two years and about three of the boys have gone on to be pros, like Ollie Rowland from Brighton who played at Crystal Palace. All the players have been a pleasure to work with."

Bragg, who has been at Albion for nine years, hopes his new job will be a springboard into professional management.

He said: "I'd love to give it a go. I might be 53 now and spent 35 years coaching but the likes of Bobby Robson are an inspiration to us older types! I feel I can do a job."

Bragg will take a balanced approach into his first international role as a No.1.

He said: "I'll be clear about what I want. I'm quiet but I will let them know what I want. I will not rant and rave, although sometimes players will need telling off.

"I'll be quite analytical. If two sides in a game are equal physically and skill-wise, then it's down to tactics and mental application.

"You have to be strong mentally. Just look at David Beckham taking that penalty against Argentina. Who could have done that?

"As a manager you must have respect for your players and they must have respect for you."

Bragg believes a little of the Sven-Goran Erikisson approach will rub off on him when he takes his first England training session at Keele University in August.

He said: "I'm reading a book written by Sven and a sports psychologist. He is a quiet, sophisticated type, very astute tactically as he showed against Argentina by tightening the midfield.

"He believes very much in the mental side of things, that players must play to their potential as individuals and be part of a team by concentrating on being focused and disciplined. He hates any waste. He is also strong and makes decisions, which is something I've been a part of at Brighton when centre of excellence players get released. I'll be taking a bit of what Sven believes into my England job."

England will defend the Centenary Shield against Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while the Republic of Ireland will also join the competition for the first time next season.

A friendly against the United Arab Emirates has been lined up at Chelsea and a possible pre-season tour.

Bragg said: "I have a tough act to follow in Malcolm Herd and his squad, which included Alex Harrison from Eastbourne. But I feel I can be a success."