Interim England boss Gareth Southgate insists his future remains "unimportant" as he plots a win over Scotland.
The 46-year-old is halfway through a four-game caretaker spell after he replaced Sam Allardyce, who left after just one match, in September.
His initial reign will end after November's World Cup qualifier with Scotland and friendly against Spain and the search for Allardyce's permanent successor will not start until after those games.
Southgate remains relaxed over his long-term future and whether he will continue full-time, although the Football Association has made it clear he is a candidate, with chief executive Martin Glenn describing him as "really credible".
Southgate told Press Association Sport: "The task I've been asked to pick up hasn't changed and I'm very clear of where my focus needs to be. Everything else is unimportant, I've been asked to do something for not only our organisation but our country. I want to do that well as possible.
"I've said right through it's been an honour to do it, that hasn't changed in terms of looking forward to the work each day and I want to do it well. I've been given a responsibility that I take seriously. I'm not just here lapping up the six weeks, I want to do it successfully because that's my professional pride.
"I'm very clear on some of the areas we'd like to work on next time we're together and I shall look forward to that but there's still a bit of planning before."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is out of contract in the summer, has been linked with the England job yet has backed Southgate for the role long-term but the caretaker boss is just pleased to have more time to prepare for his next squad.
"I don't know what Arsene has said because I've shut myself off from everything but I'm clear on the strengths and weaknesses I have. I'll review the 10-day camp and what we did well and what would like to improve on next time," he said.
"We have a bit more time this time, an opportunity to watch more of the players at their club to piece together where they're at. That's all helpful to prepare for the Scotland game.
"What I focus my reflection on is our performances and what we can do improve for the game against Scotland and how we can set out to be top of the group."
England are top of Group F after Southgate guided them to a 2-0 win over Malta and a 0-0 draw in Slovenia in his first two games after Allardyce left, having lasted 67 days in the job, following a Daily Telegraph investigation into corruption .
Southgate, who has temporarily been replaced as Under-21 manager by Aidy Boothroyd, wants to ensure the Three Lions remain ahead in the group and remains focused on the international derby ahead of facing Spain.
He said: "Scotland is a World Cup qualifier, in terms of the importance for England that's key and it's the next game. Spain is a great opportunity to test yourself against one of the best teams in the world. Really we aim to come out of the game with Scotland top of the group and that's the only test we're looking for really."
Scotland boss Gordon Strachan is under massive pressure having failed to reach Euro 2016 and suffered a poor start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, despite having signed a new two-year deal in the summer.
Strachan replaced Southgate as Middlesbrough boss in 2009 and Southgate takes no pleasure in his international rival's struggles.
He added: "Every coach and manager empathises when other coaches have a difficult moment. We have all lived through it, you know exactly how that feels and I know internationally that carries more weight than at a club. I can understand and empathise with what he must be feeling."
Source: PA
