England can’t keep playing the way they do and need to produce more technically gifted players – Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate – Middlesbrough (PA)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Gareth Southgate has begun to outline his objectives as the new head of elite development at the FA by stating that England must start producing a new kind of technically more skilled player if they are to compete at major tournaments.

The former Middlesbrough boss has admitted that things must change if the Three Lions are to improve, pointing to the Spanish model as the example to aspire to.

He told The Guardian: “I played international football for England and in many games we were technically inferior to the opposition.

“Everybody looks at Barcelona and Spain and realises we can’t keep playing the way we have and producing the English style of player. We have to grow and change.”

Southgate, who won 57 caps for the Three Lions, suggested his new role involves creating a positive relationship between clubs and all levels of the England setup, which will in turn improve the atmosphere within the national team.

He continued: “My role relates more to the older international teams, how we make the experience of playing for England more enjoyable and more successful.

“If we are successful at Under-16 and Under-17, the players will carry the mindset through to the senior team that England is a place we go to and win. Like the Spanish are experiencing, like the Germans do.

“Rather than insisting to clubs, saying we want mandatory release of players, we’d like players to want to come and play in England squads.

“My role is long-term, to help build closer links with the Premier League, Football League, League Managers Association, everybody, to help managers be more confident about players playing for England and being part of it.

“England is very important to football supporters and, if the England team is successful, it has a massive, positive impact on the league.”