SORT OUT PLAYER BEHAVIOUR
One of the first things the new England boss has to sort out is the issue of players’ behaviour. The end of his interim reign was followed by controversy over skipper Wayne Rooney and Phil Jagielka drinking, along with some FA staff, at a wedding party between matches.
It was during allocated free time but FA chief executive Martin Glenn promised a “proper investigation”. There were also reports Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson went to a club in Bournemouth. The governing body is reviewing players’ free time and Southgate needs to deal with it.
ROONEY’S CAPTAINCY
The furore surrounding Rooney’s late-night antics led him to “unreservedly” apologise to FA technical director Dan Ashworth, young fans and Southgate.
How the Three Lions boss reacted to the incident is unclear, with one report going as far as to say Southgate will strip Rooney as captain. Southgate was widely praised for the way he handled dropping Rooney in Slovenia and it will be interesting to see how he reacts now that the England job is his.
Rooney’s role in the team is also a pertinent question. He’s not good enough to be the starting centre-forward and he can’t be considered a No. 10 either.
TRUST IN YOUTH
“Certainly, nobody knows the nation’s young talent better than Gareth” said FA chief executive Glenn of the interim manager ahead of the interview process.
Southgate’s appointment follows three years as head coach of the England U21s, who he led to the 2015 and 2017 European finals along with the country’s first Toulon tournament success for 22 years. He also worked as the FA’s head of elite development so few know the country’s strength in depth better.
Jesse Lingard, so impressive for the Under-21s at the 2015 Euros, won his first caps under Southgate, but there are plenty more young players knocking on the door.
ESTABLISH AN IDENTITY
Southgate played a key role in creating the ‘England DNA’ manifesto aimed at making a winning national team. Formed of five core elements, it is about helping set out an identity that will breed success.
Southgate drove the “playing philosophy” element to the DNA, which points to intelligent dominance in possession and swift pressing when without it. That was evident in the final match of the four-match interim stint, with England impressing, if ultimately caught cold at the death, against Spain.
Continual evolvement is required if Southgate is to have a successful team at a major tournament.
QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP
Getting to the World Cup is Southgate’s overriding immediate focus. England enter 2017 top of Group F as a comprehensive 3-0 win against oldest foes Scotland followed a hard-fought goalless draw in Slovenia and comfortable 2-0 win at home to Malta.
A straightforward-looking home match with Lithuania should allow the Three Lions to increase their stranglehold on qualification in March ahead of a mouthwatering post-season trip to Scotland. Few expect England to fail in their bid to reach the World Cup.