Gareth Southgate is relishing his new role as the Football Association's head of elite development. Photograph: Fabio De Paola Gareth Southgate says he can help build the bridges between club and country in his new role at the Football Association to ensure players at all age levels will represent England when called up.
Southgate, in his first major interview since being appointed head of elite development at the FA, told the Guardian that the central purpose of his role is to ease the often strained relationship with club managers over players joining England squads.
The 40-year-old has not been involved in the controversy over Jack Wilshere's potential involvement with England's Under-21s this summer but his remit is to improve relationships on a broader level. One way he aims to achieve that is by improving the FA's coaching and facilities so players have a better experience when joining England.
"Rather than insisting to clubs, saying we want mandatory release of players," Southgate said, "we'd like players to want to come and play in England squads."
Southgate has not held discussions with Arsène Wenger about Wilshere's selection for the Under-21 European Championships in June. However Wilshere's repeatedly stated enthusiasm to play, and the Arsenal manager's expected reluctance to release him because of concerns Wilshere will be overplayed, sum up his challenge.
"Of course, we want Jack Wilshere and his generation playing for England teams and we want to build a winning mentality at all levels," Southgate said. "As a former club manager myself [at Middlesbrough from 2006-09] I understand the worries about players going away to play for their countries. It will be my job to try to meet those concerns and build better relationships."
With the FA increasingly stressing the importance of fielding winning teams in all age categories, the Under-21 coach, Stuart Pearce is expected to call up Wilshere, Andy Carroll and Kyle Walker, all of whom featured in Capello's senior squad on Tuesday. Wilshere has talked again about his eagerness to play in the championships in Denmark. "I'm keen to play," he said. "It will only be good for my career. You develop a lot and, if you play with players you know, you are going to play well. It is important to start winning international tournaments early and get it into you and hopefully you can take it on to the world stage. I'll be talking it over with Arsène Wenger in the next few weeks."
Southgate will also try to convince club managers that international friendlies are valuable. "I understand the difficulties that club managers and players feel but friendlies are important. Without them international teams would not have games for phenomenally long periods of time."
Gareth Southgate is relishing his new role as the Football Association's head of elite development. Photograph: Fabio De Paola Gareth Southgate says he can help build the bridges between club and country in his new role at the Football Association to ensure players at all age levels will represent England when called up.
Southgate, in his first major interview since being appointed head of elite development at the FA, told the Guardian that the central purpose of his role is to ease the often strained relationship with club managers over players joining England squads.
The 40-year-old has not been involved in the controversy over Jack Wilshere's potential involvement with England's Under-21s this summer but his remit is to improve relationships on a broader level. One way he aims to achieve that is by improving the FA's coaching and facilities so players have a better experience when joining England.
"Rather than insisting to clubs, saying we want mandatory release of players," Southgate said, "we'd like players to want to come and play in England squads."
Southgate has not held discussions with Arsène Wenger about Wilshere's selection for the Under-21 European Championships in June. However Wilshere's repeatedly stated enthusiasm to play, and the Arsenal manager's expected reluctance to release him because of concerns Wilshere will be overplayed, sum up his challenge.
"Of course, we want Jack Wilshere and his generation playing for England teams and we want to build a winning mentality at all levels," Southgate said. "As a former club manager myself [at Middlesbrough from 2006-09] I understand the worries about players going away to play for their countries. It will be my job to try to meet those concerns and build better relationships."
With the FA increasingly stressing the importance of fielding winning teams in all age categories, the Under-21 coach, Stuart Pearce is expected to call up Wilshere, Andy Carroll and Kyle Walker, all of whom featured in Capello's senior squad on Tuesday. Wilshere has talked again about his eagerness to play in the championships in Denmark. "I'm keen to play," he said. "It will only be good for my career. You develop a lot and, if you play with players you know, you are going to play well. It is important to start winning international tournaments early and get it into you and hopefully you can take it on to the world stage. I'll be talking it over with Arsène Wenger in the next few weeks."
Southgate will also try to convince club managers that international friendlies are valuable. "I understand the difficulties that club managers and players feel but friendlies are important. Without them international teams would not have games for phenomenally long periods of time."
Updated Mar 29, 2011 3:54 PM ET
Milan Baros and Michal Kadlec scored to lead the Czech Republic to a 2-0 victory over Liechtenstein in qualifying for the 2012 European Championship on Tuesday.
Baros collected a pass from captain Tomas Rosicky three minutes into the game and scored with a low shot from the edge of the area.
Kadlec headed in the second in the 70th minute from a corner by Jaroslav Plasil.
The Czechs are second in Group I with nine points from five matches, while Liechtenstein is last with no points.
Spain, which has a perfect record in qualifying with four wins, is three points clear on top and plays at Lithuania later Tuesday.
The Czechs play next at Scotland on Sept. 3, while Liechtenstein hosts Lithuania on June 3.
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