Gareth Southgate set to face media after England appointment

01 December 2016 07:41

New England manager Gareth Southgate will outline his vision for the future at Wembley on Thursday morning, having already vowed to review the team culture as a priority.

Southgate signed a four-year deal as Sam Allardyce's permanent successor on Wednesday after his appointment was agreed during an FA board meeting at St George's Park.

He has a date with the media at 11am and can expect to be pressed on his plans now he has gained a parking space and lost the 'interim' prefix.

Wayne Rooney's future as captain will surely be on the agenda given the unwanted headlines created during the last international break, when he was pictured merrily socialising with fellow guests at England's team hotel in the early hours following a day off.

Rooney was unhappy with the way those interactions were reported and it is understood he neither set foot in a wedding reception nor ignored a request from Southgate to go to bed.

Nonetheless, the former Middlesbrough boss has a decision to make over the armband - for reasons of form as much as decorum - and with no game until March there is no rush for him to promise it to anyone.

Southgate spoke glowingly of Rooney's leadership in his temporary stint at the helm but, just as tellingly, dropped the skipper in his second match against Slovenia.

Amid the torrent of words that followed his appointment, many of them the usual, doubtless heartfelt, platitudes of an incoming boss, one statement stood out.

Talking to the in-house FATV channel, the 46-year-old said: "There's now a long period to really start to think about the kind of culture we want to create.

"Although I was very pleased with what we did (over the last four games) there's a need for huge improvement if we want to be successful as a team.

"I think there are certain ways of working that we can start to establish that will give us a better chance of being successful moving forward."

A fresh look at the leeway allowed to players during their free-time on England duty, given Rooney was far from the only squad member whose evening exploits attracted tabloid interest, is a minimum expectation of the Southgate regime.

"I am extremely proud to be appointed England manager. However, I'm also conscious that getting the job is one thing, now I want to do the job successfully," he added in a statement.

"I'm determined to give everything I have to give the country a team that they're proud of and one that they're going to enjoy watching play and develop. For me, the hard work starts now."

News may also be forthcoming on Southgate's backroom team.

Chelsea coach Steve Holland is wanted as a permanent member of FA staff, but may continue in a job-split with the Blues until the end of the season.

The future of Sammy Lee, an Allardyce appointment who has thus far been retained, will also have been discussed and Southgate's views on his successor as England Under-21 manager have been canvassed.

Aidy Boothroyd took over temporarily during Southgate's secondment but alternatives will be considered.

Source: PA