SOUTHGATE HIRES GURU TO TAP INTO ALL BLACKS MENTALITY
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate is hoping to introduce a world-class team culture into his young squad by taking advice from proven global winners.
A team-bonding expert who has worked with rugby World Cup holders New zealand has previously been in the England camp, who assembled at St George’s Park on Sunday in preparation for the World Cup qualifying games against Malta and Slovakia.
It follows the FA signing a partnership with world champions Germany to share coaching, scouting and youth development ideas.
The winning mentality that Southgate wants to instil is reinforced by a seven-minute film about what it takes to win, which is being shown to every player called into the squad.
The footage even includes the worst moment of Southgate’s career, when he missed the crucial spot-kick in the semi-final penalty shoot- out against Germany at Euro 96.
Owen Eastwood, a London-based New zealand lawyer, is the expert brought in by Southgate. He has worked with the All Blacks on developing their own identity. His other varied clients include the England women’s football team, South Africa and Scotland’s rugby teams, Chelsea and Manchester City in the Premier League and NATO’s military command.
Anthony Hudson, English coach of the New zealand football team who also employ the busy Eastwood, said: ‘Owen comes in and helps us create a story or just reminds us of who we are representing and why we are there. He’s all about team culture, helping teams really understand who they are and why they play.’
So before the New zealand rugby team beat England at Twickenham in November 2014, Eastwood told them the story of legendary All Black Andrew White who survived four of the most horrific campaigns of the First World War.
Whether similar stories from the Somme, Messines and Passchendaele will be enough to inspire Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Co remains to be seen.
Southgate, following the Wayne Rooney late-night drinking episode after the win over Scotland last year, said players must take responsibility for their own actions within a team environment.
And he singled out the All Blacks as having the right approach, saying: ‘There have to be lines of what is acceptable and what isn’t. Look at the All Blacks, who are one of the best examples of teams who have won consistently over the years. The players are involved in that, because you are giving them ownership and accountability.’
Southgate has instigated his own methods for building up a sense of belonging by having former England players present shirts to new caps, as Glenn Hoddle did before Michael Keane’s first game against Germany in March.
Hoddle said: ‘The idea of having a low-key ceremony is something England’s rugby and cricket teams do as well and I think it’s a welcome addition to the culture of the football team.’