GARETH IS CONTE A WINNER
ENGLAND coach Steve Holland reckons Gareth Southgate is using Chelsea hero Antonio Conte’s template to plot success over Scotland.
The Three Lions No.2 left his post working alongside the Italian at Stamford Bridge last week to link up full-time with the national squad having operated on a part-time basis since the end of last year.
Holland, though, sees similar traits in Southgate’s approach as he bids to rebuild England’s reputation in the same way Conte has done for Chelsea.
Having assessed and discussed the Blues’ failings in 2015/16 from the outside, the former Juventus boss was quickly able to implement his own plans to lead the club to the English Premier League title.
And Holland said: “I’ve been part of a Chelsea team that has been well drilled all season.
“Everyone is very confident in their roles and responsibilities. That is the only way. Antonio had a process that was very similar to Gareth.
“I spoke with Antonio at the end of the previous season and, like Gareth, he had made observations on what he had seen and what needed to be done.
“He spoke to people and Gareth has gone through the same process.
“We are where we are and, after last summer, that’s not a high point.
“You have respect for every player in the squad for competing in the Premier League and the big part of the trick is getting these guys to play for England as they do for their clubs every week.
“It’s about trying to make them feel as they do within their clubs. Gareth has done some research and spoken to past players and coaches to see what we need to do to make a difference.”
Talent is clearly the key for any successful team yet mentality is often just as important.
Seeing England stumbling out of the Euros to Iceland made it clear to the management that installing leadership and responsibility was a vital factor.
Southgate took his side to work with the Royal Marines last weekend and Holland said: “Royal Marines is an elite, crack organisation. There was immediate respect from our lads in that environment. Gareth identified issues that needed to be addressed. “There were various different exercises that weren’t physically challenging but demanded a chance for someone to lead.”