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GARETH SOUTHGATE has got shirty with England’s Under-17 World Cup winners over their Three Lions badge snub. And he wants the youngsters to r ecognise t hat “humility” is part of being a star. Steve Cooper’s U17s joined England’s Under- 20s as world champions in India to leave the FA celebrating after a torrid time for the organisation over the Mark Sampson affair. But it wasn’t all smiles – with Southgate and other senior FA figures unhappy that the kids for fame turned the glory in Kolkata into a personal celebration. Cooper’s players took to the winners podium with their shirts turned front to back to reveal their names and number – and not the England crest after hammering Spain 5- 2 in the final. And that left senior England boss Southgate (left) peeved that the teenagers put personal recognition ahead of the Three Lions emblem. He said: “I balance the fact they’re young kids in a moment of ecstasy. Are they going to think logically about what they’re doing? “However, I think what we would hope in the future is that the Three Lions is the more important thing. “It’s the badge on the front of the shirt rather than the name on the back. “I also understand at that moment they’re not necessarily thinking about that. But I think it’s a good thing to talk to the young teams about moving forward, that we’re building for England and it’s about the team.
“It’s about winning together, experiences together. It’s not about building up any one individual.”
Southgate believes his senior players would not fall into that trap if they won a big crown with England and reckons it is a generational trait.
He said: “That’s the nature of society a bit today, isn’t it? It’s difficult to know really without asking them.
“Some of the 20s did it as well. It’s a bit generational perhaps .
“But I think a good message from national coaches that we have discussed is, ‘Let’s make that point to them’. An important trait for young players is recognising you’re part of something bigger.”
Some believe the U17s, with upcoming stars like Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster, responded with a spontaneity to show they are free from the demons that haunt the seniors.
But Southgate has challenged that, saying: “Everybody would have a different view whether it matters or not. I think i t’s important that whether it’s your club or your country, the badge you play for is the important thing.
“But what they’ve done in a positive way far outweighs what they’ve done with the shirts. If that’s something they learn, then we can make the point and move on.”
It’s about winning as a team ... and experiences together, not about building up an individual