Southgate’s men target last-eight place

GARETH Southgate has been given the target of taking England to the quarterfinals of the World Cup by the Football Association.

Martin Glenn, the chief executive, said that a last-eight place would represent “a real sign of progress” after the team failed even to get out of the group four years ago in Brazil.

It is 12 years since England even won a knockout tie – a narrow victory over Ecuador in the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup – and while Glenn was at pains to avoid saying what would constitute success, he explained what the FA hoped would happen as an acceptable minimum.

“We haven’t won a knockout game since 2006,” Glenn said. “So, clearly, getting out of the group and winning a knockout game would be a real sign of progress. And if you win one, you win more.”

England are in Group G with Belgium, Tunisia and Panama and although they would expect to progress, Southgate has been keen to stress it is not as easy as it appears – not least because Tunisia were, until the last Fifa list, ranked just one place below Southgate’s side.

Now England are 12th, having gone up a place, Tunisia are down to 21st, Panama 55th and Belgium third. It means England’s group is one of the toughest in terms of average

If England qualify, they will face either Poland, Senegal, Colombia or Japan from Group H, while the last eight could bring them face to face with one of the favourites – either Brazil or holders Germany.

Such is the faith in Southgate, though, that even if England do not make it through their group, there is no suggestion from the FA that his job is under threat. There is a realisation that it is a long road back for England and that Southgate needs to be given time and backing. He is aware of the situation and has a contract to take England to Euro 2020.

Glenn also said he was pleased with England’s approach to the tournament, which has included warm-up wins against fellow World Cup contestants Nigeria and Costa Rica.

“I think we’ve never been better prepared,” Glenn said. “We’ve got a youngish squad. Not the youngest in the tournament but pretty young. And we’ve got a world-class support team. We’ve embedded psychological work into the core.”

The importance of that psychological work, led by Dr Pippa Grange, should not be underestimated, given the key area identified by Glenn after England’s embarrassing exit at Euro 2016 at the hands of Iceland was the mental “brittleness” the players are weighed down by when they play for their country.

Glenn also spoke of Danny Rose’s bravery after the defender revealed he had been suffering from depression following injury and a series of severe personal problems, including his uncle committing suicide.

“I actually think his coming out with those concerns speaks really well of the environment of the camp, that he felt comfortable enough to say it,” Glenn said. “That’s a real credit to Gareth and the team, that, when it comes to pressure, they can have somewhere to go back to, which is where the culture work has been really good.”

The Duke of Cambridge, the president of the FA, talked to Rose when he visited West Riding County Football Association, where England were preparing for the Costa Rica game.

“Prince William was talking to him because the mental health ‘Heads Together’ charity is a really important thing for him,” Glenn said. —