Southgate’s work-life balance

Gareth Southgate says no England players should expect an easy ride now he has taken over as manager on a permanent basis.

Southgate was confirmed as manager on Wednesday and introduced less than 24 hours later at Wembley Stadium, having come through four games in interim charge and a Football Association interview process.

England’s final win in that spell came against Scotland, but the headlines after the 3-0 win were dominated by pictures of captain Wayne Rooney looking the worse for wear after apparently being invited to join an evening wedding party.

And, amid talk that England players’ free-time will be more stringently controlled, Southgate says there will be a certain level of responsibility for them to show under his management.

“Where I will be clear is that there is a level of expectation when you are with England,” he said.

“We talk about pressure and we spend most of our time trying to relieve it, so if we put ourselves in positions where we are going to increase that pressure it is not intelligent.

“I think it is important as a playing squad and group of staff we recognise that and we want …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com