
Gareth Southgate began his tenure as England's permanent coach with a message to his players: Act like elite sportsmen or forget about competing with the world's best. The last time England's players were on international duty for games against Scotland and Spain, Wayne Rooney was pictured looking bleary-eyed at a wedding reception at the team hotel while other players reportedly went on a night out that involved a 200-mile (320-kilometer) round trip. There was a gentle reminder, however, that England's players need to act responsibly and change their off-field culture if the team is to challenge for major titles.
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