Gareth Southgate: 'We have to Change'

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Southgate wants a winning outlook from England - - (March 21 2017)

Gareth Southgate has called on his England team to adopt the winning mentality that has driven Wednesday's opponents Germany to so much international success.

Southgate's men take on the world champions in a friendly in Dortmund in his first game since he was confirmed as the permanent replacement to Sam Allardyce.

The manager outlined his long-term ambitions for the team in a presentation at St George's Park on Monday morning, which was well-received by the players.

And speaking at a press conference ahead of the match with Germany, he said: "We have to change the way we do things, we have to change the way we think, we have to change the way we work, because we've not had the success our opponents have had over a period of time."

Germany have reached at least the semi-finals of the last four World Cups and last three European Championships, while England have repeatedly made early exits from major tournaments.

Referring to Germany, Southgate said: "That's the mentality you've got to have."

Southgate confirmed Chelsea defender Gary Cahill would captain England on Wednesday night.

Explaining his decision to give Cahill the armband, Southgate said: "He's in very good form, he's one of the players in the side who knows what's needed to win.

"He's grown in stature this season, in confidence, in the way he's using the ball, showing real composure in his play.

"His experience is sometimes overlooked, because he goes quietly about his job and gets on with it. It's great for him to be able to captain the side tomorrow."

Cahill, who also led England in their dramatic 3-2 win away to Germany a year ago, said it was a "huge honour" to do so again.

The Chelsea man also revealed the fact former England centre-back Southgate had first-hand experience of the pressures of playing for the national team would benefit the team.

"As a player he knows what it's like to play for England, to be in our shoes, to have the pressures, to go to tournaments," he said.

Southgate revealed that defender Phil Jones, who pulled out of the squad after picking up an injury in training, has suffered a possible toe problem.

"We'll know more once he's had a scan or X-ray," he said. "It was just a sort of innocuous tackle.

"He's caught the bottom of somebody's foot, possible injury to his toe."

The England boss also gave his backing to striker Jamie Vardy, who revealed on Tuesday that he had received death threats over the sacking of Claudio Ranieri as manager of his club Leicester.

"I can understand why he wanted to discuss it," said Southgate.

"It's a very serious subject, we're very supportive of him and I know the club are. The authorities are well aware of what's going on. There's no problem with his focus on the game."