SGP highlighted as focal point in long-term future of the Three Lions.

As Club England look to recruit the next England Manager, St. George’s Park, The FA’s new national football centre, has been highlighted as a major part of the long-term future of the Three Lions.

FA Chairman David Bernstein says that the importance of SGP ‘must not be underestimated’ as England prepare for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, and beyond.

Situated on the outskirts of Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire, the 130-acre site in the heart of the countryside will not only operate as The FA’s headquarters for its Football Development arm, FA Learning, but it will also become the home to all 24 England teams, including all the Men’s and Women’s Teams, the Disability sides and Futsal.

So when the Three Lions meet up during their 2014 World Cup Qualification campaign, they will potentially be training alongside the younger age-groups. And Club England Managing Director Adrian Bevington says the new England Manager will have a perfect opportunity to provide inspiration to the players of the future.

“We are looking for someone who will obviously have the respect of the players, someone who has a great track-record, someone who will inspire and excite the fans and someone who we believe can play a really important role at St. George’s Park,” said Bevington.

“For example, when we are at St. George’s Park at the early part of next season, he can, on a very frequent basis, go into the U17 dressing room and talk to the younger players and explain the importance of international football to them.

“He can go away with the Under-21s when the seniors aren’t playing and be a real motivator to the players, sending out a message about how important it is to play for England. It will help build a pathway to a much stronger long-term plan.”

He added: “This is the first time, to my knowledge, all the England teams will be training side by side. So if the team are there for ten days, it’s perfectly reasonable to expect a new manager to wander from one room to another and spend some time talking to the younger players. Imagine the boost that would give them.”

“You mustn’t under-estimate the importance of St. George’s Park is in this,” added Bernstein, “The dynamic for England will be very different when we have St. George’s Park."

The Chairman is also hoping the new Manager can help England excite the fans at Wembley Stadium. Though the team have been enjoying good results and ultimate qualification to the Euros, Bernstein is looking for more confidence at home.

“In the last year we’ve played nine, won six and drawn three, so we have done very well in terms of results,” he said. “But I think we’d all probably agree that the quality of play and level of confidence shown at Wembley is not quite where we’d like it to be.”

“The motivational qualities of a future international manager will be absolutely vital, to be able to handle big players and excite both the players and the fans.”