To keep his team relaxed at 2018 World Cup, England football boss is fine if families of players accompany them
England boss Gareth Southgate has welcomed his players' partners to next summer's World Cup in a bid to keep his squad "relaxed". Former Three Lions manager Fabio Capello only allowed the players limited access to their families and partners at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Harry Kane and Katie
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The 2006 edition in Germany, under Sven-Goran Eriksson's stewardship, saw England's campaign dominated by headlines surrounding the squad's wives and girlfriends. Southgate, though, is looking to strike the right balance should England finish the job in qualifying and make it to Russia in 2018.
Perrie Edwards and Alex
"I don't think there has ever been a tournament where the whole family has been in with us the whole time. But will I encourage families to come and the lads to see them the day after a game? Absolutely I will. For some, that will be really important. Sadly for my family, not so much. I'm there and I'm focused and I don't want to be distracted," he said.
Dele Alli and Ruby Mae
"We want an environment where players are relaxed. It becomes a bubble where there's nothing else in your life and small things become much bigger than they should be."
Jamie and Rebekah Vardy
Chris Smalling and Sam Cooke
Gareth Southgate
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