Glenn Hoddle has heaped praise on the England DNA programme, and has highlighted the need for continued investment in coaching and grassroots facilities.
The programme was launched on Thursday at St. George’s Park and acts as “the starting point for the creation of a world-class approach of elite player development leading to winning England teams”.
And the former England manager said the new approach is a positive step in the right direction, though warned the real challenge comes with putting the theories into practice.
"The ideas are smashing, they are great," he said. "I was on the FA Chairman's England Commission trying to turn some things round.
Head of coach and player development Matt Crocker alongside Gareth Southgate at the launch on Thursday
“The way forward for how we bring through the youngsters is something close to my heart and has been for many years.
"The basics are there, how we implement them is the key. How much we spend on coaching to help improve the youngsters from under-eight upwards.”
The England plan focuses on five key aspects: pride in representing England in a ''comprehensive and varied'' schedule of games at different age levels, playing with a particular philosophy, the skills and attributes the ''future England player'' should have, plus the coaching and support to go with all that.
“The basics are there, how we implement them is the key”
Glenn Hoddle
Hoddle said the improvement in facilities, and the continued commitment from The FA to the introduction of 4G pitches, will play a key part helping to ingrain the philosophies among players from an early age.
"Some of the conditions the kids have to play in are not great and the councils cannot get round to look at them all the time so for that level I think they will be a massive asset," he added.
"I know in Spain a lot of the teams play on 4G, up to Segunda B, the 4G pitch is coming on.
"The game hasn't changed that much.
“Things have moved on, there are a lot more staff than what I have seen before and there is a lot more of an emphasis on fitness, nutrition and what goes with that.”
