How Southgate hopes to avoid a repeat of the WAG circus which overshadowed 2006

Gareth Southgate has targeted a secluded base in Germany next summer to avoid a repeat of the WAG circus that overshadowed England’s 2006 World Cup.

England staff are identifying a location for the team’s Euro 2024 HQ after Monday’s 1-1 draw in North Macedonia drew their qualification campaign to a close.

The tournament is the first to be held in Germany since that World Cup and will invoke memories of the chaotic campaign under Sven Goran Eriksson.

Eriksson’s side were famously based in Baden-Baden as England crashed out to Portugal in the quarter-finals. But their performances were overshadowed by the social escapades of the squad’s wives and girlfriends, who became front-page news during the tournament and were accused of being a distraction to the players.

Asked whether he’d want a repeat of what happened in 2006, Southgate replied: ‘No. I wasn’t involved in that tournament so I don’t know how all that was but we have a great environment with our players.

‘We want their families to be able to go and enjoy the tournament as well. We normally welcome them in at various times. It changes the dynamic of the hotel, especially if the kids come in, and those elements are important for the players.’

Southgate has also indicated England are likely to avoid basing themselves in big cities such as Berlin and Hamburg, in favour of a quieter hideaway.

‘Really we want somewhere where we can be a little bit on our own,’ he explained.

‘We need that nice contrast of relaxation and areas where we can work. You want to minimise travel where you can but within the FA our staff are really good at picking venues that the players will enjoy and feel comfortable in.

‘You want to be somewhere where you can zone out from everything that’s going on