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Gareth Southgate hopes England learn from world champions Germany and New Zealand

England manager Gareth Southgate pictured at Hampden Park
Image: England manager Gareth Southgate has been working with the New Zealand rugby team and German football association

Gareth Southgate is hoping some of what makes New Zealand the best rugby team in the world and Germany such a consistent force in football will rub off on his England players.

The 46-year-old has been working with a senior All Blacks coach for most of this year to improve the culture and mental strength of the England men's senior team.

The German connection is a result of the memorandum of understanding the Football Association signed with their German counterparts, the DFB, in March.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Lukas Podolski were part of Germany's side that won the 2014 World Cup
Image: Germany won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

That two-year agreement will see the footballing rivals share ideas on coaching, governance and youth development but Southgate has also been speaking to the world champions about how they deal with the media, particularly during tournaments.

It is understood that the former defender, who was capped 57 times during his playing career, is keen to lift some of the tension that descends on England teams at European Championships and World Cups and believes better relations with the media - and a more relaxed approach in general - could be key.

Raheem Sterling takes part in some unique team building as the England squad visit the Royal Marines
Image: Raheem Sterling took part in some unique team building as the England squad visited the Royal Marines earlier this year

The All Blacks influence is behind the team-bonding trip England took to the Royal Marines training centre in June and the cap ceremonies each new player gets when they join the squad now.

Already influenced by former England rugby union coach Sir Clive Woodward, Southgate has also introduced "teamship" rules for correct dress, positive behaviour and good time-keeping, with the players themselves taking the lead in policing these rules.

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Southgate is also not above highlighting his own shortcomings as each England player is now shown a film about what it means to play for his country which opens with the penalty Southgate took against Germany in the semi-final of Euro 96. His effort, as so many others in an England shirt, was saved and Germany won.

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Southgate last week insisted Wayne Rooney has been a legend for England after the player's retirement

The current England side travel to Malta on Friday for their next World Cup qualifier in group F before playing Slovakia, who trail them by two points after six games, at Wembley on Monday.

Since replacing Sam Allardyce last September, at first on a caretaker basis, Southgate has presided over three wins, three draws and two defeats.

Watch highlights of England's World Cup Qualifier away to Malta on Sky Sports Football from 10pm on Friday.

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