Report: England psychiatrist out in major rethink of national team setup
The English Football Association is apparently set to consult in some of the country's leading sports figures for advice on the national team's work in Burton upon Trent, but team psychiatrist Steve Peters is not part of those plans.
England made home at St George's Park in 2012, and Peters was brought in by departed manager Roy Hodgson before the 2014 World Cup due to a sterling curriculum vitae boasting work with the likes of Liverpool and troubled snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Despite his credentials, the Guardian's Daniel Taylor understands Peters will be among those sacrificed in a major rethink of how the national teams runs its affairs in Staffordshire. The psychiatrist hasn't been charged with the failures of England's Euro 2016 bid, but is unfortunately connected to a disappointing era and so will be shown the exit door.
St George's Park chairman David Sheepshanks will now consult an "informal panel of experts" for advice on youth development, coaching, and the high performance culture in Staffordshire, the Guardian's Owen Gibson reports. The expert trio comprises of former England rugby union coach Stuart Lancaster, retired England full-back Graeme Le Saux, and the brainchild of British Cycling's Olympic successes of 2008 and 2012, Sir Dave Brailsford.
They are to meet every three months or so, along with other luminaries in the sports and business world who are asked to contribute.
Other recent appointments at St George's Park include Dave Reddin, who moved from the country's rugby union setup to become head of team strategy and performance, and head of coach and player development Matt Crocker, who joined from Southampton.
England's latest major tournament upset was arguably the most embarrassing of its history. Iceland's work rate and tactical organisation trumped the Three Lions in a 2-1 win last Monday, dumping Hodgson's ranks from Euro 2016 at the Round of 16 stage.
Hodgson stepped down at the postmatch press conference, but more heads could roll as the FA looks to get to the bottom of a squad that has largely failed since winning the World Cup in 1966.