Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Newcastle United assistant coach Graeme Jones has joined his backroom staff for Euro 2020.
There was no place in his provisional squad for Karl Darlow, Callum Wilson or Joe Willock, but the England boss has just revealed in a press conference at St George’s Park that the NUFC assistant will be helping him out at this summer’s tournament.
Here’s what Southgate’s had to say, with him talking up Jones’ experience at international level following a stint as Belgium’s assistant alongside Robert Martinez:
“We are pleased to bring Graeme Jones in, who is obviously working with Newcastle at the moment.
“I have known Graeme quite a while.
“He has got fantastic experiences of tournament football with Belgium, working with Roberto Martinez and great experiences as an assistant manager and a manager, so I am really pleased.
“We’ve got a really strong coaching team and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”
Southgate then went on to thank Steve Bruce and Lee Charnley “for their help in letting us work with Graeme,” adding that they’ve been “incredibly supportive” in allowing the Newcastle coach to link up with the national squad this summer.
Here’s Southgate’s initial 33-man squad in full, with this set to be cut by SEVEN before midnight, June 1st:
GOALKEEEPERS: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United).
DEFENDERS: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City, Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Brighton).
MIDFIELDERS: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (West Ham), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
FORWARDS: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Son, there will be a NUFC representative in the England camp after all – Congratulations, Graeme Jones!
I also heard he is taking Steve Bruce with him…..
Helen Clarey(Quote)