Gareth Southgate wasted little time after being put in temporary charge of the England team to confirm that he would retain Wayne Rooney as his captain.
With the Manchester United player struggling to start for his club and his role in the national team the subject of much debate, it might have been an opportunity to make a change.
However Southgate, who is preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia, explained that it was an easy decision.
Interim manager @GarethSouthgate has named a 23-man squad for the #ThreeLions' upcoming @FIFAWorldCup qualifiers: pic.twitter.com/0Tmk87mLAA
— England (@England) October 2, 2016
‘The decision to make him captain is quite simple,’ Southgate told a press conference.
‘What I felt from what I have seen around St George’s, what I gleaned from talking to staff over the two years, is that he is the outstanding leader in the group.
‘The most important thing at this time is leadership, on and off the field, and Wayne has provided that over the last two years.
‘The way he has matured into that is really impressive. I have no doubt in my mind about keeping him in that position.’
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