And the players were joined by Premier League legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at St George’s Park.
4
4
4
The former Chelsea and Leeds striker is joining Gareth Southgate’s coaching staff.
He was pictured in the training session joking with the other coaches and talking to Man United captain Harry Maguire.
Last week, Hasselbaink was thought to be “in advanced talks” with FA after leaving his post as manager of Burton Albion in September.
Hasselbaink would be the replacement for Chris Powell, who left the set-up as his contract expired.
Powell informed Southgate and the FA of his intentions to focus on his current role as head of coaching at Tottenham’s academy.
A move for Hasselbaink will continue the FA’s commitment to improving diversity in football, giving opportunities to more Black coaches within England’s teams.
The Three Lions’ match against Italy will be the first of their qualification campaign for the Euros in Germany next year.
The team will be hoping to go one further than in 2021 when they lost in the final at Wembley Stadium to the Italians on penalties.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
Ex-England international Ashley Cole and former Guyana manager Michael Johnson are part of the under-21s coaching staff, alongside Joleon Lescott.
Meanwhile, Jason Euell, Marcus Bignot, Omer Riza and Matthew Thorpe have all been involved with junior England teams.
4