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Football - 31. January 2018.

England boss Phil Neville challenges lionesses to be the best in the World

Phil Neville’s message to his England players is simple – work hard and soak up information on a daily basis and you can become the best team in the world.

The 41-year-old was officially unveiled as the new Lionesses boss at St. George’s Park on Monday afternoon.

And he has asked his squad, who are ranked third in the world, to copy his work ethic as he seeks to overtake the powerhouses from Germany and USA.

Neville said: “Whenever I’ve been successful in life, the phrase I always go back to is ‘the relentless pursuit’.

“The relentless pursuit of excellence, the relentless pursuit of hard work, the ability to challenge, push and raise the bar in every facet of performance.

“It’s about learning in every single minute of every single day. Learn, improve and work hard. Those are the qualities I will be instilling in my players. When I addressed them in La Manga I could tell that they are ready for the challenge. They are ready and want to be pushed.”

Neville enjoying his first day in the new job

He continued: “There is no magic formula that makes players great. The basics are hard work, determination, team spirit and culture.

“I’m excited because I think we can make that next step. The step from third in the world to first in the world is always going to be the most difficult.

“When you’re climbing Everest a lot of people can only get to stage four. We’re at stage four now and we have to get to the top.”

England have won all three World Cup qualifiers to date and sit second in Group 1, just a point behind Wales but with a game in hand.

Before they resume their France 2019 campaign, in April, they will take on Germany, France and USA at the annual SheBelieves Cup in March.

Neville acknowledges his side are already in good shape; confirmed by successful semi-final appearances at major tournaments and a highest-ever FIFA ranking.

The former Everton captain knows he will be working with an extremely talented group of players and he wants to convince them of that fact.

He explained: “The challenge for me is to make these players really and truly believe that they can be the best in the world.

“I’ve watched the Americans, the French and the German players and I firmly believe we’re as good as them.

“It’s one thing saying it, it’s one thing putting it on a Power Point slide, it’s one thing saying it in an interview, but I need to make the players genuinely believe. I know they are, I just need them to fully realise it.

“We’re on a journey. I want us to go and win the World Cup, I want us to win the Olympics, I want us to win the European Championship.

“The foundations are already in place. The foundations are strong. These players know they are close to success. It’s now up to me to provide the platform for the players to get to No1.”

Neville has been coaching since he was 24 and his roles have been varied. He has coached youth-team players and first-team players at Manchester United, Everton and Valencia, as well as a stint with England’s Under-21s.

And he could not hide his delight at being handed his maiden managerial role.

He added: “I'm immensely proud and excited to be England manager.

“I'm looking forward to working with a group of players who are totally driven, totally professional and have a real desire to learn and become the best team in the world. As a coach you can't ask for a better set of circumstances than that.

“To be named head coach of a national team is the highest honour in management and I feel very blessed.

“I'm England manager. Any job after this will be a step down not up.”

Neville’s first home match in charge is a World Cup qualifier against Wales at St. Mary’s, home of Southampton FC, on Friday 6 April.

Tickets are already on sale, with an early bird offer for adult tickets purchased up to 31 January (standard price £10). Children and concessions tickets are just £1 and group booking and Charter Standard discounts apply.

Tickets can be purchased at TheFA.com/Tickets or by calling 02381 780 780.

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