The 37-year-old admitted as the last campaign drew to a close that this summer would represent a watershed for his reign and promised big changes when his players returned for pre-season training.

They arrived back at Rockliffe Park to start their preparations for the forthcoming campaign with new signings Marvin Emnes and Didier Digard already on board and Southgate is relishing the latest phase of his rebuilding job.

He said: "I am really excited because I know there is so much more to come from the players who are here and to bring good quality in as well is a great boost for all of us.

"The mentality of our approach to things is as important as anything and we feel we will have a change in terms of how we work on a day-to-day basis, trying to involve everybody at the club in what we are doing.

"If we are a united club in everything we do, then we have a great chance of succeeding."