England manager Gareth Southgate has been working with a senior coach from the New Zealand rugby union team and consulting with the German FA in a bid to instil a winning team mentality among his own players, sources have told ESPN FC.
Southgate has been working with a senior All Blacks coach for most of this year to improve the culture and mental strength of the England men's senior team, while the Germany connection is a result of the memorandum of understanding the Football Association (FA) signed with their German counterparts (the DFB) in March.
That two-year agreement will see the footballing rivals share ideas on coaching, governance and youth development, but Southgate has also been speaking to the world champions about how they deal with the media, particularly during tournaments.
Press Association Sport first reported details of the arrangement, which were confirmed to ESPN FC on Tuesday.
Southgate, who was capped 57 times during his playing career, is keen to lift some of the tension that descends on England teams at European Championships and World Cups and believes better relations with the media -- and a more relaxed approach in general -- could be key.
The All Blacks influence is behind the team-bonding trip England took to the Royal Marines training centre in June and the cap ceremonies each new player gets when they join the squad now.
Already influenced by former England rugby union coach Sir Clive Woodward, Southgate has also introduced "teamship" rules for correct dress, positive behaviour and good time-keeping, with the players themselves taking the lead in policing these rules.
England travel to face Malta on Friday in their next World Cup qualifier in Group F, before playing Slovakia, who trail them by two points after six games, at Wembley on Monday.
Since replacing Sam Allardyce last September, at first on a caretaker basis, Southgate has presided over three wins, three draws and two defeats.
Information from the Press Association was used in this report.