Inside England’s 5-star Euro 2024 base including 45 holes of golf as Southgate aims to swerve Baden-Baden WAGs circus
ENGLAND are set to stay at a 5-star golf and spa resort in a secluded part of Germany to avoid a repeat of the Baden-Baden Wag circus.
Gareth Southgate and the FA have chosen a base away from the buzz of big cities after Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Tweedy, Coleen Rooney and Abbey Clancy stole the show at the 2006 World Cup.
So, they will not base themselves in a big city like Hamburg or Berlin, where partners could be tempted by the vibrant nightlife available.
Instead, they have decided the Golfresort Weimarer Land, near to the town of Blankenhain, will be where they will stay during the tournament.
According to Bild, Ralf Rangnick had been keen for his Austria team to stay there.
He was reportedly aware of the “tranquility” of the surroundings during his time at RB Leipzig, one of the host venues of the tournament.
The facility is one of the most spectacular golf resorts in Germany, with 45-holes to play.
There are two 18-hole courses, as well as a nine-hole course.
While that will give the players something to enjoy during their downtime, the most important aspect is the one and a half football pitches available to train on – making it ideal for training camps.
Golfresort Weimarer Land was built in 2021, with the idea of attracting top international teams.
The resort also features a state-of-the-art gym, as well as a wellness centre and spa – with seven different treatment rooms.
Leisure facilities include snooker, table football and table tennis, with running and e-bike routes.
There are several conference rooms Southgate can use for video analysis and to give his side a teamtalk.
Seven restaurants on site also give the players plenty of catering options.
They are named after famous golf courses, including Augusta and the Masters.
The latter offers fine dining with Mediterranean Francophile cuisine.
Golfresort Weimarer Land has 94 rooms, suites and family suites.
To book a room it costs around £300-per-night.
Werder Bremen, Rangers and QPR are among the teams to have previously held training camps at the resort
Earlier this month, Southgate hinted of a relaxing venue packed with facilities to entertain the players and staff.
“We need that nice contrast of relaxation and areas where we can work,” he said.
“You want to minimise travel where you can but within the FA our staff are really good at picking venues that the players will enjoy and feel comfortable in.
“You want to be somewhere where you can zone out from everything that’s going on around you, but somewhere with good facilities.”
Last time England played in a German World Cup, it was the Wags who stole the show.
Sven Goran-Eriksson’s Three Lions lost to Portugal in the quarter-finals.
However, it was the Wags who were front page news, as their escapades were said to be a distraction for the players.
Southgate believes a balance is important, and wants to welcome families, but doesn’t want a repeat of when the Wags took over Baden-Baden.
“I wasn’t involved in that tournament so I don’t know how all that was but we have a great environment with our players,” Southgate said.
“We want their families to be able to go and enjoy the tournament as well. We normally welcome them in at various times. It changes the dynamic of the hotel, especially if the kids come in, and those elements are important for the players.
“Really we want somewhere where we can be a little bit on our own.”