Friday 26 June 2015 11:06, UK
FA technical director Dan Ashworth remains confident England can win the 2022 World Cup despite their European Under-21 Championship failure.
The U21s’ 3-1 loss to Italy on Wednesday meant the side failed to progress beyond the group stage for the third successive Euros, a year after the senior side suffered the same fate at the World Cup in Brazil.
It makes FA chairman Greg Dyke's target of winning the tournament in Qatar look increasingly unrealistic, but technical director Ashworth - like head coach Gareth Southgate - is confident the national side can triumph in 2022.
"Yeah, why not? I honestly believe," he said. "The day after getting knocked out of the 21s people will probably read this with a smile on their face and think I'm deluded.
"I honestly believe we have players in the system, that we (have) players we have already talked about, who were not here, players playing in the Premier League. The seniors have gone unbeaten for a season for the first time in God knows how many years.
"I honestly believe the signs are there and the players in the development programmes.
I am still convinced it is realistic. I am absolutely convinced you'll see improvements in the senior performances.
"Nine of this squad can go again to the U21s campaign and the work the clubs are doing with the EPPP (Elite Player Performance Plan) has and will make a big impact.
"I am still convinced it is realistic. I am absolutely convinced you'll see improvements in the senior performances."
Following the under-21s’ failure, there has been some debate over whether eligible big names such as Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere and Ross Barkley should have been included in this summer's squad.
Ashworth hopes that pressure to promote U21-eligible players to the senior squad will lessen as the years go on, such is his belief in the programme's success.
Asked if he was the right man for the job and whether the system is working, Ashworth said: "Absolutely, of course I am.
"People can get their excuses in early and twist it however you want but we are effectively a year into a journey, into a plan.
"We are implementing it at 15s, 18s and at under-20s. Are you going to see the results of that now?
"Anyone who has been involved in football and youth development is clearly going to say 'no, or course not. Come back to me in a few years' time.'
"Youth development is always an easy one. You could turn around and say, 'oh, he is getting his excuses in for the next five, 10, 20 years', but we have got to make improvements in our national game at senior level. That is what we will get measured on.
"If we don't win a game between now and 2022 at junior level and win the World Cup, then the programme is genius.
"If we win every youth tournament between now and 2022 and don't qualify for the World Cup, we are all fools. There is a balance between the two."
