HOW TO MATCH THE GERMAN BLUEPRINT
Germany's fourth World Cup triumph at Brazil 2014 proved a decade in the making.
Here, Press Association Sport examines how England could emulate Joachim Low's men and arrest years of underachievement.
IDENTITY
Germany's winless campaign at Euro 2004 precipitated Jurgen Klinsmann's ascent as the new national coach.
The former Tottenham striker quickly set about a wide-ranging overhaul not just of an ageing squad, but also an outdated footballing style.
Klinsmann challenged Germany to develop a team in the country's image: based on quick tempo and high quality.
Germany have used that style as a base ever since, centred around accuracy in technique.
England have sorely lacked the technical wherewithal for international success for nigh on a generation: a long-term strategic blueprint must be devised now, to be implemented at every junior-level side, as well as employed by the seniors.
BLOOD YOUTH
Germany boasted six of their 2009 European Under-21 Championships victory in their 7-1 World Cup semi-final rout of Brazil.
England took only James Milner from their 2009 squad to Brazil 2014, though Theo Walcott missed out through injury.
Manuel Neuer, Mesut Ozil, Benedikt Howedes, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira and Mats Hummels all started Germany's 4-0 victory over England in that junior European final in 2009.
That nucleus featured prominently in Germany's destruction of the tournament hosts en route to World Cup glory.
The Germans revitalised their entire youth academy system after a dismal showing at Euro 2000, and now the fruits are clear.
Low's 2014 World Cup squad boasted the fourth-highest number of average caps at 42.4 per man - offset impressively by the ninth lowest average age at 26.6.
If England want to follow the German method, there should be no more debate over Ross Barkley.
Roy Hodgson refused to bow to pressure and throw the Everton attacking midfielder into his starting World Cup line-up - the evidence proves the Germans would not wait.
HOME-GROWN STARS AND BROADENING HORIZONS
Greg Dyke's mournful 'Cyprus' comment sparked headlines from the Football Association commission's report into the state of English football earlier this year.
Only the Cypriot league boasts more overseas stars than the Barclays Premier League, according to a study of 31 countries carried out by the Centre International d'Etude du Sport in January.
At the last check just 32 per cent of minutes played in the Premier League were by home-grown products, with Spain's La Liga at 59 per cent and Germany's Bundesliga at 50.
Germany also benefit from a host of their top stars plying their trade abroad.
The likes of Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker have broadened their horizons at Arsenal, gaining a new perspective on both football and life.
England's top stars are often criticised for being unable to adapt to adversity: the challenges of thriving in foreign sport and climes could help improve the country's finest.
A GOVERNING BODY WITH TEETH
One of the FA's biggest stumbling blocks is the power of the Premier League.
Global television audiences and huge rights deals continue to underpin the strength of the league's hand.
Chairman Dyke and the rest of the FA must find a way to exert more power on the domestic game, notably in the bid to increase the opportunities for home-grown talents.
Under Klinsmann's tactical revisions in 2004, Bundesliga clubs were consulted and involved in the rebuilding process - then asked to take on elements of the strategy themselves.
The German authorities managed to convince Bundesliga clubs of the residual benefits.
England and the FA must now do likewise.
STRENGTH OF CONVICTION
On the field England must devise a clear strategy to permeate all levels of the international set-up - and stick with it.
Hodgson's shift to 4-2-3-1 in the last throes of the World Cup build-up proved hugely ill-timed.
The likes of Belgium and Holland chopped and changed formation throughout their battles in Brazil to good effect - but the tournament winners kept the faith.
Germany remained true to the principles that had helped them rebuild in style, with the fruit now obvious to the world.
Boss Low carried on Klinsmann's work after his exit, a smooth transition paying off in the long term.
Boom and bust mindsets have long since permeated club football: England must remove themselves from the sack-race culture, and fast.
