They play in stadia across England, in an attempt to encourage younger fans in all areas of the country to attend matches.

[1] The match was one of the required two events the stadium hosted in order to gain its safety certificate in time for its full-capacity opening for the 2007 FA Cup final in May.

In this period he combined his duties with managing the top-flight clubs Manchester United (1977–1981) and Coventry City (1981–1983).

He handed over U21 responsibilities to England manager Graham Taylor's assistant Lawrie McMenemy for three years before resuming control from 1994 to 1996.

He was controversially removed from the position in early 1999, however, and replaced initially by Peter Reid, who resigned after just one match in charge to dedicate more time to his other job as manager of Sunderland.

Howard Wilkinson took over afterwards, yet could only produce four wins in ten competitive matches and quit after a year and a half in charge.

On 1 February 2007, Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce was appointed as head coach on a part-time basis until after the European Championships in the summer of 2007.

Their first match in charge was a 2–2 draw against Spain on 6 February 2007 at Derby County's Pride Park Stadium.

Pearce was dismissed as Manchester City manager on 14 May 2007, before the 2007 European Championships, but on 19 July 2007 he was named full-time U21s coach.

[9] In September 2016, Southgate was appointed to the temporary position of caretaker manager of the England senior side after the departure of Sam Allardyce.

On 27 July 2021, Lee Carsley was promoted from his role with the England U20s to become the head coach of the U21s with Ashley Cole appointed as his assistant.

[11] Source: [citation needed] [12] England Euro qualifiers and friendlies are currently broadcast by The FA Player.

Win Draw Loss Players born on or after 1 January 2002 are eligible for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

The three goals conceded in the 3–1 defeat to group runners-up Poland were the only blemish on the team's qualifying record.

After enlisting former international star David Platt as manager, England qualified for the 2002 tournament in Switzerland.