Brighton's Uruguayan manager Gus Poyet has slammed England's youth system.
The ex-Chelsea and Spurs star is also convinced the passion and pride which carried his nation to the brink of glory in South Africa this summer is no longer evident in Britain.
Poyet told the Daily Record: "Children have it too easy these days but it is not their mistake, it is our mistakes. We give them everything and tell them how to do everything instead of letting them fend for themselves.
"It's the same in football as it is in life. You have to forget about coaching young kids up to the age of 10. Even at that age kids have to make their own decisions.
"They play games in tough areas and have to work it out. They might have to fight for it but that's how you get a winning mentality.
"Just let them play like they play in the street, let them sort out their differences, allow them to learn tricks and make things happen. Let them develop naturally.
"We tell young kids they have to do this and they have to do that and because of that they look at you for everything. They become robots and have no idea how to fight and win.
"Winning is so important at a young age and you need to have that kind of mentality if you want to succeed.
"In Uruguay every boy in the country grows up wanting to be a footballer. Of course they don't all make it but we give them the best chance by having one national organisation which looks after all the kids from six to 13 year-old.
"The emphasis is not about coaching because that can come later. It's all about playing football and getting comfortable with the ball. It's a system which has enabled our country to have success."
