Gareth Southgate has been slammed by angry England supporters after he tried to sugar-coat the dismal 0-0 draw against Slovenia at Euro 2024.
England secured top spot in Group C on Tuesday night in Cologne, but only because Denmark failed to score against Serbia in the night’s other game. The Three Lions have progressed in a drab fashion, scoring two goals and being held by Denmark and Slovenia.
They were greeted by boos and had some cups thrown at them after struggling to break down a Slovenian side who played for the draw they needed to progress in third place. Although they did muster four shots on target, none of them tested goalkeeper Jan Oblak, leaving millions of fans disappointed.
The post-match interviews of manager Southgate and captain Harry Kane did not help the mood. "We have created some good openings and, at the moment, it is hard work for us," Southgate told ITV. "We are not quite getting that break in front of goal.” Kane added: “Tonight was a tough game, I thought we played a lot better than the other two games – a lot more energy, better on the ball, we just couldn’t find that final pass, that final finish.”
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It is fair to say that not many fans shared those views. “Kane and Southgate talk c*** or watching another game,” one fan wrote on Twitter. Another wrote: “Kane’s attitude sums this up…we might need extra time…we might need penalties to win the next game!! Mentality is all wrong and he’s the captain. Confidence shot and it has to stem from the manager.”
Others felt Southgate was trying to pull the wool over fans’ eyes. “Players and managers would gain a lot more respect from supporters by being honest. We've been abysmal for the three games and are lucky to go through top of the group,” one wrote.
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Another pointed out: “‘Not quite getting the break in front of goal’ – the two goals we've scored have come from massive deflections that have landed at our players head / feet. What is he talking about?”
Southgate is aware of the backlash from supporters, having experienced it first-hand in Cologne. “They were brilliant, in the second half especially there was a constant noise around the team,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I get it that they are not happy with me, that is the reality, I am not going to back away from that. I need them behind the team.
"I have to deal with what I am dealing with. I was not going to back away from going over to thank people for coming and giving the support that they did, but I know that this is causing an issue for the group. I can deal with that but I need them to support the players. The more the fans are like they were in the second half, behind the team it is a massive lift for them, because we are operating in a very, very unusual environment."
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