New Delhi: For a long time, Gareth Southgate has been under severe scrutiny from both fans and experts. England’s 0-0 draw against Slovenia was definitely going to bring a lot of criticism for their inability to play attractive and fluid football. They were against a team that hadn’t played in the Euro for 24 years.
The long-time English manager has been booed and jeered. Even plastic cups were thrown at him during the game. Still, before their game against Slovakia, Southgate commented on how much he enjoys the challenge of managing the English football team.
The 53-year-old has admitted that there have been some issues with the English team’s performance over the past few weeks. However, the players and staff have been able to keep the team on the right path. Southgate also pleaded with the fans to stick with and support the team.
The England team were expected to play well in the UEFA Euro championship, but they have disappointed their supporters. Despite having a star-studded lineup, the previous edition’s runners-up haven’t performed well. Both Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored one goal each in the group stage of the tournament.
In the last-16, England were seconds away from going back home until Bellingham scored the leveller in injury-time. Kane scored a match-winning goal in extra-time as England scraped through to the quarter-finals, where they will now face Switzerland in Dusseldorf. The game was their second win of the tournament. After their 1-0 win over Serbia, England played two stalemates.
Until their quarter-final win, the team had no favourable opinions from either their fans or the experts. One of the main criticism Southgate has faced is that during his tenure, the team has benefitted from easy draws. Southgate himself quashed such remarks and has said that underdogs have, in recent years, caused quite a few upsets.
Aside from this, the English staff has also been criticised for how the team has used a player’s reputation over their skills. A case in point is Bellingham. For Real Madrid, he played as a centre-attacking player. The English formation has seen him play as a centre-midfielder. He is more someone who stays close to the forwards. This is something he hasn’t done for England.
Phil Foden’s take on the form of his side
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – JUNE 30: Phil Foden of England looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke on June 30, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)
Southgate is also under pressure to change his front four due to their appalling performance in the attacking third. Defending his manager, Phil Foden has said that players also have to share the blame for the dismal show in the tournament’s four games.
“There has to be some leaders to get together and find out a solution to why it is not working.” said Foden
Foden further said, “There is only so much the manager can do. He sets you up in a system and tells you how to press. You never decide when a person is going to drop deep as well.”
Appreciating Southgate’s contribution, the Manchester City midfielder said that the English coach constantly moves the team into pressing and playing in the final third of the pitch during the training sessions.
It gives an insight into the atmosphere of the English dressing room. Even the players know that the focus cannot be solely on the manager. Foden was honest in admitting that the forwards have to take the initiative, especially if the pressing game fails again.
Reflecting on the upcoming games, Foden said, “We have to be leaders, and I feel like in games, we could have got together more and worked out a solution.”
English fans will hope that Southgate and the team can find a formation they can stick with as they move further into the elimination stage of the tournament.
Southgate has been under extreme pressure. Is he the only one to blame or the players need to take some of the blame as well? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
