England manager Gareth Southgate said the reaction of some fans to his team’s performance at Euro 2024 was “creating an unusual environment” and “causing problems for the team”.
His team finished top of Group C on Tuesday after a 1-1 draw with Denmark in their last group stage match and a goalless draw with Slovenia.
Southgate’s team were booed and an empty cup was hurled at the England manager after another disappointing performance.
“I’m not going to back out,” he said. “The most important thing is that the supporters stay with the team.”
England had an early goal by Bukayo Saka ruled out for offside but otherwise gave Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak little trouble.
Southgate said he “understood” why fans had expressed their frustration with disappointing performances and results, including a 1-0 win over Serbia in the tournament’s opening game.
England were booed by fans as they went into the half-time break unable to break the deadlock, and there was another negative reaction when a cup was hurled at Southgate as he tried to lead the supporters in an applause at the end of the game.
“I understand how they perceive me and it’s better for the team than how they perceive me,” he added.
“But it’s an unusual environment. I haven’t seen any other teams qualify and do as well. I understand that and I’m not going to dismiss that, but I’m very proud of the way our guys have operated in that environment.”
England’s performance against Denmark in their second group game was widely criticised by pundits and captain Harry Kane called for more positive media coverage ahead of the Slovenia match, saying former players should remember how “tough” the football in the tournament will be.
Video footage posted on social media from inside the Cologne Stadium showed some England fans yelling abuse at Southgate before arguing with other supporters who felt they should be supporting the team and their manager.
Southgate gave several interviews to various broadcasters after the match before holding his press conference.
He told beIN Sports that “the reaction to everything” has created an “incredible environment” and “the players are feeling that.”
“I’ve spent 20 years in this environment as a player and as a coach. We’ve got to stay on the right track and get the locker room in order.”
Speaking at a press conference afterwards, Southgate added: “We’ve made England an enjoyable team again over the last three or four years and I think the players are enjoying it and we’ve got to be very careful to make sure that continues.”
Southgate also revealed the reaction of some supporters was “causing problems for the group” and urged them to get behind their players.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I wasn’t going to shy away from going there to thank people for coming and supporting me, but I know this is causing problems for the group.”
“I can deal with that, but they need to support their players.”
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford acknowledged England “didn’t play their best” so the criticism was understandable.
“No game is easy and we will be subject to criticism and we have to deal with it. We finished top of the group but we have not played at our best,” the manager added.
“We’ve got to stay positive and stay upbeat. We know we weren’t perfect, but we didn’t lose any of the three games.”
“It was a difficult night but I think it was our best performance of the three games,” Kane added.
“A lot of things are starting to come together.”
England found a way through the group stage but are struggling to return to their best at Euro 2024.
Their expected goals rating of 2.26 through the three games was 19th out of the 24 teams in the tournament, but they also only ranked 17th in shots allowed.
England suffered another blunder in their defeat to Slovenia in Cologne but Southgate remained defiant and insisted “the team is starting to get going”.
“We created some good chances but it’s a tough task for us at the moment,” the manager told ITV Sport.
“We’re not creating many chances in front of goal. I think the substitutes did a good job. I understand the reaction, but it’s a tough environment.”
Defender John Stones echoed similar sentiments, adding: “I think it was a big improvement compared to the other two games. We found players in the pocket, we created more chances. It’s another step in the right direction.”
“I know the fans are frustrated because we missed chances but that’s football. It’s never an easy game.”
