England coach Gareth Southgate has urged fans to support the team despite a chorus of boos following a lackluster draw against Slovenia.
The Three Lions, despite their underwhelming performance, topped Group C due to Denmark’s stalemate with Serbia.
The match at RheinEnergieSTADION Cologne, saw England fans booing at half-time and full-time.
When Southgate approached the supporters to show appreciation, he was met with mixed reactions, including some boos and thrown beer cups.
Southgate’s tenure, set to be evaluated after the finals, has been questioned by fans. “I understand it,” Southgate acknowledged.
“The most important thing is that supporters stay with the team. It’s better they direct their feelings towards me than the players,” he told Reuters.
He expressed concern over the “unusual environment” surrounding the team, noting, “I’ve not seen any team qualify and receive similar reactions. We only succeed if we are together. That energy is crucial.”
Focusing on the team, he added, “Expectation has probably changed. We’ve made England fun again over the last six or seven years. We must ensure it stays that way.”
