Gareth Southgate says how England fans feel about him is ‘irrelevant’
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Gareth Southgate has said it is “irrelevant” how England fans are feeling about him as his team prepare to face Slovakia on Sunday in the last 16 at Euro 2024.
England were booed after a 1-1 draw with Denmark in the group stages of the European Championship.
The pressure on Southgate has intensified after a goalless draw against Slovenia in their last group match.
Defender Ezri Konza said his family were hit by beer cups aimed at the manager after Tuesday’s game.
But the 53-year-old told reporters on Saturday the way fans felt about him was “irrelevant”.
“It’s irrelevant [what fans think of me]. The most important thing is the support for the team and what I said the other night was to try to make sure that we get the sort of support that the team got in the stadium in the second half, simple as that,” he said.
“My job is to create the best possible environment for the players, to fight their cause at the right times, to take responsibility at the right times.
“The team need the fans so they should never underestimate what a lift it gives to the team when they are like they were in the second half against Slovenia and I’m certain, going into this knock-out phase, they’re going to be the same.”
Despite only securing one win, England progressed as the winners of Group C.
Captain Harry Kane told the conference “99% of the fans” were behind the team and manager.
“Of course, both as a player and as a coach, you’re going to have times when people voice their opinion and that’s part and parcel of playing for England,” he said.
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“But I think, like the boss said there, the second half in that game especially was one of the best atmospheres I’ve been involved in and it shows how much the fans care about the team, care about us trying to win the game and that’s all that matters, you know.
“We’re a very strong group, not just players but staff as well. We know what it’s taken to achieve what we’ve achieved in the last six years or so, or longer, and we know it’s going to be a very tough journey from now until the end of this tournament, if we want to go all the way.”
