Southgate went to applaud fans after the final whistle (Picture: Harriet Lander – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Gareth Southgate was booed by sections of England’s support following the Euro 2024 draw with Slovenia with empty beer cups thrown at the Three Lions boss as he left the pitch.
England progress to the knockout stages as Group C winners but turned in another underwhelming display in a dull stalemate on Tuesday evening.
Jeers were heard around the Cologne Stadium as the final whistle blew with Southgate approaching the section housing England supporters after the game.
As he applauded the fans, several empty plastic beer cups appeared to be chucked in the manager’s direction.
Responding to the reception in his post-match press conference, Southgate said: ‘I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive a similar reaction. I’m very proud of the players for the way they handle it.
‘The players kept composure in a game when they have come into it with a really challenging environment. It’s taken me back to days when I was playing for England.
‘I’m not going to back away from it. I understand the narrative towards me, better for me than it being towards them. It’s creating an unusual atmosphere to operate in.’
England have scored just two goals in their three group matches, edging past Serbia with a 1-0 in their opening match of the competition before the nervy 1-1 draw with Denmark last week.
Southgate made just one change to his side for the Slovenia game with Conor Gallagher coming into replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield to try and inject some much-needed energy into the performances.
But that plan was abandoned at half-time with the Chelsea midfielder replaced by Kobbie Mainoo at the start of the second-half.
Another tough night for Southgate (Picture: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
While it was another drab performance, Southgate took plenty of positives out of the performance.
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‘I thought we were much improved with the ball,’ he told ITV.
‘We have created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us. We are not quite getting that break in front of goal. I think the players who came on did well. I understand the reactions but it is a tough environment
‘We tried to win the game by the changes we made. We put attacking players on the pitch.’
In addition to Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon were brought on for their first minutes of the competition in the second-half.