The recent incident involving plastic cups being thrown at Gareth Southgate during England’s match in Cologne highlights the growing hostility towards the manager and suggests that his time in charge may be coming to an end. While Southgate still expressed his gratitude to the fans after the game, the toxic reaction he received will undoubtedly play a role in his decision about his future with the team. Southgate’s voice visibly faltered when asked if he was hurt by the incident, revealing the toll that criticism has taken on him.
This is not the first time Southgate has faced such adversity. Two years ago, after a loss to Hungary, he faced personal abuse from fans and questioned whether his presence as manager was hindering the team’s performance. However, he ultimately decided to stay on, despite doubts from within the Football Association.
Southgate’s willingness to shield his players from criticism while also being sensitive to it himself demonstrates his awareness of the impact that negative reactions can have. The recent incident in Cologne has brought these concerns back to the forefront.
The current Euro 2024 tournament has been a difficult and joyless one for England. Despite advancing to the last 16, they have failed to live up to their pre-tournament favorites status. The team has been forced into a defensive stance, defending poor performances and addressing detractors rather than showcasing their potential.
One area of concern for Southgate has been the midfield, where his decision to experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Declan Rice backfired. He quickly ended this experiment and made further changes in subsequent matches. The struggles of captain Harry Kane and young star Jude Bellingham have also added to the team’s woes.
Southgate’s decision to include Luke Shaw in the squad despite his injury has also raised eyebrows. Shaw’s lack of match fitness has forced England to play with an unbalanced team, leaving them vulnerable on one side.
The criticism and external noise surrounding Southgate and the team have become too loud to ignore. The impact of this noise on Southgate’s decision-making process will become apparent at the end of the Euro 2024 tournament. If England fails to win, it is unlikely that Southgate will remain as manager. Even if they do triumph, moments like the incident in Cologne will be taken into account when considering his future.