Why Gareth Southgate will consider walking away: DOMINIC KING on the rise of England’s oiks

Of course he would never do this, but he had every right if he did. When he saw those three flying beer cups, the ‘V’ signs and the distorted faces, Gareth Southgate is said to have had one word in mind: enough.

No one deserves this, but even by English standards the opprobrium heaped on Southgate was disgraceful. What kind of world is it where the outcome of a football match provides a vehicle for some to scream and scream until their faces turn to a man?

However, this is England. Many supporters are respectful, but the past three years have seen a rise of the oiks, those who wouldn’t dream of sticking a pyrotechnics up their butt, singing a song about German bombers or repeatedly chanting “you’re* *** but your birds are fit’ for Danish fans (Bakerloo Line; Wednesday, July 7, 2021).

People will say this is a hysterical response, but you’re burying your head in the sand if you think it isn’t. Find any square in any European city when England is in town and you will picture them. Southgate, looking into the stands, saw them more than any of us.

The irony of all this, of course, is that they think he doesn’t care or doesn’t recognize the team’s shortcomings. It’s total nonsense. After a match like the one against Slovenia, he would have been up until the early hours before waking at first light, usually to go for a run and try to think of solutions.

Beer cups were thrown at Southgate after England’s goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday

The England boss was booed as he went to the Three Lions fans to thank them for their support

England are playing miserably, but logical reasons why this is happening – such as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane both wanting to play false nines and an unforgiving calendar that means some players are at breaking point physically – will not be taken into account.

No. It is Southgate who is letting the country down. He has heard this kind of criticism for three years, since losing the last European Championship final, and has faced accusations of being too conservative and not getting the most out of his attacking players.

The mind is drawn back to an incident involving Gary Lineker, the shy violet that he is, two years ago, ahead of two Nations League matches. His gripe at the time was Trent Alexander-Arnold, exhausted after Liverpool’s quadruple challenge, and Jack Grealish should be given more game time.

Before the first match, against Italy at Molineux, Southgate sat down with a few of us reporters to give his usual preview. His media team told us he had ten minutes, but he ended up staying 35 minutes, prepared to face any concerns – ours, not yours, Gary – that he was being too cautious.

This makes him different. He will listen, whether he likes it or not, and answer you respectfully and honestly, while trying to explain the reasoning behind decisions. It makes him rare in modern football, where people want to exist in echo chambers, cannot tolerate criticism and shy away from debate.

“They (pundits) are normally in a role where they are paid to give an opinion and that’s what they have to do,” Southgate said that afternoon. ‘They give an opinion as they see it, just like you do. That’s part of the industry, right?

Southgate admitted he was injured after fans turned on him as England suffered a 4-0 defeat to Hungary in 2022

The England boss has transformed the national team but has admitted he will not outstay his welcome

‘It’s not fun when you’re on the receiving end, of course not. But you archive it, you use it to motivate yourself and understand that it is part of being a manager. You want to build teams, bring fans along and make memories that are very special. That’s part of the role.’

He then added: ‘I think the balance of the team to reach a semi-final and final has been quite good. I have to do it the way I see fit. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t read it, but I feel where the space is with it. I will not overstay my welcome.”

He won’t do that. He is true to his word and the reaction in Cologne will have hurt him as much as the abuse that went around Molineux after Hungary beat England 4-0 in June 2022. Southgate loves leading England, but today he finds himself in a difficult position.

Should the campaign transform and lead to a successful conclusion in Berlin, the players will get the credit. If he loses in Gelsenkirchen or wherever on Sunday, it will be his fault. He will get no thanks for eight excellent years, just more flying beer cups. Why should he continue to subject himself to that?