Gareth Southgate responded to the criticism he faced as England manager throughout Euro 2024 after the Three Lions dramatically booked their place in the final, admitting that “we all want to be loved”.
Ollie Watkins scored in the 90th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over Netherlandscombining with substitute Cole Palmer before scoring the winner.
The goal – and England’s performance that night – silenced some of Southgate’s doubters, and the manager reflected emotionally on the possibility of reaching another major final at full-time.
“We all want to be loved, right?” he told reporters.
“When you’re doing something for your country and you’re a proud Englishman, when all you read is criticism… it’s difficult.
“Being able to celebrate a second final is very, very special. We gave people some incredible nights, some of the best nights in 50 years.”
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25536578/pixel9pro.jpg?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "New leak spoils Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 event"){kind=tracking}
