Euro 2024, Netherlands vs England: Southgate turns beer-throwing incident to motivation for title chances
Gareth Southgate, manager of the England national football team, has revealed that he is drawing motivation from intense criticism following their Euro 2024 journey.
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FollowGareth Southgate, manager of the England national football team, has revealed that he is drawing motivation from intense criticism following their Euro 2024 journey. Despite securing a spot in the semi-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Switzerland, England's performances have drawn scrutiny, particularly focusing on Southgate as his contract nears its end.
The Three Lions have yet to deliver a commanding performance throughout the tournament, with a lackluster 0-0 draw against Slovenia intensifying fan frustration. Following the match, Southgate faced beer cups being thrown towards him—a gesture reflecting discontent among supporters.
In response to the criticism, Southgate acknowledged the personal challenges he has endured, describing the job as one where ridicule and questioning of professional capability are commonplace. However, he emphasized using adversity as "fuel" to improve, citing his resilience from past experiences.
"Look, I can't deny that some of the personal nature [has been difficult]," he said. "This is a job where you get ridiculed and your professional capability is questioned beyond belief. And I don't think it's normal to have beer thrown at you either."
"But, I'm fortunate that my life's taken me through a lot of resilience-building and it's made me more determined and I'm just using it as fuel. I know where I want to take the team to and the team need to see me strong in those moments as well, otherwise that messaging that you're giving them on what they need to be, it doesn't ring true," the Englishman added.
Looking ahead, England prepares to face the Netherlands in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Both teams have faced criticism for below-par performances, setting the stage for a crucial showdown. The winner will advance to the final, where Spain or France awaits after their own semi-final clash. England's semi-final clash against the Netherlands promises to be a pivotal test of Southgate's resolve and the team's quest for Euro 2024 glory.
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