Gareth Southgate was targeted with missiles by irate England fans following their latest dismal Euro 20204 performance here in Cologne.

England topped the group with this goalless draw against Slovenia, but they were once more booed by their supporters after the final whistle while head coach Southgate had three plastic pint cups thrown at him as he acknowledged the traveling fans.

Further doubts over the team's hopes of winning a tournament they were billed as favourites for have emerged while uncertainty over Southgate's position as head coach post-Euros will increase following the supporters' reaction after another abysmal display in Germany.


On the plastic cups being hurled in his direction, Southgate said: 'I understand it. I'm not going to back away from it.

'The most important thing is we stay with the team. I understand the narrative towards me. That's better for the team than it being towards them but it is creating an unusual environment to operate in.

England fans throw empty cups at Gareth Southgate as he applauded them after tonight’s dismal performance against Slovenia.

'I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar. I'm not going to back away from it.

'I recognize when you have moments like at the end of the game, I'm asking the players to be fearless, I'm not going to back down from going to thank our fans at the end of the game.

'However they feel towards me, I get it, I've been around England for 20 years, I've seen it. My job is to guide the team through this get the very best out of the team and keep this perspective for them.

'I'm very very happy with how they've handled the last few days in particular.'

In explaining what he meant by an 'unusual environment', Southgate said: 'It's taken me back to days when I was playing with England. They've dealt with it well.

'The expectation has changed with England, we have made England again enjoyable for the players and we have to be very careful it stays that way.

'We showed composure with the ball, waiting for the opportunity. We dominated the second half. We kept defensive solidity. We didn't manage to get the goals and of course, we would have loved to have sent the fans home happy, but we were an improvement on the last game.

'It's important to win the group because you control your destiny.'

Speaking about his team's performance: 'At the moment it's hard work for us, I understand some reactions but it's a strange environment we're playing in.

'I thought we were much improved with the ball. We created some good openings. At the moment it's hard work for us – we're not quite getting that break in front of goal.

'We have to take one step at a time. Tonight was an improvement. We have to improve to get through in the next round. But we have topped the group and that was the objective at the start.

Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon were brought on for their first minutes of the tournament as England chased a winner, while Kobbie Mainoo came on at half-time