'It was totally wrong' - Alan Shearer slams England fans who threw beer at manager Gareth Southgate after dismal Slovenia draw

Shearer said that fans have every right to vent frustrations over England's disappointing performances during the group stage, but throwing cups and drinks in the direction of the manager was the "totally wrong" way of going about it.

As Southgate and his team went over to the England fans after the group stage concluded with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia, cups were thrown from all across that section of the stadium. Some actually hit friends and families of the players, including Ezra Konsa's brother. "It was coming from all angles. We try not to think about it too much so we move on," the defender said.

Shearer told Betfair: "He knows the reaction of the crowd towards him, and it was totally wrong getting cups of beer thrown at him, that's not right. Fans can vent their frustrations, but not like that.

"But he understands, and his words were that he may be the problem, what he's doing is trying to take the heat off the players and put it on him, because he can handle it and that's what top managers would do when a team is under pressure."

Speaking at a press conference after the Slovenia game, Southgate had said: "I understand the narrative towards me and that's better for the team than it being towards them. It is creating an unusual environment to operate in, I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar [treatment]."

Slovakia now stand between England a place in the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the fourth successive time on Southgate's watch. The manager, who took over initially on a temporary basis in 2016, is out of contract later this year and his future is expected to hinge on how England fare in Germany.