VIDEO: Furious England fans throw empty cups at Gareth Southgate following underwhelming Euro 2024 draw against Slovenia

England topped their group but did it by limping to a 0-0 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday night. When the full-time whistle blew, some supporters booed the Three Lions and as Southgate went over to applaud them, a small number threw empty cups at him at RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne.

On the criticism from the fans, Southgate told reporters: "I'm not going to back away from it. The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team."

He added when asked what has changed for the squad in Germany: "I think probably expectation. We've made England over the last six or seven years fun again. I think it has been enjoyable for the players. We've got to be very, very careful that it stays that way."

Southgate has, undoubtedly, succeeded, in part, where previous England managers have not before. He's taken the Three Lions to the World Cup semi-finals, a Euros final, and created a good environment where players are seemingly not weighed down by the burden of playing for their country. But England have been languid, uninspiring, and his team selection and formation have been, arguably, baffling this competition. So far, it seems like a tournament too far for Southgate as England manager and they will have to improve to progress beyond the last 16.

At present, England may face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 knockout stages on Sunday but that could change depending on the remaining group stage fixtures. Either way, Southgate will need his team to step up, else they could be heading back to England soon.