Southgate has faced criticism for his conservative tactics at the Euros.
Former England captain John Terry has leapt to the defence of Gareth Southgate following criticism of the manager at Euro 2024.
England are through to their third major tournament semi-final under Southgate after narrowly beating Switzerland in their Euros quarter-final on Saturday.
They will now face the Netherlands in the last four on Wednesday, with the winner taking on either Spain or France in the final on Sunday.
England narrowly beat Switzerland on penalties after their match had ended 1-1 following extra-time.
It was the second game in a row Southgate’s side played 120 minutes, having also needed extra-time to beat Slovakia in the round of 16.
Southgate has faced criticism for his conservative approach at the tournament, with former England striker Gary Lineker labelling him ‘tactically inept’ after the group stage draw with Denmark.
Rio Ferdinand claimed England were ‘overshadowed’ in that match, while Alan Shearer branded the ‘rotten’ win over Slovakia as ‘so bad, it was untrue’.
However, former Chelsea captain Terry, who made 78 appearances for the national side, has defended Southgate from criticism – while also calling out former players and pundits.
On an Instagram live video, Terry said: “Funny how all of these ex-players and pundits think England are good again all of a sudden.
“I couldn’t give a s*** how we play as long as we win. Those ex-players and pundits never got past a quarter-final by the way.
“Lot of people saying [Cole] Palmer should start – again I think he’s done enough, what a season he’s had. Who comes out? Hard to be England manager.
John Terry has defended Gareth Southgate (Image: Getty)
“I am all about getting out the group me, no matter how you do it, get out the group.
“Look at Argentina in the World Cup, lose their first game and go on to win it. Greece 2004, very average team go on and win it.
“Tough couple of games [coming up] though, Holland in the semis and then France or Spain in the final.
“I think we’d all agree if we get to the final we need to be better but in a one-off game I actually fancy us against anybody, I think this group are special.
“I think the mental state Gareth has got them in and has done over the last four or six years is superb.”
Southgate will be hoping he proves his doubters wrong once again when England take on the Dutch at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday.
What Jordan Pickford had on his water bottle during England vs Switzerland penalty shootout spotted (an)
Jordan Pickford made a crucial save in the penalty shootout.
An image of Jordan Pickford’s water bottle has emerged online following England’s incredible penalty shootout victory against Switzerland at Euro 2024.
England booked their spot in the next round of the tournament following their 5-3 penalty shootout victory.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all scored from the spot.
Alexander-Arnold was snubbed of a spot in the starting XI but gave a mature post-match interview following his winning penalty.
Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s penalty, and a picture of his water bottle shows he brilliantly executed his instructions.
A close-up shot of the England goalkeeper’s water bottle shows where to dive for each Switzerland player.
And it had ‘dive left’ for Akanji, which the Everton star did to save the penalty.
Jordan Pickord had instructions written on his water bottle. Image: Getty
Pickford has once again come to England’s rescue in a penalty shootout following his heroics against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup.
He has now saved four of the 14 penalties he has faced in shootouts at major tournaments, twice as many as all the other England goalkeepers combined saved between 1990 and 2012 (2 out of 26).
The Three Lions resume their campaign next Wednesday when they play the winner of the Netherlands vs. Turkey.
Jamie Carragher’s left everyone furious with analysis of England vs Switzerland game (an)
Jamie Carragher’s point has got fans talking
Jamie Carragher’s analysis of England’s first-half performance against Switzerland has left fans fuming.
Gareth Southgate made just one change to the England side that scrapped past Slovakia in the round of 16, with Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa replacing the suspended Marc Guehi at centre-back.
England surprisingly lined up in a similar formation to the 4-2-3-1 system favoured by Southgate all tournament after various reports stated the Three Lions would switch to a three-man defence for the quarter-final clash with Switzerland.
After another flat first-half in a cagey affair, England supporters could be forgiven for thinking more changes were needed but Carragher saw the opening 45 minutes differently.
The former Liverpool defender highlighted England’s press as a real positive but fans were quick to disagree with his assertion.
He wrote on X: “England’s press has been excellent so far, going man to man when Sommer has it.
“Kane following his man into midfield at times!”
Jamie Carragher X
Here’s a summary of how fans reacted to his comment.
One fan said: “You watching the same game as the rest of us?”
Another said: “Must be watching a different match! It has been awful!”
A third added: “It’s been s***. They are in position but don’t actually close anyone down. It’s a pointless press. Half hearted. No desire.”
A fourth said: “Another yawnathon.”
Harry Kane of England (Getty)
Prior to the game, Phil Foden suggested he would be playing in a more central role to help get the best out of him against the Swiss.
He told the BBC: “We changed formation to match what they do and get pressure up the field and to try retain the ball – let’s see if it works, I am looking forward to it.
“For me it will be I’ll be more centrally and staying inside. I think it will suit me a little bit better today.
“If we get the formation right and press right it will give us a lot of confidence.”
