Furious Gareth Southgate slams ‘idiotic’ fans over how they treat Harry Maguire

Gareth Southgate the manager of the England national football team has come to the defense of Harry Maguire, slamming what he considers ‘idiotic’ treatment and relentless criticism directed at the player.

Southgate expressed his frustration at the way Maguire has been targeted, deeming it the worst he has ever seen in his career.

Despite Harry Maguire’s limited playing time for Manchester United this season, Southgate has continued to include the 30-year-old centre-back in the England squad.

Maguire started in the recent 1-1 draw against Ukraine and came on as a substitute at halftime in the 3-1 victory over Scotland. However, his appearances have been met with hostility from fans and media alike.

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During the match at Hampden Park in Scotland, Maguire faced a barrage of jeers and taunts from the home crowd, which intensified after he scored an unfortunate own goal.

Southgate acknowledged the banter from Scotland’s supporters but vehemently criticized the treatment Maguire has endured from pundits, the media, and even some England fans.

In a visibly impassioned interview with beIN Sports after the match, Southgate stated, “He was exceptional for us at the weekend. The reaction tonight is a consequence of idiots really from our side who have created that environment.”

Southgate went on to commend the England fans in attendance for their support of Maguire, emphasizing the importance of protecting their own players.

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Southgate’s frustration extended to the media and pundits, as he criticized the articles and comments that have targeted Maguire.

He described them as “an absolute joke” and highlighted Maguire’s role as a pillar of strength during a successful period for English football.

Continuing his defense of Maguire in a post-match press conference, Southgate reiterated his understanding of the Scottish fans’ banter and emphasized that the criticism stemmed from a prolonged period of unwarranted treatment.

He expressed disbelief at the extent of the scrutiny Maguire has faced, both from England’s own commentators and pundits and from the media at large.

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Southgate praised Maguire’s resilience and character, emphasizing the player’s crucial role in the England team’s recent successes. He underlined the importance of senior players like Maguire and their contributions to the team’s achievements.

When asked about Maguire’s response to the criticism, Southgate affirmed that the player was doing well and had been a significant part of the team’s recent victory.

Maguire true to his character, engaged with the media and faced the scrutiny head-on. Gareth Southgate concluded by applauding Maguire’s character and the support he received from England fans during the match.