Residents in Back Southgate street refuse to back Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024 insisting ‘he has no Plan B’
RESIDENTS in the East Yorkshire street of Back Southgate yesterday refused to back Gareth Southgate – insisting: “He has no Plan B.”
The locals abandoned the England boss after the Three Lions failed to impress in their opening three group games.
A 1-0 win against Serbia was followed by a dismal 1-1 draw with Denmark and an uninspiring 0-0 against Slovenia on Tuesday.
And the homeowners of Back Southgate, in the seaside town of Hornsea, have lost patience with their man.
Asked if Southgate could still rely on his backing, Chris Sergeant, 63, said: “No – I don’t like the bloke.
“He has got no Plan B, has he?
“If you had a manager like Pep Guardiola he would have a Plan B straightaway.
“Or Jurgen Klopp. I’d take him any day.”
Chris added: “We haven’t played well all tournament.
“When the players need a kick up the backside I don’t think he is the man to do it.
“I could be manager of England.”
Neighbour John Hague, 72, nodded in agreement and said: “He’s a nice bloke but, like Chris says, he has not got that ‘Go for it lads’ in him.
“As a bloke he is fine but he is too soft.”
The leafy street boasts just a dozen homes and is just off the centre of the bustling town of Hornsea.
England flags sit in planters and a sign outside the nearby ex servicemen’s club offers locals the chance to watch ‘live football’.
But Geoff Hall, 59, was among those struggling to back the man in charge after the first three performances.
He said: “I think he should change things up.
“He is too negative and doesn’t get the best out of the players.
“The players are trying and I’ll always support them, but I think we could get more out of it.
“Southgate is too safe.
“He has the pressure of the nation on him but look at what Spain did.”
There was one willing to publicly back Southgate who has led England to a World Cup semi-final and a Euros final.
Loyal Jean McKee, 64, vowed: “I’m backing him all the way. They’re going through a bad patch but they’ll come out of it.
“I like the man and so does my husband Dave who is the footie fan.
“My husband is very disappointed at the moment but thinks they will come good.
“Keep the faith.”