Erik ten Hag criticises Gareth Southgate after England's hard-fought win in UEFA Euro 2024

England began their UEFA Euro 2024 with a hard-fought win against Serbia. The Three Lions scored the only goal of the match in the 13th minute after Jude Bellingham meeting with his head of a deflected cross of Bukayo Saka. However, Gareth Southgate's side who were tagged as favourites ahead of the tournament did not perform like that on the weekend. They were lucky to not have conceded in the game. 

Southgate needs to manage a star-studded English side a bit better, as there were no proper tactics of attack or to create any kind of chances, there was no fluidity in the game for the side as well. The side dominated possession but failed to create many openings, with captain Harry Kane rarely touching the ball once in the opening 45 minutes. After the game, several football coaches and pundits have criticised the manager for his poor result with the team.  

Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag has also taken a dig at the 53-year-old. He believed that there was no vision after scoring the first goal. Serbia was denied with a clear penalty opportunity after Aleksandar Mitrovic was brought down by Kieran Tripper inside the box. In the second half of the game, they had some chances with Kane's header hitting the bar and coming out. 

It’s the vision of the manager: Erik ten Hag

The Manchester United boss was working as a pundit for Dutch television channel NOS, and said after the match "It’s the vision of the manager [Southgate]. England will take a 1-0 lead, then he [Southgate] decides to start gambling with making his team compact and relying on moments for the remaining minutes of the game."

Trent Alexander Arnold was merely seen in the game as a defensive midfielder he neither closed down in the middle of the park nor could create much chance for the attackers. Phil Foden who had an amazing season with Manchester City looked clueless inside the pitch and could not do anything for the team. Southgate has failed to earn a single silverware for the side since he started his managerial career with the Lions.