Coach in the line of ire

England's Southgate jeered despite his team advancing to round of 16

Top of the group, unbeaten and on the favourable side of the draw for the knockout phase of Euro 2024. It's a case of job done for England.

Try telling that to the fans who jeered loudly and threw beer cups as the final whistle blew on a 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Cologne Stadium on Tuesday.

Criticism of England's performances in Germany has been fierce.

"I've not seen any team qualify and receive similar," manager Gareth Southgate said.

He believes he and his England team could be paying the price for its success under his leadership. And safe passage through to the round of 16 maintains his personal record of advancing from the group stage of every major tournament he's taken charge of, dating back to the World Cup in 2018.

Still, it can look forward to the knock out phase with a certain degree of optimism having ended up on the opposite side of the draw to Spain, France, Germany and Portugal after advancing as group winner.