Harry Maguire has labelled the criticism of England’s performances at Euro 2024 as ‘ridiculous’.
The Three Lions went all the way in which to their second consecutive ultimate on the European Championships below Gareth Southgate, after by no means beforehand going past the semi-finals previous to Euro 2020.
Nevertheless, England and now-former supervisor Southgate nonetheless got here below immense criticism from supporters and pundits alike for the way of their performances. Southgate even endured plastic cups being thrown at him by some followers in attendance at their 0-0 group stage draw with Slovenia.
Southgate has, after all, since resigned however has been defended by one among his most loyal generals throughout his reign, Maguire, who has questioned what extra folks wished from a workforce that reached one other ultimate.
“[Criticism] was a bit ridiculous. Sure, performances may not have been wonderful however it’s event soccer,” Maguire informed BBC Sport. “It’s not as expansive. There are far much less dangers taken.
“You may’t afford to make errors or get caught going out in a full press. You noticed all through the event there weren’t many high-scoring wins.
“I simply don’t know what the media or followers anticipated of this workforce. Was it to go and beat Serbia 4-0 within the first sport after which beat Denmark 3-0? Did they assume it was simply going to be a stroll within the park?”
Lacking Euro 2024 the ‘hardest second’ in Maguire’s profession
Maguire was a stalwart for England within the Southgate period, taking part in a distinguished function of their runs to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, third place on the 2019 Uefa Nations League finals and the ultimate of Euro 2020.
The Man Utd centre-back made the provisional squad for the journey to Germany this summer season as nicely, however was pressured out of the reckoning due to a muscle harm.
Maguire admits that disappointment was as laborious because it’s obtained in his profession thus far.
“It was an actual robust second in my profession. It was in all probability the hardest second in my profession thus far,” Maguire informed Sky Sports activities.
“To get myself right into a place the place all 12 months I’ve labored laborious to play on the finish of the season and to play in these large video games, cup finals after which to go to the Euros and attempt to win the event for my nation.
“I felt like I obtained myself in an awesome place bodily and mentally to go and carry out on the highest degree, and to face the setback I did with the harm, it was an actual robust second for me.”
