Grealish rallies behind the boss
ENGLAND: STAR TELLS CRITICS TO LAY OFF SOUTHGATE
Jack Grealish has backed England manager Gareth Southgate after he endured “very harsh” criticism following the Three Lions’ disappointing results in the summer.
While the World Cup in November is England’s focus, Southgate’s side are in danger of relegation from their Nations League group heading into today’s match against Italy.
England failed to win any of their four Nations League games in June, a dismal run that featured a pair of embarrassing defeats against Hungary.
That triggered a deluge of criticism for Southgate, but Manchester City and England winger Grealish believes that was unfair to a manager who led his country to the Euro 2020 final and the 2018 World Cup semifinals.
“We reached the final last year and then the Hungary game (we lost 1-0) at the start of the last camp. I think before that the last time we’d lost a game over 90 minutes was maybe Belgium in November 2020 or something,” Grealish said.
“So, I think it is very harsh, especially as you saw at the World Cup and the Euros how well the team did and the manager himself.
“I thought it was obviously harsh but sometimes that’s what you get if you’re English. I’ve certainly had my fair share!”
Grealish knows all about public criticism after his erratic form for Premier League champions City since his British record £100 million move from Aston Villa last year.
The 27-year-old scored his first goal this season in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Wolves, with City teammate Kevin De Bruyne suggesting that English players are unfairly targeted for abuse.
“Obviously when I have the price tag on my head, people are going to talk. It’s just something that I need to (get on with).” –