Gabby Agbonlahor wasn't a fan of Gareth Southgate's complaining after England's win (Image: talkSPORT/YouTube)
Former England striker Gabby Agbonlahor has hit out at Gareth Southgate for bemoaning the criticism he received despite leading England to the Euro 2024 final. Southgate, who guided the Three Lions to their second consecutive European Championships final, expressed his disappointment over the lack of support from the nation during his tenure.
The 53-year-old manager was visibly emotional as he confessed that the constant criticism had been hard to take. "We all want to be loved, right?" Southgate said. "When you are doing something for your country and you are a proud Englishman, when all you read is criticism... it is hard".
However, speaking on talkSPORT alongside Alan Brazil on Thursday (July 11), Agbonlahor took issue with Southgate's comments. He argued that the criticism levelled at Southgate was warranted given the team's underwhelming performances throughout the tournament.
"I'm not having that from Southgate, you've been criticised because the football has been woeful," Agbonlahor said. "Look at the teams we've played and we've struggled in, you look at the route to the final, Slovakia, Switzerland and Netherlands, games we should be winning.
The England boss lamented the criticism that's been aimed at him (Image: Getty)
"Let's be honest here, the players that we've got available, the players that have been left at home, so you're getting criticised which isn't nice but you're being paid £5million a year to coach the best talent, probably in a squad in the world."
The Aston Villa legend believes reaching the latter stages of tournaments should be expected of England's current crop. "What he's done with this group of players is what he should have done with this group of players," he added. "Let's have it right, let's not all be like 'you can't criticise him', we haven't won anything in 58 years. The French have, the Spanish have, the Germans have, the Portuguese have, we haven't so we deserve to criticise him".
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Agbonlahor's talkSPORT colleague Jason Cundy had nothing but praise for Southgate as he said: "To change the course of a game and a 90-minute game. Alright, there's gonna be extra time but to turn it in your favour off the bench, let me tell you, mate, that was sensational from Southgate.
"That was his best performance. He made the right subs at the right time. You can talk about good fortune, Ollie Watkins coming up at that time, there were tired legs and Southgate said it to [talkSPORT reporter] Faye [Carruthers] about if you dominate the ball towards the end of the game, then the pitch will open up."