Euro 2024: Erik Ten Hag Slams Gareth Southgate After England’s Win Over Serbia

• Erik the Hag delivered a scathing assessment of Gareth Southgate by questioning the England manager’s ‘vision’
• The Three Lions kicked off their Euros campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday, June 16
• Ten Hag accused Southgate of lacking a proper game plan and ‘relying on moments’ within the star-studded England team

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was thoroughly critical of Gareth Southgate after England’s 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday, June 16.

The Three Lions got their Euro 2024 campaign to a winning start as Jude Bellingham scored a header in Gelsenkirchen to give his nation a narrow 1-0 win.

England were, however, lucky to come away with all three points as they lost control of the game in the second half after a dominant opening 45 minutes.

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Ten Hag weighs in on Southgate

Ten Hag, while speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS, claimed the England team was very ‘passive’, and accused Southgate’s men of allowing Serbia to attack.

“England were playing very passive. I actually saw them moving backwards; they kept Serbia coming at them,” he said, per ESPN.

“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.”

Interestingly, Southgate was one of the managers tipped to replace the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag speaks on his Man United future

In the same interview, ten Hag further opened up on the circumstances that led to United deciding to keep him at Old Trafford.

He added, “United have told me that they spoke with [Thomas] Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager.”

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According to ten Hag, United briefly cut his holiday short by flying to Ibiza to open talks.

“INEOS took their time. They are new in football, it's normal to reflect the season. It's no secret that they talked with multiple candidates.”

What next for England?

England’s next game is another crunch encounter against Denmark on Thursday, June 20, according to England Football.

The Three Lions are top of Group C with three points after Denmark and Slovenia played out a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

A win against the Danes will be enough to book England a slot in the last 16 of the competition.

Jude Bellingham’s new celebration

Sports Brief also reported on Jude Bellingham’s new goal celebration after scoring for England.

Bellingham, coming off a spectacular season with Real Madrid, carried his impressive form into the international stage by scoring a header in the 13th minute from Bukayo Saka's deflected cross.

After scoring, the 20-year-old executed his signature celebration, then shared a never-before-seen moment with Alexander-Arnold, kneeling and covering their faces in a choreographed move.