England post-mortem: Hungary defeat could be beginning of the end for Gareth Southgate – he needs Man Utd captain Harry Maguire more than ever

Following a shocking 4-0 defeat at home to Hungary, Metro.co.uk looks at the problems facing England and under-fire manager Gareth Southgate with the World Cup firmly on the horizon.

So is this the beginning of the end for Gareth Southgate? Following the booing, jeering and chanting at Molineux on Tuesday, the truth is it could be.

This could represent the start of real problems for a manager who has taken the national team to a World Cup semi-final and European Championship final if the side continues to go downhill from here.

Clearly, there appears to be a growing element of Three Lions fans who want Southgate out. His perceived lack of attacking football and lack of desire to start Jack Grealish – who did not even make it off the bench in Wolverhampton – has gone against him in that respect.

He’s seen as a diplomat, not a top boss. But the results (this month aside) say otherwise and he will point to that as England prepare for the World Cup. The fact remains Southgate must win over supporters again.

How does he do that? Winning against Italy and Germany in the two remaining Nations League fixtures in September would not do any harm but the truth is only success in Qatar can convince the doubters Southgate is the right man to continue as England manager.

Everything will be judged against the team’s performance in the Middle-East. Those who believe his inability to finish the job, by not making the right changes when required in big matches, will be so vast in number if it happens again that it feels like it must be third time lucky in a big tournament this time.

England followers might be running out of patience now but Southgate does deserve more – more time and more backing to get it right. Going to the World Cup up