Harry Kane backs Gareth Southgate amid winless run and criticism of England manager

Harry Kane believes Gareth Southgate does not deserve to be criticised for his work as England manager, crediting him as the main reason for their successful runs to the latter stages of major tournaments in recent years.

Southgate warned last week that he will not “outstay his welcome” in the job after being persistently criticised for a perceived conservatism in tactics and team selection, with former England striker Gary Lineker among those to question him last week.

England have nevertheless failed to win their last three games, their longest run without victory in almost four years, and have not scored a goal from open play in more than four hours during this current international break.

Kane was named captain by Southgate ahead of the 2018 World Cup and has been a mainstay throughout his manager’s five-and-a-half years in charge, scoring 45 of England’s 158 goals over the same period.

“I think when you look at our team, we've been one of the most successful England teams there's been over our history and Gareth has been the main part of that,” the Tottenham Hotspur striker insisted.

“Of course, there's always going to be noise, it's part and parcel of being an England coach or England player. We know that but I think the real kind of drive and togetherness we have in our squad, it doesn't really bother us, we'll always protect each other and defend each other.”

Kane added: “We know what we're trying to achieve and obviously these games are our preparation games for the World Cup and that's the most important thing. I feel like we're in a good place. There are areas we can improve for sure.

“But come the World Cup, we should be in the right moment. So I spoke about Gareth before and how much we get on and how much