‘We back our best’: Southgate throws support behind under-fire Maguire

Gareth Southgate has offered his full backing to Harry Maguire as he prepares for Friday night’s Nations League tie here against Italy and the first opportunity to move on from June’s terrible start in the competition – when the England manager admits that he made mistakes.

Southgate’s team lost 1-0 in Hungary – only their second loss in 23 matches; the other had come on penalties against Italy in the Euro 2020 final. And then, after draws with Germany and Italy, they slumped to a 4-0 home reverse against Hungary, when Southgate was jeered by the crowd at Molineux.

Southgate said he had lacked ruthlessness and made compromises which he regretted, suggesting the team’s previous excellent form had taken the edge out of the environment.

But he was most interesting before the return fixture with Italy when he discussed Maguire who, after a poor season last time out, remains out of touch and under unforgiving scrutiny. The Manchester United captain has now lost his place at club level.

Southgate made the point that the situation could not go on forever, with the World Cup looming at the end of November. After Italy, England play Germany at Wembley on Monday and then it will be their opening World Cup tie against Iran.

But Southgate drew a parallel from the rugby world when he remembered how the England head coach, Eddie Jones, had stood by his Saracens stars when they were not playing at the required level after the club’s relegation in 2020.

“Eddie felt they were his best players and, although they were undercooked, they were still going to be better than players that weren’t at the level,” Southgate said. “Clearly, it’s not an ideal situation [with Maguire]. We’re only a few weeks on from pre-season so, physically, if