"We all want to be loved," England coach Garry Southgate said following his team's quarterfinal victory in the Euro 2024.

When Gareth Southgate managed England in Euro 2024, he was constantly criticized. Making it to the championship game can reignite passion with the team's fan base.

At one game, a coach who was formerly adored by his team's supporters and had the most successful record of any England manager had been the focus of a tirade of plastic cups from irate supporters and condemnation from British TV pundits for his conservative style.

The 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday in the semifinals of Euro 2024 might alter all of that. For the most part of the match, Southgate's team adopted a more open, attacking style of play. His choice to switch Ollie Watkins for captain Harry Kane paid off as the substitute scored an incredible winner in stoppage time.

It's true that we all want to be loved. It's difficult when you're a proud Englishman doing something for your country, when you don't feel that way back, and when all you read is criticism. Thus, it is really, really amazing to be able to enjoy the second final (after Euro 2020)," Southgate remarked, honoring England's intrepid supporters.

"I would have been watching and rejoicing along with them if I hadn't been on the grass. We are quite similar people, but I have to choose the team, of course. Thus, it's really special to be able to give them a night like this one.

Formerly, Southgate was viewed as someone who helped England's supporters rediscover the team and fall in love with it.

The vest, or waistcoat, that Southgate wore during the 2018 World Cup became one of the most recognizable images of his first big tournament in charge, and supporters began singing that he was "the one."

However, others felt that England's home defeat to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final highlighted the limitations of his conservative approach, as England attempted and failed to hold a 1-0 lead.