Gareth Southgate has spent much of the last six years trying to rebuild a fractured relationship with England fans.
But in the space of 90 minutes at Wembley, it felt like there was a return to the bad old days with Harry Maguire. The Manchester United defender was given the sort of treatment that John Barnes, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole endured during the height of their careers for England.
The boos were loud when Maguire’s name was read out before kick-off, when he touched the ball - and it must have been devastating afterwards for a player who has always given everything for his country. Afterwards in the dressing room it was more than just rallying round a popular and highly respected member of the team.
The England players were left aghast at Maguire’s treatment from the fans; they had an impromptu meeting and gathering of thoughts. What followed was a squad’s backing done in 21st Century style as England stars took it in turns under a very deliberate squad directive to take to social media to back Maguire.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, always one of the most powerful voices in the game and an unused substitute at Wembley, said: "I can't get my head around what happened at Wembley tonight. Harry Maguire has been a colossus for England. Without him, the progress made at the last two tournaments would not have been possible.
"To be booed at his home stadium, for no reason? What have we become? What happened tonight was just wrong. As someone who wants to win with England I feel fortunate to share a dressing room with him. We all feel the same!"
England captain Harry Kane said: “We’ve worked hard to rebuild our connection with England fans in the last few years so to hear Harry Maguire booed at Wembley before kick-off was just not right. The fact that he’s been brilliant on the pitch and given us all so many great memories makes it even harder to understand. He doesn’t deserve that reception. He’s got full support in the changing room and should have the same from every England fan.”
West Ham’s Declan Rice called it a “total embarrassment” and added: “Harry Maguire has been incredible every single time he’s put on the England shirt. Absolute nonsense now it’s becoming. Back your own players. Especially with a major tournament coming up.”
That was one hell of a show of support for Maguire who was outstanding in the 2018 World Cup and became a huge favourite with the fans. But Maguire missed the end of last season through injury, rushed back to play in the Euros, did not have a proper summer holiday on the back of a tumultuous year and then ended up playing for a club who sacked their manager midway through the season and gave him a new defensive partner.
Surely somewhere along the line, Maguire deserves a bit more time, respect and understanding - or maybe it is the old club loyalties ruining the unified and togetherness which has been key in Southgate getting the fans all back behind England again.
They chanted “Southgate you’re the one” because the England manager got the fans back onside, and that is why it was a bold show of strength to call them out after what happened at Wembley. It clearly left Maguire upset and shell-shocked - his only response on social media was to post: “Enjoyable week playing for my country” - but he is rarely one to speak out or cause controversy.
There is an acceptance on his side that he has been below his best. No player sets out to play badly and yet suddenly he has been paired with Raphael Varane; the pair are still new as a pairing and Ralf Rangnick has been chopping and changing his full-backs and is, himself, an interim boss.
That is hardly a great basis for any defender to thrive, but that is when you need support the most. And now maybe the best hope for Maguire is that, in the social media age, the popular thing to do is form a strong reaction, go against the herd and the momentum might just see a strong groundswell of support for the beleaguered defender.
