I was better off asleep, says England fan spotted napping at Three Lions snore draw as he gives Gareth Southgate verdict
AN ENGLAND revealed he was better off asleep after he was pictured dozing off during England’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
Freddie Hahn, 32, nodded off in the stands during England’s bore draw in their final game of the Euros group stage.
The pensions manager woke up to booing with several fans disappointed with the team’s performance.
Freddie, from Crawley, Sussex, claimed to have had a great day out until the football match ruined it.
However, he has enjoyed his newfound fame after a picture of him sprawled in his stadium seat featured on The Sun’s front page.
But to be honest, I could probably do a better job than him
Freddie Hahn
The dad of one will continue to back manager Gareth Southgate on the condition that England improves and lifts the trophy in Germany.
He said: “It was a very dull game.
“There wasn’t much going on and I thought I was better off asleep.
“There was a lot of booing at the end and that woke me up.
“I was actually having a nice dream about England winning the tournament — but I woke up to the nightmare of England’s performance.
“I’d been on the beers all day and just thought it’s better to close my eyes than see what was happening on the pitch.”
The England manager had plastic beer cups thrown at him by a section of the fans following the draw in Cologne on Tuesday night.
It was the latest in a dull campaign that saw the supposed tournament favourites secure the top spot after scoring just two goals in three games.
Freddie paid just £25 for his match ticket and flew to Germany with pals from the local soccer team, Crawley Devils — from Southgate’s home town.
“We actually attended the same secondary school,” Freddie added.
“I didn’t boo him when I woke up because he’s from the same place as me and I didn’t want to be too harsh on him.”
“But to be honest, I could probably do a better job than him.”
Southgate will be hoping for a better performance from his £1.2billion superstar squad as they look to lift their first silverware in 58 years.
The England fan admitted that the seven or eight pints he had during the day caused him to doze off even before kick-off
“We came into the city very early, had a fantastic lunch and started drinking,” he added.
‘GOOD LAUGH’
“There was a real party atmosphere and no trouble.
“It was a fantastic occasion.
“The only thing that ruined it was what happened on the pitch.”
Freddie, who has a one-year-old son with his partner, Tash Copsey, said he is known for falling asleep, especially at parties.
He said: “I didn’t realise a picture of me sleeping would become such a big thing. My partner and family are having a good laugh about it.
“I’ve had lots of messages. People find it really hilarious, really funny.
“I’m the most famous England fan in the world at the moment.
“A lot of people know me as the bloke who falls asleep at parties, but I’ve never done it in a packed football stadium before.
“I put it down to my busy life and the fact that I’ve got a young child.
“It was nice to get out to Germany and spend some time with the lads.”
Freddie, who manages a football team in the Mid Sussex league, added: “I think I put my players to sleep sometimes with my team talks.
“I love going to watch England away and I’ve had a great time and hopefully Gareth and the boys can turn it around.
“It was a frustrating game because we have so much talent at our disposal.”
Freddie flew back to England yesterday — and has no plans to return to Germany.
England player ratings: Southgate's Gallagher experiment fails miserably vs Slovenia
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance - but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball.
Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing.
He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward.
Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it.
Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick.
Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play.
So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact