England fans may live to regret their part in Gareth Southgate's resignation, according to one player with a unique role in the Euro 2024 camp.

Manchester United's Tom Heaton was called into the squad as a training goalkeeper or, in his own words, 'a little bit of a mentor and senior player, a bit of a bridge between the coaching staff'.

Heaton was in Germany to help Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson prepare for the tournament, but he also had an insight into Southgate's inner circle.

Despite falling just short of leading England's men to a first major tournament win in 58 years, some fans turned on Southgate in the early stages. 

It reached a low point when cups of beer were thrown at him after a goalless draw with Slovenia in the final group game – something Heaton admits was 'a bit brutal'.

Tom Heaton believes fan negativity may have influence Gareth Southgate's (pictured) decision to resign as England manager after falling short at Euro 2024

The negativity that built around England's campaign is understood to have played a part in Southgate's decision to quit after eight years in charge.

Asked if those fans may come to regret their actions, Heaton said: 'I really do. If you think back to the track record, I think he's changed the feel and expectation of it.

'We were all sort of excited to watch the games. We were performing well. So I think now that the door has sort of shut on it in that way, I think we will come back to go 'incredible job'.

'It's very rare in football you get a squad of players, the ones who aren't playing, every single person there wants to win it for the manager. He is a leader you want to follow. You want to go win it for him because of what he's done.

'I was involved from the start of that tenure when it changed over from Big Sam (Allardyce) to him in the first couple of years, and since that point it always felt really, really positive. And I think that first game (against Sebia at the Euros), it felt different. It felt like the narrative had changed.

'Getting booed in each half, pretty much every half all the way to the semi-final, it's not easy. I don't know, of course, but I imagine that probably took its toll on him.

'That sort of guy who would only be wanting the optimism to try and win it, giving everything he's got for it. So I didn't know. 

'I suppose I was caught a little bit by surprise (by Southgate's decision), but when I thought back and reflected, I could maybe see it from his point of view. He's his own man in terms of what he wants.

'The preparation in these tournaments, the level of detail that goes into it, it's intense. He probably needs a bit of a break. But I would imagine it would be on his mind to get back into it (club football).

'If I'm honest, the narrative through the tournament was a surprise to me. We were aware of the noise on the outside, but inside it really was brilliant. We all want to go and win 3-0 or 4-0, but I think they're built on really solid defensive displays.

'Not that we set out to be overly defensive by any stretch, but we did have a real defensive strength to us. We were obviously aware of that, but there was no negativity inside it really.

'It always makes you think, where did it come from? Football's always on a knife edge, I suppose. I know we all want to win it but it's not straightforward. It's never easy. There are teams sitting in, very, very difficult to break down.

'And you think we've finished top of the group. We had some major moments getting there but to do that, if you're going to win it, you have to go through those moments. I thought we were doing that well, so we were building up a belief in that.

'Major tournaments are difficult anyway, as you know. And I think as players trying to perform, it's not easy especially with expectations because we've got a lot of good players.'

Heaton, 38, has only made two appearances in two seasons at United after returning to his boyhood club in 2021. 

He could have left as a free agent this summer but signed a new one-year contract despite his lack of opportunities after becoming third-choice behind Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

Now the former Aston Villa and Burnley keeper wants to take his opportunity to remind manager Erik ten Hag – and new goalkeeper coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar – what he can do on United's pre-season tour of the US.

He added: 'I had a couple of discussions with a few other people, but to be true to myself, it didn't feel right. The gut didn't feel right. I've still got a big hunger to play.

'Admittedly I was a little frustrated last year at the lack of playing opportunities. Me and the manager had quite a few conversations about it, but that's football.

'I also know I'm getting older but I still think I can deliver when I need to, and I'll be trying to show him that in the next few weeks.'