England fans turn on Gary Neville with foul-mouthed chant after Union Flag row

 England fans mocked Thomas Tuchel’s criticism of their support and called Gary Neville a “w-----” on the night the national team qualified for the World Cup.

The songs aimed at head coach Tuchel appeared pointed during the first half, but became less frequent in the second. The German joined his players in going over to applaud the visiting fans at the end of England’s 5-0 thrashing of Latvia. It was a win that clinched their place at next year’s tournament.

Just minutes into the World Cup qualifier in Riga, England fans started singing “Thomas Tuchel, we sing when we want.” The song was in response to Tuchel claiming the England fans inside Wembley were too quiet during the friendly victory over Wales last week.

“They had a reason today from my last comments and I guess that’s fair enough,” Tuchel said. “I got a bit of stick and I found it quite creative. It made me smile and this is how it has to be. It’s British humour and I can take it. No harm done.”

There was certainly no goodwill in the chant directed at former England right-back Neville, who hit out earlier this month at “angry middle-aged white men”. England fans chanted “Gary Neville, what a w-----” early in the Latvia game.

Neville upset England fans by criticising people displaying the flag of United Kingdom. In a video posted on social media, he said: “I just kept thinking as I was driving home that we’re all being turned on each other. And the division that’s being created is absolutely disgusting. Mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men, who know exactly what they’re doing.”

England clinched World Cup qualification with an unblemished record, but the first goal against Latvia – scored by Anthony Gordon – was met with songs of “our support is f------ s---” and “1-0 to the library.”

Tuchel believes the fans will be crucial to his team’s chances in the United States next summer and insists he wants to make them proud.

He said: “The support today was brilliant and we are very sure the support in America will be absolutely brilliant. We need it. It makes such a difference if you go out as a player or as a coach and you see the fans behind the team and singing.

“We want to make them proud, we want to make them happy. They should be happy to watch us and they should be able to identify with how we play. We are on our way to build something and it was a top performance from them today.”

Those comments were in contrast with Tuchel’s criticism of England fans at Wembley last week, when he said: “The stadium was silent. We didn’t get any energy back from the stands. We did everything to win.

“Yes [we expected more from the fans]... If you hear just Wales fans for half an hour, it’s sad because the team deserved more support.”

It was initially hard to gauge how good-natured or otherwise the songs in response against Latvia were, but Tuchel took it in good heart during the second period when he clapped the fans above his head and gave them a thumbs up.

England have two more World Cup qualifying games, against Serbia and Albania in November. They will play two games at Wembley in March before travelling to the United States, where they are expected to take part in two warm-up games in preparation for the tournament.

“I need to enjoy this moment,” said Tuchel. “I can feel it in the dressing room. It is a very special moment. It’s not daily business that you qualify for a World Cup. We will then think about how this affects our next camp.

“Harry [Kane] just gave a speech when he said that everyone will be ready to keep this thing going in November, that no one will step back and take this thing for granted. They feel they’re building something.”