The level of personal abuse and scrutiny that followed the humiliation of Hungary at the hands of England has never been experienced by the manager before.
The loss to Croatia in the last four of the World Cup in Russia and the defeat to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final was a glorious failure as England were in territory they had not occupied in so long.
Even though his conservative approach in the first two games of the Nations League had been changed, his status as "the one" was largely untouched by England fans.
The embarrassment at the hands of a workman like Hungary side was different. Not the same.
As the pain piled up with loud chants of "You don't know what you're doing", as a result of the worst performance in his six years as England manager, Southgate was the main target for the maniacs at the Wolves.
He is aware of what he is doing. He led England to their first major final in 50 years. Although they should, they have breezed through the qualification process.
Is the winner England wants for the longest time? This is a question that is not answered.
He is contracted for two more years after the World Cup, but there is no doubt that this will shape his future.
Football managers have a short memory, especially with England, and that's why they're not going anywhere. He shouldn't go to the World Cup in six months. Someone who has achieved what he has in his two major tournaments doesn't need a debate.
This does not change the fact that an England team is in danger of being demoted and without a goal in open play for six hours.
England have been uninspired, out of sorts and just deadly dull, as they have been surrounded by complaints of discontent and off-stage chuntering.
They needed a convincing win to end the season and stem the growing gripes, but instead they were humiliated by a Hungary side ranked 40th in the world.
There needs to be context.
The England players looked tired at the end of the season. The international break has seen defeat in Hungary, a goalless draw with Italy and a late Harry Kane penalty, as well as a massacre against Hungary.
There is no escaping the fact that England do not resemble a team that has moved forward in the last year and now have only two more Nations League games against Italy and Germany to start looking like one.
The performance of John Stones, even though he was sent off, will not lower pulse rates because of the over-reliance on Kane.
It wasn't a bad night for Jordan Pickford to have off, his status as England's number one was further enhanced as he was stuck behind such a terrible performance by his own team-mates.
This summer break is needed by England to refresh their minds and bodies to understand what has happened over the last year.
He wants players who have looked tired to come through the first three months of the season unscathed.
Jude Bellingham is going to come further into the equation if the formation and personnel are settled. He has to make a decision on whether or not to change his trusted pair of KalvinPhillips and DeclanRice, who were out of sorts against Hungary.
Can a forward stick their hand up as a backup? This is something that will hopefully never have to be done because of the England captain's influence on goal scoring.
Tuesday was a hard day to forget, but it won't be easy. Until England reassembles in September, it will cast a cloud over the area. It was so badly damaged.
England have not been firing for some time, and that's part of the reason for the result. The people have looked at the drift.
Things are not unraveling in England. In September of last year, they inflicted the same damage on Hungary.
The goodwill among England fans has run a little dry in recent times, but there is still time to replenish it, to at least start the World Cup in better shape than this season.
As the clock nears the end of the day, both England's manager and players need to get their batteries charged.
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