Gareth Southgate says he’s “extremely grateful” for being awarded a knighthood within the King’s New Yr Honours checklist however joked he wouldn’t be referred to as ‘Sir’ by his household.
The 54-year-old is the fourth England supervisor to be knighted, following Walter Winterbottom, World Cup winner Alf Ramsey, and Bobby Robson, who took the workforce to the 1990 World Cup semi-final.
Southgate led the Three Lions to their first main event last since their World Cup win in 1966 at Euro 2020, shedding on penalties to Italy, earlier than taking them to their first showpiece match on overseas soil in Germany, although they have been overwhelmed 2-1 by Spain.
He was in control of England for eight years, having taken the function following Sam Allardyce’s abrupt exit in 2016, and registered probably the most main event wins of any supervisor within the nationwide workforce’s historical past (14).
He additionally led England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals 4 years later in Qatar however was unable to finish the look ahead to a serious trophy.
Southgate, who has hinted he could step away from soccer administration sooner or later, was delighted with the honour.
“I’m deeply grateful for all the type messages and feedback I’ve obtained because the announcement of my knighthood,” he wrote on LinkedIn on Tuesday.
“It has been the best honour to signify my nation as each a participant and a supervisor for some 20 years and to be a part of the sport I really like for nearly 40. I’m extremely grateful for the wonderful folks and groups who’ve supported me each on and off the sector.
Sir Gareth Southgate
Our former supervisor and participant has been awarded a Knighthood within the King’s New Yr Honours Listing for 2025 for his providers to affiliation soccer pic.twitter.com/TsYcKYOusb
— England (@England) December 30, 2024
“A particular thanks to my household for his or her fixed love and encouragement, although I have to admit they’ve made it clear that the titles I maintain at residence will stay unchanged.”
Southgate’s last event in cost noticed his facet attain their first-ever last on overseas soil, although their defeat to Spain additionally noticed England turn out to be the primary workforce in historical past to lose consecutive Euros finals, with the previous defender the one supervisor to ever lose two such matches.
Regardless of falling brief on the last Euros in consecutive tournaments, the FA hailed Southgate as considered one of England’s “best ever managers”.
“All through his profession within the sport as a participant, coach and change-maker, he has embodied one of the best of English soccer,” FA chair Debbie Hewitt mentioned.
“Certainly one of our best ever managers, Sir Gareth’s outstanding teaching achievements throughout 4 main tournaments embody two successive Euro finals, equalling our best-ever males’s World Cup efficiency away from residence and being ranked on this planet’s prime 5 for greater than 5 years.”
