Gareth Southgate knighted as ex-England boss rewarded by Prince William | Football | Sport
Former England manager Gareth Southgate has been knighted after being recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list. Southgate, 54, stepped down from his role after leading England to the final of Euro 2024. The Three Lions were beaten 2-1 by Spain in Berlin.
That was the second time his side had been runners-up in the Euros, following a penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley three years previously. During his eight-year tenure, the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender also led England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the last-eight in Qatar in 2022. Overall, he managed the national side in 102 matches, winning 61 of them.
He attended Windsor Castle this morning, where he officially received the honour from Prince William. He’s become the fourth ex-England manager to be knighted, following Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey, and Sir Bobby Robson.
Former England captain David Beckham, who played alongside Southgate at international level, is also set to be knighted. Rugby league legend Billy Boston was made a Sir earlier this month by King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
Reacting to the honour, Southgate told the Press Association: “I feel very emotional about it. I am surprised by it. Words are really quite inadequate to describe it. It comes out of the blue.”
As a player, Southgate made 638 club appearances during a 16-year career. After coming through the ranks at Palace, he joined Villa and played in their 1996/95 League Cup final win over Leeds.
He also started the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea four years later, his final game for the club before switching to Boro. There, he captained Steve McClaren’s side to a first major trophy in their 128-year history, beating Bolton to win the 2005/06 League Cup in Cardiff.
Southgate was capped 57 times by England, notoriously missing a penalty in their Euro 1996 semi-final defeat to Germany. Southgate was involved in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, and managed the national side’s under-21 team for three years before succeeding Sam Allardyce in the senior role.
