Gareth Southgate, the former England head coach who led the Three Lions to the final of Euro 2024, is set to be knighted in the New Year’s Honours.
The 54 year old, who also guided England to the final of Euro 2020, the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, and the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, has kept a low profile since his resignation.
Despite being linked with the Manchester United job over the summer, Southgate, who was made an OBE in 2019 for his work with the national team, looks set to receive a higher honour in the upcoming New Year’s Honours list.
After being cleared of any wrongdoing in his tax affairs, it was reported that Southgate was in line for a knighthood.
According to The Sun, approval letters have now been sent out by the Honours Committee. Southgate will become the third England manager to receive a knighthood, following Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey.
With a record of 64 wins, 20 draws, and just 18 losses in 102 matches, Southgate is England’s most successful boss since Sir Alf, who won the World Cup in 1966. Since leaving his role, Southgate has taken a break from the public eye.
The former England boss has revealed that he’s been soaking up the beautiful game as a UEFA technical observer, distancing himself from the managerial merry-go-round.
In a reflective LinkedIn post, he shared his thoughts: “After eight years serving in one of the highest-profile roles in world football, I am consciously taking time to reflect on what I lived through and thinking deeply about what comes next. Every morning I drove through the gates of St George’s Park, I had a responsibility to improve English football.
“Whenever the national anthem played pre-game, I was representing 50 million people, their hopes and dreams. When I travelled, or spoke publicly, I had a duty to be an ambassador for my country.
“This higher purpose kept me on track, gave me structure, made my life more fulfilling and is going to be extremely difficult to replicate. It’s why I’m not limiting my future options to remaining as a football coach.
“It’s my intention to identify people I want to work with and projects and passions I want to work on. I will be putting purpose high on my list of considerations, because in those difficult moments we all face, the purpose will keep us going.”
