Ex-England coach Gareth Southgate in line to receive knighthood in the new year

Southgate left the Three Lions job after their loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

According to Sun Sport (sports desk of The Sun), former England manager Gareth Southgate will be knighted in the New Year’s Honours List in recognition of his efforts with the national side. Following their heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Spain in the July Euro 2024 final, he decided to step down as the Three Lions head coach.

The 54-year-old became the first manager of England in history to lead the Three Lions to successive European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024.

In addition, under Southgate, England advanced to their first major competition final since 1966 at Euro 2020. He was to be knighted, according to reports in October, but the decision needed to be approved.

The Sun claims that the Honours Committee have now granted its permission and that the letters are currently being distributed.

Due to a controversial tax matter, his inclusion on the list was questioned. Whitehall authorities and His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs looked into Southgate’s prior involvement in the contentious investment venture Ingenious Media.

The former star had previously missed out on a knighthood in 2021 because he was listed as “amber” on a “tax risk list” at the time, but he was cleared after it was determined that he had broken no regulations, opening the door to obtaining one.

At first, Southgate served as England’s temporary manager. He took over the role during a tumultuous period in English football, during which Sam Allardyce, a fellow former Three Lions manager, resigned from the position by mutual consent in 2016 after just 67 days.

During his 102 games in charge, the Englishman Southgate won 64, drew 20, and lost only 18. During that period, he advanced to two Euro finals and a World Cup semi-final, the latter of which earned him an OBE in 2019.

If he is knighted, Southgate will become the just third manager to be honoured besides England’s greatest players, Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey.

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