Former England manager Gareth Southgate has been honored with a knighthood in the 2025 New Year Honors list, recognizing his transformative impact on English football during his eight-year tenure as national team manager. The 54-year-old led the Three Lions through a remarkable period that saw the team reach three major tournament finals.
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Southgate’s journey with England began in 2016, and he quickly established himself as one of the most successful managers in the team’s history. Under his leadership, England reached the 2018 World Cup semifinals, their first appearance at that stage since 1990. He followed this achievement by guiding the team to the Euro 2020 final, where they were narrowly defeated by Italy on penalties.
The crowning moment of his tenure came with another finals appearance at Euro 2024, though his side ultimately fell short in a 2-1 defeat to Spain. Despite not securing a major trophy, Southgate’s tenure marked a period of consistent excellence that had eluded England for decades.
His knighthood recognizes not just his tactical achievements but also his role in reconnecting the national team with its fanbase and fostering a positive team culture. Sir Gareth’s calm demeanor and progressive leadership style helped transform the England setup into one of football’s most professional and forward-thinking organizations.
Following the Euro 2024 final defeat, Southgate stepped down from his position, leaving behind a legacy of near-misses but also of restored pride in the national team.
