In a historic moment at Windsor Castle, Gareth Southgate, the former England manager, was knighted for his services to football. The 54-year-old, who recently stepped down from his managerial position after nearly eight years, received the honour for his impactful tenure with the English national team.
Southgate's influence extended far beyond the playing field, making him one of the most respected figures in football. He becomes only the seventh football manager to be knighted, joining an elite group that includes football legends like Sir Alf Ramsey, Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Kenny Dalglish, and Sir Walter Winterbottom.
Southgate's England tenure, marked by near misses in major tournaments, has been the subject of much debate. England lost successive European Championship finals to Spain in 2024 and Italy at Wembley in 2021, and a World Cup semi-final to Croatia in 2018. Critics might label him as a nearly manager of a nearly team, but Southgate's impact on English football goes far beyond this label.
Despite falling short of winning major trophies, Southgate's influence on the English national team and football in general is undeniable. He restored the image of the team, making players proud to represent their country once more, and reviving the passion of the supporters.
Southgate's knighthood is a testament to his exemplary service to England and the Football Association. He served as a distinguished full international, under-21 coach, and senior team manager, taking over from Sam Allardyce in late 2016 and inheriting a chaotic situation that he almost transformed into silver.
Off the pitch, Southgate's mature and measured leadership was priceless, particularly in dealing with sensitive issues such as racism. He demonstrated his diplomatic skills during a night of shame in Sofia in October 2019, when racist abuse targeted Tyrone Mings and Raheem Sterling during a Euro 2020 qualifier against Bulgaria. Southgate handled the situation with caution, acknowledging England's own struggles with racism while standing firm against such abhorrent behavior.
Southgate's tenure as England's manager was not just about football; he was the perfect ambassador for the FA, embodying the values of sportsmanship, decency, and inclusivity. His legacy will always be those near misses, but his impact on English football will be remembered for years to come.
With his knighthood, Southgate joins an exclusive list of football greats who have been honoured for their contributions to the beautiful game. His legacy will stand comparison, and indeed improve upon, that of any of his predecessors following Sir Alf's World Cup win.
Image Source: Getty Images
Image Caption: Sir Gareth Southgate was knighted for his services to football
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment
Be the first to comment on this article!