Southgate Part Of The New Year Honors List As He Was Awarded A Knighthood

England’s former manager Gareth Southgate has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honors list.

Southgate stepped down as the manager in July after leading England to the final of Euro 2024.

England lost to Spain during their second consecutive European final under Southgate, who also guided the side to the 2018 World Cup semi-final during his eight-year tenure.

The 54-year-old is the fourth England manager to be knighted, after Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey, and Sir Bobby Robson.

FA chair Debbie Hewitt said Southgate had “embodied the best of English football.”.

“He brought our fans closer than ever to the team, stood up for what he believed in, and inspired players to share his pride in representing England,” she said.

“It has been a privilege to know the man and the manager. All of us who have experienced his thoughtfulness, dedication, and leadership are delighted with this wonderful news.”

Former president of the Welsh Rugby Union Gerald Davies will also receive a knighthood.

Davies was also a former winger for Wales and the British & Irish Lions. He was the president of the Welsh Rugby Union for four years up to 2023 and has been honored for services to the sport and to voluntary and charitable service in Wales.

“I feel very emotional about it. I am surprised by it. Words are really quite inadequate to describe it,” Davies told reporters.

“It comes out of the blue. I was dumbstruck in many ways, but you don’t achieve these things on your own.”