England once again came second in the Euro finals with a 2-1 defeat to Spain, but manager Gareth Southgate is expected to be honored with a knighthood from the British royal family for his outstanding coaching achievements. The news, which comes from leading British media outlet inews, certainly adds a dash of color to the decorated head coach.
Southgate is the favorite to be knighted thanks to his brilliant record of leading England. As the only manager in history to have led his team to two international finals, Southgate not only ended England's 55-year wait for a final in the last European Cup, but also led the team to save the day at critical moments, showing extraordinary leadership and tactical intelligence. His coaching career has undoubtedly become a good story in the history of English soccer.
Along with Southgate himself, England's star players will also be honored for their outstanding performances in the tournament. The likes of captain Harry Kane, who stepped up to the plate in a number of key matches and won valuable victories for his team with skill and tenacity, should not be overlooked for their contributions as well.
Southgate has also guided England to the World Cup semi-finals during his managerial career and has just celebrated his 100th game as a manager. Despite ongoing speculation as to whether he will leave his post after Euro 2024, his place in the hearts of fans and media alike has remained solid.
However, Southgate's path to knighthood has not been a smooth one. Previously, he was challenged by HM Revenue & Customs for tax avoidance over his involvement in a film investment scheme, leading to the knighthood decision being put on hold. But Southgate's spokesman was quick to clarify, emphasizing that he had always paid his taxes and complied with the rules, and that the issue had been resolved in a timely manner.
Ultimately, any formal decision on the honor would need to be approved by the relevant parliamentary committee. But in any case, Southgate and the England team have achieved enough to go down in history as the pride of English soccer.
