Gareth Southgate’s journey as the manager of the England national football team has been nothing short of remarkable. When he took over in 2016, the team was in disarray after a humiliating defeat to Iceland in Euro 2016. However, Southgate quickly turned things around and led the Three Lions to two Euros finals and a World Cup semi-final.
Despite England’s loss in the Euro 2024 final, Southgate is still considered a strong candidate for knighthood. Fans like Paul Murray from Surrey believe that Southgate deserves this honor for his contributions to English football. Bookie Betfair has even placed Southgate as the favorite with odds of 2/1 to be knighted.
Last night, after the defeat, Southgate remained composed but acknowledged that the opposing team was the better side. He admitted that England didn’t maintain possession well enough and credited the winners’ deserving victory.
Southgate inherited a legacy of disappointments and penalties heartbreaks that have plagued England since their historic World Cup win in 1966. The team has often been labeled as the eternal nearly men of world football. However, under Southgate’s leadership, there has been a noticeable shift in mentality.
Within just two years of taking charge, Southgate built a young and confident team that came within 22 minutes of reaching the World Cup final in Moscow. Although they fell short against Croatia, they managed to defeat Germany on their way to the Euro 2020 final against Italy. Unfortunately, England’s penalty curse struck again, leading to their defeat.
What has been particularly impressive about England’s recent performances is their consistency and ability to “win ugly.” This has been evident throughout their brilliant cup run this summer, culminating in their appearance in the foreign tournament final in Berlin.
While the loss in the Euro 2024 final may have been disappointing for England fans, it is clear that Southgate has transformed the team and instilled a winning mentality. Despite the defeat, his achievements are undeniable, and he remains a strong contender for knighthood.