Gareth Southgate is being tipped for a knighthood for his achievements as England manager despite falling to defeat in the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
Southgate is the only England manager in history to have led the Three Lions to two major tournament finals, after breaking the nation’s 55-year wait for a men’s final at Euro 2020.
The 53-year-old is expected to be honoured for his time in charge, which has seen him become one of England’s most successful ever managers.
Some of England’s star players, including captain Harry Kane, could also receive honours after a tournament which saw them pull off last-minute heroics and even a penalty shoot-out win as they progressed to the final.
Southgate, who has also taken the a World Cup semi-final, recently celebrated his 100th game as manager of his country, but speculation has been building that he could step down after Euro 2024.
Any formal decision on honours will have to be approved by relevant committees in the Houses of Parliament.
There had been talk of a knighthood for Southgate following Euro 2020, where England lost out to Italy in the final.
However, the decision was reported to have been put on ice over his involvement in a film investment scheme HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) had challenged over tax avoidance rules.
Southgate, whose spokesman has previously stressed he “always paid his taxes and complied with HMRC fully throughout his career”, was said to have immediately resolved the matter when it was first raised.
Now, it is understood No10 is looking again at how best to mark his success as England manager, despite falling 2-1 to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Previously, major sporting achievements have been marked with a reception held at Downing Street.
But there was no such reception when the women’s England football squad won the Euros in 2022.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, an avid football fan, travelled to Berlin to watch the Three Lions take on Spain alongside the Prince of Wales.
Starmer said he planned to “mark the occasion” if England won the final but stopped short of saying there would be a Bank Holiday on Monday.
The PM was joined by other political leaders in wishing the team luck ahead of the game.
Starmer said the team had “made the country proud” and Conservative leader Rishi Sunak – also a football fan – said the team had recorded a “huge achievement”.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/q1EK6dH
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