Former England Manager Gareth Southgate Knighted In New Year Honours List

Former England manager Gareth Southgate has been knighted in the New Year Honours, recognising his achievements during an eight-year tenure as England boss from 2016 to 2024.

Southgate, 54, guided England to back-to-back European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024, though both ended in defeat to Italy and Spain, respectively. Under his leadership, England also reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the 2022 quarter-finals.

He becomes the fourth England manager to receive a knighthood, joining Alf Ramsey, Walter Winterbottom, and Bobby Robson. Southgate stepped down after the Euro 2024 final and has hinted at leaving football management.

In addition to Southgate, the New Year Honours celebrated achievements across various sports:

Former Wales rugby legend and ex-Welsh Rugby Union president, Gerald Davies was knighted for his contributions to the sport and charitable service. Davies, a standout player during Wales golden era, toured with the British and Irish Lions in 1968 and 1971, contributing to their only series victory over New Zealand.