- Gareth Southgate’s knighthood was in doubt due to a controversial tax issue
- He has reportedly been cleared of all wrongdoing and will receive honors
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Former England manager Gareth Southgate is set for a knighthood, according to reports.
Southgate, 54, resigned as national coach following England’s devastating 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July.
He was at the helm for eight years and guided the Three Lions to their first two major tournament finals since the country’s World Cup triumph in 1966.
His achievements have not gone unnoticed, with Southgate believed to be on course for a knighthood in the New Year Honors List. The sun.
The same publication claims that his inclusion on the list was questionable due to a controversial tax issue.
Former England manager Gareth Southgate is set for a knighthood, according to reports.
Southgate’s inclusion in the New Year Honors List was in doubt due to a controversial tax issue
Southgate had previously invested in controversial film investment scheme Ingenious Media, and executives from HM Revenue & Customs and Whitehall investigated the investment.
But the former player has been cleared after it was ruled he had not broken any rules, opening the door to a knighthood after missing out on the feat earlier in 2021 when he was placed as ‘orange’ on a ‘tax risk list’ at the time.
Southood’s knighthood still requires approval, but a source told The Sun: “Now that he’s paid the checks, people are talking about him becoming ‘Sir Gareth’.”
They added: ‘Gareth deserves a knighthood and people in high places want to honor him.
‘He was a great servant for England and came close to leading the team to their first silverware since 1966.
‘Gareth has also been a great role model and is a hugely respected public figure.’
The 54-year-old guided the Three Lions to their first two major tournament finals since 1966
Southgate took charge of England on an interim basis. He took over the position after a turbulent era in English football, which saw former Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce leave the role by mutual consent in 2016 after just 67 days.
The Englishman was in charge of 102 matches, winning 64, drawing twenty and losing only eighteen. In that time he reached two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final.
If Southgate is knighted, he will follow in the footsteps of English greats Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson.