Gareth Southgate is being tipped for a knighthood if England go on to win Euro 2024 and could receive one even if the Three Lions crash out.
The England boss is currently preparing his team for this evening’s semi-final showdown with the Netherlands in Dortmund as they look to make their second successive Euros final.
A number of Southgate’s squad, such as captain Harry Kane, could also receive honours if they lift the trophy on Sunday in Berlin.
But when these gongs are given could be complicated by Labour’s General Election victory and whether ousted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak submits a resignation honours list.
According to The Telegraph, Southgate was close to being given a knighthood after taking England to their first major final since 1966 at Euro 2020, which they lost to Italy via a penalty shootout at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate (pictured with Prince William) is being tipped to for a knighthood if England go on to win Euro 2024
A number of Southgate’s squad, such as captain Harry Kane (pictured), could also receive honours if they lift the trophy on Sunday in Berlin
However, Boris Johnson’s government ended talks amid questions about Southgate’s involvement in a film investment scheme HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) had challenged over tax avoidance rules.
A spokesman for Southgate said the former defender immediately resolved the matter when it was first raised and stressed he was a ‘proud Englishman’ who ‘always paid his taxes and complied with HMRC fully throughout his career’.
Guidance published on the Government’s website states that ‘poor tax behaviour is not consistent with the award of an honour’, but an England triumph in Berlin on Sunday would almost certainly upstage that.
Southgate’s tax affairs first came to light when he was appointed as England manager in 2016 and it did not prevent him from receiving an OBE after he led the team to the 2018 World Cup semi-final – there first since 1990.
He has since gone on to become the most successful England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey – taking his country to the Euro 2020 final, the 2022 World Cup quarter-final and Euro 2024 semi-final.
Southgate also reached his 100th match in charge whilst overseeing the dramatic penalty shootout victory against Switzerland on Saturday, only Sir Alf and Sir Walter Winterbottom have managed more.
Southgate’s captain Harry Kane is also expected to be handed an upgrade to his MBE after the tournament – while other members of the squad could also be handed honours as well.
Despite having a mixed Euro 2024, Kane is England’s highest-ever scorer with 65 goals and is closing in on becoming just the 10th man to be capped 100 times by the country.
Recent convention dictates that only the manager, captain and a handful of players get honours if England win a major sporting trophy.
But new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is an avid football fan and expected to attend Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, may be forced to rip these rules up if England are victorious.
Southgate also reached his 100th match in charge whilst overseeing the dramatic penalty shootout victory against Switzerland on Saturday
Up to 40,000 England fans began descending on Dortmund yesterday ahead of the Three Lions’ clash against the Netherlands
England fans wave their St George’s flag in Dortmund ahead on tomorrows semi-final against the Netherlands
England fans Chantel Padgham, 28, with her brothers Jordan, 31, and Aaron, 34, and Olivia Srawley, 28, in Dortmund for the England v Holland semi-final match on Wednesday
Up to 40,000 England fans began descending on Dortmund yesterday ahead of the Three Lions’ clash against the Netherlands.
But they could be outnumbered for the first time at this year’s Euros as Dutch fans are expected to cross the German border – just a 45-minute drive from the semi-final venue – in big numbers.
At home 28 million fans are expected to watch or stream the game on ITV, beating the record for a match aired on a single channel.
England’s Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark attracted 27.6 million on the same channel. Finals are shown on both BBC and ITV.
In Dortmund’s main square yesterday, fans were eating and drinking after arriving from Dusseldorf, where England beat Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Scott and Sam Fairbank had been due to return home on Sunday with daughter Freya, 13, but decided to remain in Germany after they ‘caught the bug’ of watching England.
Mr Fairbank, 43, from Sheffield, said extending the family’s stay for the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ match came at a price – two rooms for two nights in Dortmund has cost them £1,600.
England fans pictured holding a St George’s flag on a fairground ride in Dortmund, Germany
Scott and Sam Fairbanks had been due to return home on Sunday with daughter Freya, 13, but decided to remain in Germany after they ‘caught the bug’ of watching England
Chanel, Jordan, Aaron and Olivia wave St George’s flag from a fairground ride in Dortmund
Brothers Denny and Ronnie Lovett from Dartford, Kent, also arrived in Dortmund after making the 36-mile trip from Dusseldorf
Yan Doldersam, 25, Goleos Sepaniak, 43, and Lucas Kalevala from Emmen, Netherlands, in Dortmund for the semi-final tomorrow
In Dortmund’s main square yesterday, fans were eating and drinking after arriving from Dusseldorf, where England beat Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals. Pictured: England fans on a fairground ride
England fans pictured during the Euro quarter final match between England and Switzerland in Dusseldorf, Germany on July 6
‘They’ve ripped our eyes out with the price of those rooms’, he said.
‘And the accommodation is somewhat basic – but we fell in love with the whole experience around the Switzerland game’.
Mr Fairbank said they drove out on Friday after they told Freya’s school she had ‘German measles’.
But he added: ‘When we decided to stay out we had to phone up the school again on Monday and come clean.’
Brothers Denny and Ronnie Lovett from Dartford, Kent, also arrived in Dortmund after making the 36-mile trip from Dusseldorf – but saved cash by booking an Airbnb outside the city for £50 per night.
Estate agent Denny, 22, added: ‘We’ve already booked accommodation in Berlin (for the final) – we’re confident. You’ve got to back the team.’
