England manager Gareth Southgate has been awarded an OBE after being named in the New Year Honours list for 2019.
The 48-year-old enjoyed a year to remember, after leading the Three Lions to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Russia during a special summer for all England fans.
He then took his squad into the inaugural UEFA Nations League competition in the second half of the year, with England topping their group in November to seal a place in next summer’s Finals in Portugal.
And England’s efforts and achievements on the pitch have been rewarded with honours off them, with the former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough player named as a Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, an honour granted to an individual for a major role in any activity such as business, charity or the public sector.
There was also an MBE for England captain Harry Kane, who came home from the World Cup with the Golden Boot following his six goals in the competition.
“I’m an incredibly proud Englishman so having had the opportunity to have represented my country as a player more than 50 times and then to manage the team at a World Cup has been an absolute privilege,” said Southgate, who was also named as Coach of the Year at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards earlier in December.
“I hope that everybody that has supported me throughout my career feels pride in the fact that I’ve received this honour because I wouldn’t be in this position without that help and guidance.”
Kane added: “It’s quite surreal, really. It’s been a great year for club and country. It’s hard to put into words really.
“I’m very passionate about our country, very patriotic and going back to England, it shows how good the summer was for the whole nation, not just from my point of view, but what it did bringing everyone together.
“I’m extremely proud to be a part of that and obviously thankful to all my team-mates, all my coaches at Tottenham, England, Mauricio (Pochettino), Gareth, all the staff, the guys as well – without them I wouldn’t be scoring the goals and getting these accolades.”
Also recognised in the 2019 list from the world of football were former Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore (CBE), former Arsenal vice chairman David Dein (MBE) and Keith Hardy (MBE), the long-serving chairman of grassroots club Wyrley Juniors.
Everyone at the FA would like to congratulate them all on their recognition.
