Former England men’s senior manager Gareth Southgate joins a number of people from football who have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List for 2025.
After leading the Three Lions to four major tournaments and overseeing two EURO Finals and a World Cup semi-final appearance, Southgate has been awarded a Knighthood having previously been made an OBE in 2019.
Sir Gareth left his position as Three Lions boss after almost eight years in charge earlier this year, following the UEFA EURO 2024 Final against Spain with a record of 102 games in charge with 61 wins, 24 draws and 17 defeats. This comes on top of his 57 caps and two goals for England as a player and 37 games in charge of England men’s under-21s prior to his appointment as senior team manager.
FA Chair Debbie Hewitt MBE said: “On behalf of us all at the Football Association, I congratulate Sir Gareth on this richly-deserved honour. Throughout his career in the game as a player, coach and change-maker, he has embodied the best of English football.
“One of our greatest ever managers, Sir Gareth’s remarkable coaching achievements across four major tournaments include two successive EURO finals, equalling our best-ever men’s World Cup performance away from home and being ranked in the world’s top five for more than five years.
“Off the field, he brought our fans closer than ever to the team, stood up for what he believed in and inspired players to share his pride in representing England. It has been a privilege to know the man and the manager. All of us who have experienced his thoughtfulness, dedication and leadership are delighted with this wonderful news.
"We would also like to congratulate the other members of the football family that have been recognised and rewarded in the New Year Honours List. This includes David Moyes, Alan Hansen, John Nixon, Dawn Astle, Penny Watson, Ronald Westerman, Michael Alden, Rachel Davies, Michael Perrin and Ian Walker."
As Hewitt alludes to, there is also an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) award for both Dawn Astle, daughter of former player Jeff Astle, and Penelope Watson, wife of former England captain Dave Watson, for their services to dementia care in football.
Elsewhere on the list, former West Ham, Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes receives an OBE for services to association football, while former Liverpool and Scotland captain and broadcaster Alan Hansen has been awarded an MBE for his services to association football and broadcasting.
John Nixon, former Trust Chair of the English Football League, received an MBE for services to association football while there was also recognition for a number of grassroots football volunteers in the List, with an MBE for Ronald Westerman, founder of the Midlincs County Youth Football League, for his services to sport.
And there are British Empire Medals (BEM) for Michael Alden (football coach and manager of Park Knowle Football Club) and Michael Perrin (president, Melksham Town Football Club) for services to grassroots football and to the community in Bristol and Melksham respectively.
Rachel Davies (coach and volunteer, Altrincham Football Club) and Ian Walker (secretary, Rotherham Community Football Club) are also awarded BEMs for services to sport and their local community.
