Former England boss Sir Gareth Southgate says he is “not missing” managing the Three Lions after stepping away from his role with the national team last summer.
Sir Gareth Southgate Knighted For Services to Football
Ex-England boss Sir Gareth Southgate has received a knighthood for his services to football.
Southgate, who led the Three Lions to two Euro finals in 2021 and 2024 but ultimately lost both, was at Windsor Castle to be awarded the honour by Prince William on Wednesday.
The former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender also led his nation to a World Cup semi-final in Russia back in 2018.
He follows Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson to become the fourth England manager to obtain the distinction.
Asked how he felt after being knighted, Southgate told the PA he was “more emotional than I thought I might be” and described the occasion as an “amazing honour”.
Sir Gareth Southgate has received a knighthood at Windsor Castle for his services to football 🚨 pic.twitter.com/eQXXcpt9Um
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 25, 2025
Sir Gareth Southgate “Not Missing” Managing England
Speaking to BBC Sport after receiving his knighthood, Southgate admitted that he doesn’t miss managing England.
“It is a little bit strange (watching the team), but also I’m not missing it,” he said.
“I think it’s important that I am on that sofa and out of their way, you know, it’s theirs to take on now, and I think it’s important that I give the team as much space as possible.”
The 54-year-old was then asked whether he missed certain aspects of the job.
“I think it’s hard to describe because until that weight’s gone, you don’t necessarily realise just on a day-to-day basis, you know, every hour of my day was thinking about how do I make England better, what’s happening with the players, how do we do things differently,” he responded.
“So I think any leader of big organisations, you’re constantly thinking about how to do your job as well as you can.”
Of course, Southgate was initially replaced by England U21 manager Lee Carsley, before former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel was appointed on a permanent basis.
The German has been critical of the former Three Lions manager since his arrival.
He claimed that Southgate’s England did not have a clear identity and “were more afraid to drop out” of Euro 2024 “than having the excitement and hunger to win it”.
Asked about Tuchel’s criticism, Southgate said: “I don’t think it’s important how I took it (Tuchel’s criticism) or what I think.
“I think what’s really important is for me to give the team, the manager, the space to operate. I think that’s the right thing to do.
“I’ve had an amazing experience leading my country, but it’s time for them to take it forward now, and I’ll be a fan at home supporting it.”
