The knight manager

HE led the Lions with pride, almost ending all those years of hurt - and now Gareth Southgate will be rewarded with a knighthood.

- ASHLEY COWBURN

Ex-boss led 3 Lions to final | Comic great Stephen on list | Happy Valley & Corrie star is CBE

The former England coach, who stepped down from the job after defeat to Spain in July's Euro 2024 final, is among 1,200 people named today in the King's New Year Honours List.

Gareth, 54, led the national side to back-to-back Euros finals during his eight years in charge the only coach to take the men's team to more than one tournament final.

As well as his squad's on-field achievements, which came with the help of global stars such as Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, Gareth has long been praised for his measured off-field persona.

He stood by Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho when they suffered racist abuse after their penalty misses proved decisive in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, and often spoke of sport's power to heal divisions in society.

UNITE

He said during the 2018 World Cup: "Our country has been through some difficult moments recently but sport can unite." Gareth has also been recognised for his work with the Prince's Trust charity.