Sir Gareth Southgate?! Ex-England boss to be knighted despite failing to end Three Lions’ 58-year wait for international trophy

Southgate called time on his eight-year stint as England boss earlier this year after the Three Lions' loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin. He failed to end a 58-year wait for international glory with England's men's national team. Regardless, the 54-year-old became the Three Lions' most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey, who won the World Cup in 1966.

As per The Sun, Southgate is now set to receive recognition for his time with the England national team and will be knighted for his services to sport. The former defender took over as the head coach of the Three Lions in 2016 in tough conditions after Sam Allardyce’s resignation, but managed to turn the situation around and led the national team to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup before making it to the final of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

Southgate was cleared of any wrongdoing in his tax affairs in October after he put money into a controversial film investment scheme. As per The Sun's report, approval letters have now been sent out by the Honours Committee. The 54-year-old will become the third England manager to receive a knighthood, following Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey.

The former England boss had been heavily linked with a stint at Manchester United earlier this season, after the Red Devils' poor start under Erik ten Hag. However, Southgate announced his plans to remain away from coaching at least until the end of the current season.