LONDON: Former Eng­land manager Gareth South­­gate has been knig­hted in the New Year Honours.

Southgate earned the award after a largely successful spell in charge of England from 2016 to 2024.

The 54-year-old led England to two consecutive European Cham­pionship finals, but came up short as they were beaten by Italy on penalties in 2021 and lost to Spain in this year’s showpiece.

England also reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals before losing to Croatia and were eliminated by France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.

Southgate, who quit shortly after the Euro 2024 final in July, becomes the fourth former England manager to receive a knighthood, following in the footsteps of 1966 World Cup winning handler Alf Ramsey, Walter Winterbottom and Bobby Robson.

“I’m deeply grateful for all the kind messages and comments I’ve received since the announcement of my knighthood,” he wrote on LinkedIn.

“A special thank you to my family for their constant love and encouragement, though I must admit they’ve made it clear that the titles I hold at home will remain unchanged.”

Meanwhile, Gerald Davies, the former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing who subsequently served as president of the Welsh Rugby Union, has also been knighted for services to his sport and for voluntary and charitable service in Wales.

Davies played for Wales between 1966 and 1978 in their golden era and won three Grand Slams.

He toured with the Lions in 1968 and 1971 making five appearances. The 1971 tour was both a personal and team highlight as it is the only time the Lions have beaten New Zealand in a series, and Davies scored all three of his Lions Test tries.

“I feel very emotional about it. I am surprised by it. Words are really quite inadequate to describe it,” Davies said.

Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

The 22-year-old’s triumph in Paris earlier this year made her just the third British woman to claim the Olympic 800 metres title after Ann Packer in 1964 and Kelly Holmes in 2004.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who won her first Olympic medal with heptathlon silver in Paris, and three-time medallist Dina Asher-Smith are also made MBEs.

Nine-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Alan Hansen, ex-Liverpool defender and long-time television pundit, has been given an MBE for services to football and broadcasting.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2025