Did you know with a Digital subscription to Yorkshire Post, you can get access to all of our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. The 54-year-old has been honoured for his services to football and becomes the fourth England boss to become a knight after Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson. Sir Gareth showed his leadership skills as a young player and was appointed captain of Crystal Palace at the age of 22.
Advertisement Advertisement He went on to play for Aston Villa and Middlesbrough , lifting the League Cup for both clubs, and was considered a composed centre-back having spent most of his early career in midfield. Sir Gareth won 57 caps for England between 1995 and 2004 and played at three major tournaments – Euro 1996, 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Remembered for missing the decisive spot kick in the Euro 1996 semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat to Germany, Southgate counted on his strong character to bounce back from Wembley heartbreak.
He led Middlesbrough to the UEFA Cup final in 2006 at the end of a 16-year senior playing career – and then succeeded England-bound manager Steve McClaren on Teesside. Advertisement Advertisement Boro finished 12th and 13th in the Premier League under Sir Gareth’s command before being relegated in May 2009. He was sacked the following October with Middlesbrough one point from top spot in the Championship , and joined the Football Association as head of elite .
