Sir Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate is the former England men's senior team Head Coach, overseeing a period of unprecedented success on the field, and seismic change off it, in the 8 years of his tenure from 2016 to 2024 During his spell as the Three Lions boss, the England team achieved back to back UEFA European Championships finals, as well as reaching the Quarter and Semi Finals of successive FIFA World Cups. In doing so he holds the record for winning more major tournament games than any other England Manager in history. He has also represented England in more games than any Englishman in history, with 102 as Manager (only the 3rd Manager to exceed 100), 57 as a player and 37 as the men’s U21 Head Coach, spanning a total of 196 games. He is a former winning Club Captain with a distinguished playing career spanning over 500 games for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, where he was appointment Manager in 2006, the youngest in the history of the Premier League at the time. Southgate’s unparalleled leadership qualities were put to use when he took over England after one of the worst periods in the National teams history after they were eliminated in the round of 16 at Euro 2016 by Iceland to ridicule and derision. Southgate oversaw a complete rebuild of the identity, culture, professionalism, behaviour, teamwork and ethos of the team, generating pride and joy in playing for England with a teamwork, humility and resolve that built trust with the media and connected the team to millions of fans. In doing so he turned the Head Coach role from a poisoned chalice to a source of opportunity and pride, making the often regarded “impossible job” possible. Despite his achievements on the field, however, it was his leadership off the field, during a period of global change and political turmoil, that won him the biggest accolades. He became an articulate spokesperson and figurehead for the country during the Covid 19 pandemic, Brexit, and a global debate on racial and gender inequality. His dignified, intelligent, and authentic response as a spokesperson for players, fans and the country as a whole, was universally applauded. He became a source of National pride and an international ambassador for the country wherever he travelled. Many regarded his position as second only to that of the Prime Minister in terms of profile and influence. His decision to stand down after Euro 24 lead to a wave of gratitude from fans, the media, global stakeholders and players as well as world famous figures from politics, business, academia, religion and entertainment. Gareth is a world class public speaker on leadership and service, building culture and resilience, team ship, change management and many other facets of high performance. He has countless lessons on optimising decision making, building belief, managing pressure, developing talent and staying true to your purpose. Away from football, Gareth is an international ambassador for the Kings Trust, military charity Help4 Heroes, and his local children’s hospice Martins House, raising many £millions for these and many others. His role with England and cultural importance to the country inspired the award- winning and sell out West End play “Dear England”, the title of which was taken from an open letter he wrote to England fans during the Covid-19 pandemic. By critical acclaim and popular demand it is returning to the West End in 2025, and has been adapted by the BBC into a screen play which will also be aired in 2025. He is a best selling author of his first children’s book “Anything is Possible” (all proceeds of which he donated to charity) and his new book “Dear England: Lessons on Leadership” will be published on 6 November 2025, with a documentary charting his journey scheduled for 2026. Gareth has won BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year twice and has been awarded an OBE for his services to football, as well as receiving the ultimate accolade in the 2024 New Years Hour List where he was knighted for his unifying service to his country.

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