As he steps down from his role as England manager, let’s take a look back at the top ten most memorable moments of his career.
1. Crystal Palace Captaincy and Promotion (1993-94)
Southgate’s leadership qualities were evident early in his career. At just 23, he captained Crystal Palace to the First Division title, earning promotion to the Premier League.
This achievement marked the beginning of Southgate’s rise in English football.
2. UEFA Euro 1996: The Penalty Miss
As a player, Southgate’s most infamous moment came during Euro 1996. His missed penalty in the semi-final shootout against Germany saw England crash out of the tournament.
Despite the heartbreak, Southgate’s resilience and subsequent media appearance in a Pizza Hut commercial showed his character and sense of humour.
3. League Cup Triumphs with Aston Villa and Middlesbrough
Southgate enjoyed success at club level, winning the League Cup with Aston Villa in 1996 and Middlesbrough in 2004. During those times, he was a trojan in defence and a leader per excellence.
4. Reaching the UEFA Cup Final with Middlesbrough (2006)
Southgate’s playing career peaked with Middlesbrough’s run to the 2006 UEFA Cup final.
Although they lost to Sevilla, Southgate’s role as captain was crucial in guiding the team to their first European final.
5. Appointed England Manager (2016)
After stints managing Middlesbrough and the England U-21 team, Southgate was appointed as England’s senior manager in 2016.
Taking over a team at a low ebb, his appointment marked the beginning of a transformative era for English football.
6. 2018 World Cup Semi-Final
Under Southgate’s leadership, England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, their first since 1990.
The tournament saw England break their penalty shootout curse, defeating Colombia in the round of 16. Southgate’s calm demeanor and tactical nous earned widespread praise.
7. The Waistcoat Revolution
During the 2018 World Cup, Southgate’s sartorial choice of a waistcoat became iconic.
Fans embraced the “Waistcoat Wednesday” trend, and Southgate’s image as a composed and stylish manager was cemented.
8. UEFA Euro 2020 Final
England’s run to the Euro 2020 final under Southgate was historic. The team defeated Germany in the knockout stages for the first time since 1966 and reached their first European Championship final.
Although they lost to Italy on penalties, Southgate’s tactical acumen and leadership were lauded.
9. 2022 World Cup Quarter-Finals
Despite falling to France in the quarter-finals, Southgate’s England received applause for their displays at the 2022 World Cup.
England won their group ahead of Wales, Iran, and the United States before the Three Lions posted their best performance at the tournament, a memorable 3-0 victory over African champions Senegal in the round of 16.
10. Euro 2024 Final and Resignation
Southgate led England to the Euro 2024 final, where they narrowly lost to Spain. His decision to step down following the tournament marked the end of an era.
Southgate’s tenure saw England consistently reach the latter stages of major tournaments, a significant improvement from previous decades.