HARRY Kane could get a knighthood alongside Gareth Southgate if England win Euro 2020.
The England skipper, who netted the winner against Denmark in the semifinal, could be rewarded if the Three Lions win their first final in 55 years.
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Ministers are scrambling to find ways to mark the Three Lions’ achievement should they triumph against Italy on Sunday night.
The captain has been pivotal to the team’s success in the knockout round of Euro 2020, bagging crucial goals against Germany and Ukraine.
And it was England’s talisman Kane who netted the winner in Extra Time against Denmark – sending Wembley and the nation into dreamland.
Kane already has an MBE and is certain to be rewarded if he leads England to victory – even if it is not ultimately a knighthood.
A government source told The Times that officials were in “uncharted territory” in their approach to how to recognise the team’s success.
Former England rugby manager Clive Woodward received a knighthood after his team won the World Cup in 2003 – though the squad was given lesser honours.
Other England football legends have had to wait years for a knighthood, including the World Cup-winning 1966 team.
Bobby Moore, the captain, was appointed OBE but never received a knighthood before his death in 1993.
Meanwhile only two of the ’66 starting line-up received knighthoods. Sir Bobby Charlton received his in 1994, while Geoff Hurst, who bagged a hat-trick in the final against West Germany, was not knighted until 1998.
The Sun reported yesterday how gaffer Gareth Southgate, who was appointed OBE in 2019 after England’s legendary World Cup run the year before, could also be knighted.
Southgate would become just the third Three Lions manager to be knighted after Sir Alf Ramsey in 1967 and Sir Bobby Robson in 2002.
He said: “If we win, surely that knighthood is nailed on!
“Gareth will have made history and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”
Meanwhile, bosses have been urged to let staff start late on Monday after the clash – as millions of employees face a rough morning at work after boozy celebrations.
The TUC, which represents most trade unions in the UK, has today urged firms to discuss flexible working arrangements with employees – with millions likely to call in sick if England win.
Downing Street said employers who are able to should be flexible about allowing staff to go into work late on Monday or take the day off if England triumph in the final.
The PM’s official spokesman said: “We would want businesses who feel able to consider it if they can, but we recognise it will vary depending on the business and company.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
