GARETH SOUTHGATE posed with his wife Alison as he was inducted into the Legends of Football hall of fame.
But the England boss is hoping this is not the end of his silverware in 2022.
Southgate, 52, has endured a tricky year as Three Lions manager after the Nations League struggles but takes his country to Qatar next month hoping to go one better than the Euros last year.
England famously reached the Euro 2020 final, losing on penalties to Italy, and were knocked out in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
He joins an illustrious list of football icons including Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Alex Ferguson, Pele and Arsene Wenger – as well as Premier League heroes Eric Cantona, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Southgate, who took over from Sam Allardyce six years ago, told Sky Sports News: “The England part of my journey in particular, as a player and a manager, has probably been the greatest highlight and the greatest honour for me.
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“I am hoping this isn’t the end of it, I am hoping there are still a few more years ahead. I feel I have got a lot of improving to do.
“I feel there is a lot in the next couple of months we want to achieve for a start and beyond that, I’m assuming life is going to continue and there’s lots of challenges ahead.”
Southgate was inducted alongside recently-retired England striker Ellen White.
White, 33, helped the Lionesses win their first-ever major trophy on home soil this summer and hung up her boots after becoming her nation’s top goalscorer on 52 goals.
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The ex-Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City forward said: “2022 has been a phenomenal year already, to achieve what we did at Wembley and to see the nation get behind us is truly unforgettable.”
England manager coach Sarina Wiegman added: “I’m thrilled that Ellen’s contribution to football has been recognised by the Legends of Football committee.
“Her professionalism and achievements in the game cannot be understated.
“She’s a deserving winner of this award.”
The Legends of Football awards ceremony raised money for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins.
The new hall of famers were presented with their awards by Laura Woods and Geoff Shreeves at the Grosvenor House in London on Monday night.
James Maddison, though, will be hoping the England boss caught up with the highlights from Leicester’s 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
The one-cap midfielder scored two and grabbed an assist in another stellar performance which has many fans and pundits calling for his inclusion in the World Cup squad.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
