Gareth Southgate 'still likely to be knighted despite England defeat'

Gareth Southgate is still likely to receive a knighthood even though England lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, according to a report.

The Three Lions were beaten 3-2 on penalties by the Azzurri at Wembley, prolonging their 55-year wait for a major trophy.

Southgate already has an OBE, which he received after guiding England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018, but according to I, the 50-year-old is set to be honoured along with captain Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and other members of the 26-man squad.

Following the dismissal of Sam Allardyce in 2016, Southgate made the step up from managing the England Under-21s, and has since guided the nation to two semi-finals at the World Cup and in the UEFA Nations League, as well as last weekend's final at the Euros.

Southgate – who previously managed Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009 – has an impressive 63.9% win ratio with the Three Lions, winning 41 of his 61 games at the helm.

The Watford-born coach has won many admirer during this summer's Euros and he now intends to lead England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.