England's coach who advanced to the Euro 2024 final as if he were to be called a knight
Jul 11, 2024
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Until the Euro 2024 group stage, Southgate was 'curse'. When he passed first place in Group C with a below-expected performance in the group stage, former British soccer stars and enthusiastic fans criticized him, saying he played 'obsessed soccer' without a clear change in tactics. However, the surrounding public opinion changed rapidly with a dramatic 2-1 come-from-behind victory against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of this tournament. It is a great achievement to advance to the final in a row following the runner-up finish at Euro 2020.
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The media also praised the England team's most successful coach since the late Sir Alf Ramsey, who led the only men's major championship at the time at the 1966 World Cup in England.
Media say that he, who took the helm of England eight years ago, reached the semifinals for the first time since 1990 at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, advanced to the Euro 2020 finals, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and that his performance in the semifinals or higher is enough to be promoted to 'Sir'.
According to local media, the British government's latest practice awards only coaches, captains, and very few players if they win major competitions in popular soccer, rugby, and cricket. In the early 2000s, when concerns were raised that too many awards were awarded, the scale of awards was reduced.
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Rumours of Southgate's knighthood were also in 2021. At the time, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that he would give him a knighthood for advancing to the Euro 2020 final, but it fizzled out amid some opposition. In 2019, the British government awarded Southgate the 'OBE' for the first time in 28 years that he led to the semifinals at the World Cup in Russia.
The Order of the British Empire is divided into five levels, from the highest grade 'Great Cross Knight (GBE)' to the second grade ' Commander Knight (KBE)', the third grade ' Commander (CBE)', the fourth grade 'OBE'Official Officer (OBE)' and the fifth grade 'Unit (MBE)'. Among them, Grade 1 and Grade 2 are used as knighthoods, and men are allowed to honor 'Sir' and women are allowed to honor 'Dame'.
cms@sportschosun.com
