Gareth Southgate might have missed that infamous penalty at Euro 96, but he has scored some serious respect as England’s manager! He’s a fashion icon, music lover, and a level-headed leader. Plus, he took the Three Lions to their best World Cup finish in decades! No wonder he’s got the whole country chanting ‘It’s Coming Home!’ Let’s hope he can keep leading the team to success – and maybe even bring back the trophy one day! Here are 12 facts about the manager!

1. He played defender and midfielder

Gareth is a footballer, not just a manager, so he really gets the game! He played in the 2000 and 2006 FA cups.

2. He wasn’t always into football

In school Gareth was very academic. When he played for Crystal Palace, his manager spotted him shaking hands with the opposition, and suggested he might be better off as a travel agent! Gareth didn’t go down that road, though!

3. His nickname was ‘Nord’

Gareth’s nickname was coined at Crystal Palace and it was to do with his Hush Puppy shoes – their mascot was an adorable Basset Hound, like this pup above – and the way he spoke. He reminded everyone of TV presenter Denis Norden (don’t worry if you have no idea who that is).

4. He famously missed a penalty

At the 1996 European Championships, Gareth was given the chance to take a penalty – but it was saved and England were knocked out. Oops! Apparently his mum had words after that, and he was even ribbed by a Buddhist monk for his miss. Despite the disappointment of Euro ’96, Southgate went on to have a successful career as a player, finished his playing career at Middlesbrough in 2006 and became their manager.

5. He was in a pizza advert

Gareth appeared in an ad for Pizza Hut alongside Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce. What do they have in common? They’ve all missed penalties for England!

6. He’s good at slipping song titles into interviews

At the 1998 World Cup players were apparently dared to slip song titles into their interviews. Gareth rose to the occasion magnificently, namedropping Club Tropicana and Careless Whisper by George Michael. Alan Shearer said that Gareth was better at naming songs than taking penalties!

7. He’s Aston Villa’s most capped England player

He played 57 internationals and 42 of them were with Villa! During his England career, he scored two goals, once against Luxembourg in a Euro 2000 qualifier, then in 2003 against South Africa in a friendly.

8. He played for Southampton as a kid

He played for two-and-a-half years before being released at age 13! He started his senior career at Crystal Palace in 1988, where he stayed for 7 years and played 152 games, scoring 15 times.

9. Gareth is a Virgo

He was born in Watford, England on September 3, 1970, which means he’s a Virgo. People born under this sign are said to have a sharp, analytical mind and enjoy solving problems and puzzles. Pretty handy if you’re an international football manager!

10. He’s England’s sharpest-dressed manager!

Southgate is known for his fashion sense, often wearing stylish suits and waistcoats on the sidelines during matches. While waistcoats are normally worn by snooker players, waiting staff and teachers, the England manager made them look extra awesome, especially when he was cheering an England goal.

11. Atomic Kitten reworked their lyrics for him

Atomic Kitten had some big hits in the 2000s, including Whole Again. England fans changed the lyrics of the song in honour of him, and later Atmoic Kitten re-released the song with the changed lyrics!

12. He’s inspired new parents to call their babies Gareth

In 2018, Southgate led England to the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. He became a national hero, and ‘Gareth’ became a popular name for newborn babies that year.