After graduating from Hazelwick School in Crawley, West Sussex, Gareth Southgate considered a career in journalism. However, the son of Clive and Barbara Southgate never imagined he would become a football celebrity, let alone manage the England men’s national football team. Gareth Southgate’s journey showcases how a ‘posh’ boy with aspirations in journalism overcame teasing about his nose and went on to have a successful playing career, captaining Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Middlesbrough in the Premier League.
His personal life is equally noteworthy, marked by his beloved marriage to Alison Southgate in 1997 and his encounters with tough players like Roy Keane during his career. Southgate achieved historic success, culminating in being awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire by the British Government in 2019. Now, let’s dive into Gareth Southgate’s life story.
Gareth Southgate: From Aspiring Journalist to England’s Football Boss
Explore the life of Gareth Southgate, affectionately known as “Nord,” through his childhood and untold biography. This comprehensive account covers significant events from his early years to the present day.
The analysis of Gareth Southgate’s Biography involves his life story before fame, family life, parents, wife (Alison), lifestyle, personal life, net worth, and many off-pitch facts about him.
Yes, everyone knows about his managerial role in England, but few consider Gareth Southgate’s Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s Beg in.
Gareth Southgate Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, Gareth Southgate was born on the 3rd day of September 1970 in Watford, United Kingdom. He was born to his mother, Barbara Southgate, and his father, Clive Southgate.
The making of Gareth Southgate denotes how a ‘posh’ boy who fancied a career in journalism survived jokes about his nose to make it all the way to manage his country’s men’s football team.
As a child, Southgate attended Hazelwick School in Crawley, West Sussex and further went on to pass nine O-Levels.
Gareth Southgate Biography – Playing Career Story:
As brilliant as he was, Gareth was able to combine academics and sports as he enrolled for Crystal Palace Academy.
While there, he played initially at right-back and then in central midfield. He is positioned (back, from the left) in a photo of his local Under 12 side holding aloft his latest trophy.
Balancing Brilliance: Pictured (back, from the left) with his U12 team, proudly hoisting their latest trophy.
Southgate was unfazed in his early days at Palace. He got on with his football, showing an impressive work ethic.
It was far from certain that he would make it into the professional ranks, as there were
more talented youngsters at the club.
However, Southgate progressed through the age groups, captaining virtually every Palace youth side he represented.
It is pertinent to note that still at Palace, Southgate was a joker. He was largely known for his ability to organise pub stop-offs and card schools on away trips while being mocked over the size of his nose.
Southgate was unsure at first if his future lay in football. He spent time in the Croydon 2
Advertiser offices on work experience when he was 16, planning to become a journalist if he did not make it in the professional game.
One of the reasons for this was discrimination from his teammates and fans, who constantly made a mockery of his nose.
Despite that, he remained very well-mannered and polite. Gareth took the best option for survival/doggedness by fueling up his off-field jokes and remaining the best joker in the club.
Young Gareth was very lively those days. He once contemplated a career in journalism and faced discrimination and jests about his appearance. Instead of succumbing, he channelled wit and humour, becoming the club’s enduring jester.
Thanks to his great personality, Southgate achieved a rise in football. He, a great Leader, carved out a great career as he captained Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough in the Premier League.
He made 57 caps for England and later became The manager of the Three Lions. The rest, as they say, is now history.
Gareth Southgate’s Wife — Alison:
Behind the successful English manager exists a glamorous woman. On the 22nd of June 2007, Gareth Southgate married his bride Alison at the Parish Church of St Nicholas, Worth, Crawley.
A wedding photo of Gareth Southgate and Alison.
At the time of writing this Bio, the couple has two children: a daughter, Mia and a son, Flynn. Southgate spends a lot of time with his family, which he says makes him feel relaxed.
The Football Manager is someone who does not really mix with football people away from work and keeps a small circle of friends.
Personal Life:
Gareth Southgate has the following attributes in his personality
Strengths: Loyal, analytical, kind, hard-working and very practical.
Southgate’s Weaknesses: He is often Shy. More so, he gets worried unnecessarily and can be overly critical of himself and others. Finally, he could focus on his England job all day and have no time to play.
What Gareth Southgate likes: He loves animals, healthy food, books, nature and cleanliness.
Gareth Southgate dislikes: Rudeness, occasionally asking for help, and taking centre
stage.
In summary, Gareth Southgate is someone who will always pay attention to the smallest detail. His deep sense of humanity has made him to be a very caring person. He has a methodical approach to life, which ensures that nothing is left to chance.
Southgate has a tender heart that can make it get close to the outer world, and he is only open to his wife Alison and children (Mia and Flynn), whom he loves with all his heart.
Gareth Southgate Family Life:
First things first, Gareth Southgate comes from a middle-class background, but in football, he had a really hard upbringing. Below is a photo of his lovely parents.
Let’s introduce you to Gareth Southgate’s parents are the pillars of his strength.
Gareth Southgate Untold Biography Facts – Mixing with Hard Men:
Southgate’s experiences helped him mix it with football’s hard men, most memorably in a 1995 FA Cup tie at Villa Park.
Steel Meets Skill: Southgate’s journey led him to stand toe-to-toe with football’s titans, a defining moment evident in the 1995 FA Cup showdown at Villa Park.
When Roy Keane was asked why he stamped Southgate on his chest, he replied…
‘He tried to break my leg in a semi-final game’
Keane said while recalling a game in which he was sent off for stamping on Southgate.
Again, during Southgate’s career, he had constant issues with Ian Wright, which oftentimes resulted in a brawl between the two.
Gareth Southgate Bio — Early Managerial Life:
Southgate began his football managerial career at English club, Middlesbrough in June 2006, taking over after Steve McClaren departed to manage the England national team.
His appointment sparked controversy because he lacked the necessary UEFA Pro License, a qualification required to manage a top-flight club.
However, he was allowed to stay on as manager by the Premier League in November 2006.
In their defence, Middlesbrough successfully argued that because Southgate had recently been an international player, he had no opportunity to undertake the coaching courses.
He did go on to complete his coaching qualifications. Unfortunately, at that time, Gareth Southgate’s team suffered relegation.
On 20 October 2009, shortly after a 2—0 victory over Derby County, Southgate was dismissed as a manager with Middlesbrough in fourth place in the Championship.
The dismissal was controversial as he had taken Boro to within one point of the top position.
Gibson said he had made the decision to sack Southgate weeks earlier in the best interests of the club. Many Boro fans revealed Gibson just didn’t like him.
Fact Check:
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