Sir Gareth Southgate has been named the 2025 recipient of the PFA Merit Award, recognising his contributions to football and achievements with the England men’s national team.
Appointed England manager in November 2016, Southgate ended his tenure as one of the most successful managers in the nation’s history.
One of only three managers to take charge of 100 matches, he led the Three Lions to four back-to-back major tournaments, including the finals of EURO 2020 and EURO 2024.
Before stepping up to the senior side, Southgate played a pivotal role in developing future stars as manager of England U21s. He is widely credited with breathing new life into the national team by integrating a new generation of young talent. Over his tenure, he handed debuts to 42 players - nearly double that of any other England manager.
This passion for developing young talent extended right across England’s youth set ups, and his influence has helped strengthen the nation’s grassroots pipeline.
He has overseen a period of unrivalled achievement by the men’s national team, and has been an outstanding ambassador for the game – forging genuine connection between the country, the supporters, and the players.
Sir Gareth Southgate joins Emma Hayes OBE as a deserving 2025 PFA Merit Award winner.
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