England football manager Gareth Southgate received the OBE award at Buckingham Palace on Thursday after steering the national team to the World Cup semifinals in Russia last Summer. Southgate, 48, dressed in his trademark waistcoat, was presented the award for services to football by Prince Charles after he was included in Queen Elizabeth's 2019 New Year's honors list. "It's very special," he told Sky Sports TV after the ceremony. "It's a privilege to be the English manager and to receive an award from the royal family — as a proud royal fan, that was very special. It's a moment that will live with me for ever." Last month, team captain Harry Kane received the MBE award. He was top scorer with six goals in Russia but the team was knocked out after a 2-1 loss to Croatia in the semi-finals. Southgate's OBE came as England climbed one place to fourth in FIFA's latest world rankings after Euro 2020 qualifying victories over the Czech Republic and Montenegro. England ready to win Euro 2020, says De Bruyne The emergence of promising teenagers like Phil Foden and Callum Hudson-Odoi to compliment England's established squad make them favorites, alongside France, to win next year's European Championship, Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne has said. Manchester City academy graduate Foden made his first Premier League start alongside De Bruyne on Wednesday, while winger Hudson-Odoi was given a full league debut for Chelsea, and the Belgian has been impressed with England's young talent. "I told the England guys a week ago that you should win the Euros," De Bruyne told British media. "I think they are favourites, with France. I see the guys already established, and those coming up, so the future looks really good." While Hudson-Odoi has made his England debut, featuring against the Czech Republic and Montenegro last month, Foden has yet to receive a call-up and De Bruyne sees no reason for England manager Southgate to rush the 18-year-old into the international set-up. "Give him time," he said. "It's not because you play some games, and start a game, that you have to go into the national team ... If Phil progresses well, he has a chance to go to the Euros next year. He will play enough games for England." — Agencies
