SPOTY success for Three Lions

 

It was a calendar year which saw Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions reach the UEFA EURO 2020 Final - their first major international final appearance since 1966 - and also secure qualification for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

 

And even though they missed out on the EURO title after a penalty shootout defeat to Italy, those performances saw England named as the 2021 team of the year with the award collected on behalf of the squad by Southgate and his assistant manager Steve Holland.

 

Immediately after that, Southgate was presented with the coach of the year title to cap off what has been an unforgettable 12 months for English football.

 

“I think what appealed to people was this team, from the youngest to the oldest from those who played every minute to those who didn’t play any minutes, they really pulled together this summer,” said Southgate after collecting the award.

“I think they represented the country brilliantly, on and off the pitch.”

 

In addition to that, Three Lions forward Raheem Sterling was a nominee for the main award, which was eventually won by tennis star Emma Raducanu.

 

There was also a top-three spot in the young personality of the year award for Jude Bellingham. The midfielder, who broke into Birmingham City’s first-team at the age of 16 before moving to German team Borussia Dortmund, was called into the squad last season and was a part of the EURO 2020 group this summer. 

Last week, England were drawn out alongside Germany, Italy and Hungary in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League draw, with