Gareth Southgate is the man who transformed England’s national football team from perennial underachievers to consistent tournament contenders. Born in Watford on 3 September 1970, he first made his name as a dependable defender for Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace, earning 57 caps for his country. After retiring as a player in 2006, he moved into management, eventually taking the helm of the England senior team in November 2016. His eight-year tenure, which ended with his resignation on 16 July 2024, produced two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final – making him the most successful England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.
Southgate’s calm, analytical approach and emphasis on team culture changed the mood around the national side. Yet despite the on-field progress, questions about his personal life, finances and future remain among the most searched topics online. This article provides a clear, fact-based overview of Gareth Southgate’s age, height, net worth, wife, coaching career and England record.
Who is Gareth Southgate? (Age, Height, and Personal Background)
Age
55 (born 3 September 1970)
Height
6 ft (183 cm)
Current Job
Not currently managing a team (resigned July 2024)
Net Worth
Not officially published; BBC reported a £2 m per year salary in 2016
- Southgate is the most successful England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey in terms of tournament performance.
- He managed England for 102 senior matches – a national record for a men’s team manager.
- His net worth is a high‑interest query but is not addressed in any official or authoritative profile.
- He is married to Alison Southgate (née Bird) and has two children.
- He played for three clubs across more than 500 league appearances and earned 57 England caps.
- His first senior managerial role was at Middlesbrough (2006–2009).
- He was appointed England manager in November 2016 after a brief interim spell.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sir Gareth Southgate |
| Date of Birth | 3 September 1970 |
| Age | 55 (as listed in England Football’s current profile) |
| Height | 6 ft / 183 cm |
| Spouse | Alison Bird (married July 1997) |
| Children | Two |
| Birthplace | Watford, England |
| Role | Former player and football manager |
| Playing Career | Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough |
| England Caps (Player) | 57 |
| Senior England Matches Managed | 102 (national record) |
| Total England Games (Player + Coach) | 196 |
What is Gareth Southgate’s Net Worth?
Exactly how much Gareth Southgate is worth is not something that appears in any official or authoritative source. The Football Association does not publish the personal finances of its employees, and Southgate himself has never disclosed a net worth figure.
When he was appointed permanent England manager in 2016, the BBC reported that his contract was “reportedly worth up to £2 m a year”. That figure should be treated as an estimate from the time, not a verified total salary for his entire tenure. No reliable information about endorsement income, property holdings or other assets is available from the sources used in this article.
Many websites circulate net worth estimates for Gareth Southgate, typically ranging from £10 million to £20 million. These figures are not backed by any official or verifiable source. Readers should treat them as guesswork.
Who is Gareth Southgate’s Wife?
Gareth Southgate married Alison Bird in July 1997. The couple have two children together. Alison is known to keep a low profile and rarely appears in the media. Her name is sometimes given as Alison Southgate or Alison Birdsall depending on the source.
The marriage has remained stable throughout Southgate’s playing and managerial career, and the family has largely stayed out of the public eye. No further details about Alison’s professional background or personal life are available in the verified sources used for this article.
What is Gareth Southgate’s Job and Which Teams Has He Coached?
Current role
As of 2025, Gareth Southgate is not employed as a manager. He resigned as England manager on 16 July 2024, the day after England lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain. No new role has been announced since then.
Managerial career timeline
- 2006–2009: Middlesbrough manager – his first senior managerial job.
- 2011: Joined the Football Association as head of elite development.
- 2013–2016: England Under‑21 head coach.
- 2016–2024: England senior team manager (appointed permanently in November 2016).
- July 2024: Resigned after Euro 2024 final defeat.
Southgate is the only England manager to have taken the men’s senior team to two major tournament finals (Euro 2020 and Euro 2024) and a World Cup semi‑final within the same eight‑year period.
What is Gareth Southgate’s Record as England Manager?
Southgate managed England in 102 senior matches – more than any other England men’s manager. Under his leadership, the team reached the semi‑final of the 2018 World Cup, the final of Euro 2020, the quarter‑final of the 2022 World Cup, and the final of Euro 2024.
His overall record produced a win percentage that places him among the most successful England managers by tournament progress. Critics have pointed to a sometimes cautious style, but the consistent deep runs in major tournaments represent a significant improvement over the decades before his appointment.
Gareth Southgate Career Timeline
- 1970: Born in Watford, England.
- 1990–2006: Professional playing career (Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough).
- 1995–2004: England international (57 caps).
- 2006–2009: Manager of Middlesbrough.
- 2013–2016: England U21 manager.
- November 2016: Appointed England senior manager (interim then permanent).
- 2018: World Cup semi‑final (Russia).
- 2021 (played 2020): Euro 2020 final (lost on penalties).
- 2022: World Cup quarter‑final (lost to France).
- 2024: Euro 2024 final (lost to Spain).
- 16 July 2024: Resigned as England manager.
What is Certain and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: 3 September 1970 | Exact net worth – not officially published |
| Height: 6 ft (183 cm) | Current salary after 2016 – not publicly disclosed |
| Spouse: Alison Bird (married 1997) | Future job after Euro 2024 – no announcement made |
| England caps as player: 57 | Endorsement income – not disclosed |
| England matches managed: 102 | – |
| Tournament results: 2018 semi‑final, 2020 final, 2022 quarter‑final, 2024 final | – |
What is the Broader Context of Southgate’s Tenure?
Gareth Southgate’s eight years in charge reshaped the identity of the England men’s national team. He prioritised a young, progressive squad and a strong team culture, moving away from the “golden generation” era that had often underperformed in tournaments.
Supporters praise his man‑management and the consistent tournament progress. Critics point to a sometimes cautious playing style, especially in knockout matches where England often took an early lead and then defended deep. Regardless of the perspective, his record of over 100 matches and back‑to‑back European finals places him among the most significant figures in recent English football history.
Sources and Key Quotes
“Gareth Southgate was appointed as England manager in November 2016…”
— The FA official profile
“Sir Gareth Southgate (born 3 September 1970) is an English former professional football manager and player…”
— Wikipedia
“Gareth Southgate holds the record as the man who has represented England in more games than anyone else…”
— EnglandFootball.com
Summary
Gareth Southgate is a former England international defender who became the most successful England manager in decades. He led the team to four major tournament knockout stages, including two European finals. His personal details – age 55, height 6 ft, married to Alison since 1997 – are well documented. His net worth is not officially confirmed, and his current job status is open after his resignation in July 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Gareth Southgate?
Gareth Southgate is 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) tall.
Is Gareth Southgate still England manager?
No. He resigned on 16 July 2024 after the Euro 2024 final defeat.
What is Gareth Southgate’s net worth?
No official figure exists. In 2016 the BBC reported his contract was “reportedly worth up to £2 m a year”.
Who is Gareth Southgate’s wife?
Gareth Southgate is married to Alison Bird (Alison Southgate). They married in 1997 and have two children.
What teams has Gareth Southgate coached?
He has managed Middlesbrough (2006–2009), England U21 (2013–2016) and the England senior team (2016–2024).
How old is Gareth Southgate?
He was born on 3 September 1970, making him 55 years old.
How many England caps did Gareth Southgate win as a player?
He earned 57 caps for England during his playing career.
What is Gareth Southgate’s record as England manager?
He managed 102 matches, reaching the 2018 World Cup semi‑final, Euro 2020 final, 2022 World Cup quarter‑final, and Euro 2024 final.
Did Gareth Southgate win any trophies as England manager?
No. England reached the final of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 but lost both on penalties.
What is Gareth Southgate’s current job?
As of 2025, he is not managing any team. He resigned from the England role in July 2024.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.