England celebrates Gareth Southgate as hero of World Cup

Tights, capes and masks are so last season. Heroes in 2018 wear Marks & Spencer waistcoats.

Gareth Southgate, now inseparable from his signature navy waistcoat, light-blue shirt and striped tie combination, has emerged as an understated paragon of civility at the 2018 World Cup.

From social media devotion to thinkpieces about positive masculinity, the England manager is enjoying a swell of support and adoration as he leads his squad closer to the trophy. Geoff Hurst, whose hat-trick against West Germany helped England win the 1966 World Cup, has likened Southgate to Sir Alf Ramsey, saying his leadership has “engendered a good team spirit”.

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As England’s campaign in Russia got underway, Southgate showed himself to be a reflective soul in an interview with ITV that encapsulated his world view.

Asked about whether supporters were “connecting” with the team, rather than offering platitudes, the manager started musing on modern English identity.

“We’re a team with our diversity and youth that represents modern England and in England we’ve spent a bit of time being lost as to what our modern identity is, and I think as a team we represent that modern identity and hopefully people can connect with us.”

He added: “We have a chance to affect something bigger than ourselves.”

The tournament has served as a platform for reminding both fans and non-fans of the sport the kindness and generosity Southgate has shown.

Social media is awash with memes, tweets and posts pouring praise on the 47-year-old, including a hashtag #GarethSouthgateWould.

Examples included Southgate writing personally to fans and devoting his time to young players.

Others suggested the support for Southgate reflected a desire for genuine role models.

Of course Southgate’s backstory gives his refreshed celebrity an edge. His saved penalty in the Euro 96 semi-final against Germany became one of English football’s most infamous moments.

After last week’s game against Colombia, Southgate offered a hug to Mateus Uribe, who missed his spot-kick against England.

And so the tributes continue to come in with Andrew Marr presenting his eponymous current affairs programme on BBC One in Sunday in a Southgate waistcoat and tie.

Other fans are following suit.

Neil Rowe, from Surrey, England, is enjoying a boom in popularity off the back of the England manager’s run of glory. Rowe’s a Southgate lookalike.

Rowe, who is in Russia, told the BBC: “Some fans here in Russia believe I am the real one. Some Colombians were having a go at me yesterday, saying well done to your team for beating us.”