Forget Beckham, here’s proof that Southgate has always been the top fashion icon

IF there is one thing footie boss Gareth Southgate does well besides managing the England team, it is being a dapper gaffer.

He caused waistcoat sales to soar as he led the Three Lions to the World Cup semis in Russia in 2018, then sported a sharp suit and tie for Euro 2020 when England made the final at Wembley.

But the unlikely style icon has since opted for more relaxed polo shirts and cardies, “to put players at ease”.

Gareth, 53, told GQ mag: “When you’re working with young lads, you don’t want to be too stiff in what you’re doing or wearing.”

Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale takes a look at Gareth’s gear over the years as player then manager . . . 

1995

CELEBRATING in his playing days with a Union Jack flag after his first England call-up in 1995, the then clean-shaven 25-year-old Gareth is in full Nineties clobber.

The Aston Villa star was on trend for the time with a Calvin Klein jumper tucked into jeans, worn with a belt.

With the average age of today’s England squad about the age he was here, the lads would be curious to check out the cut of his jib.

1996

TO be fair, there’s no points for fashion flair at the training ground – and Gareth looks more on the ball with his footie than his appearance.

Back in the day, the Villa hotshot might just have got away with that white sweatshirt by Japanese sportswear brand Mizuno.

But he teamed it with three-quarter-length tracksuit bottoms with natty side zips.

Maybe best we don’t get too good a look at them here.

2006

STARTING his managerial career at Middlesborough, after seeing out his playing career there, Gareth is working hard to look the part.

But whatever his skills as an aspiring leader of men, at age 35 he is not bossing things sartorially.

He is hardly playing a blinder with the roomy suit, stripey tie and checked blue shirt, although the whistle and flute do sort of match his hair.

Time to raise his game.

2014

NOW managing the England Under-21s, and into his forties, our man has a sharper, short haircut and is finally getting somewhere style-wise.

The all-blue get-up, with brown belt, is nothing too offensive yet not the most trendy.

He was clearly expecting a spot of rain, but the duffle coat on his arm does stray into “dad on a day out with the kids” territory.

2018

GRACING the big stage at the World Cup with a newly suave vibe, this is a total transformation.

Our boys suffered semi-final heartbreak in a defeat to Croatia but it took nothing away from the gaffer’s suit.

His Marks & Spencer three-piece catapulted him into the hall of football fashion fame.

Waistcoat sales and online memes went wild, as brands copied the look.

Some hailed it as the male corset, framing a fella’s body.

2021

THREE years on from that wondrous waistcoat and Gareth still looks sharp.

But he’s done away with the three-piece suit, to keep it simple and not draw too much attention to himself – maybe a lesson learned?

The navy suit and pocket square are jazzed up by a polka-dot tie, which was dubbed lucky by some until we lost in the delayed Euros final to Italy.

Quite the sophisticate on the side-line is our Gareth.

2022

WHILE Southgate has said this year he is all about thin knits, it seems he has already been wearing the look for two years.

Debuting a knitted polo back in 2022 for the World Cup, the £39.50 Merino wool blend zip neck was once again an instant hit with fans.

And it seems the 2018 waistcoats may never see the light of day again after he told BBC Radio 4 that he hasn’t worn one sinc

2024

THIS year as England boss Gareth might be trying to fly under the radar with his outfits, but it seems to be having the opposite effect.

Posing for GQ mag in a posh cream cashmere cardy, the 53-year-old looks more dapper than ever.

Showing cardigans don’t just have to be for the older generation, let’s see if his new laid-back attitude for a younger England squad stands us in good stead for the Euros next month.