Gareth Southgate's tenure as England manager is set to be immortalised in a new BBC drama, Dear England, which begins on Sunday. The four-part series, based on James Graham's award-winning play, delves into the successes and challenges of Southgate's eight-year reign. As the Three Lions prepare for their first major tournament since his departure, here is a detailed look at Southgate's net worth, his substantial England salary, and the charming story of how he met his wife.
England Salary
Southgate was handsomely rewarded for his role as England boss, earning an annual salary of approximately £5 million. This made him the highest-paid manager at Euro 2024, just ahead of Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, who earned £4.8 million. Under Southgate's leadership, England secured over £20 million in prize money after finishing as runners-up. This sum was partially distributed among the 26-man squad, with Southgate and his coaching staff receiving bonuses from the pot.
Net Worth
While some may label him as boring, others consider him prudent. Either way, Southgate's financial acumen has contributed to his success away from the football pitch. After becoming England manager, he established a company called FHS Promotions Limited to manage his image rights and endorsements, while also building an impressive property portfolio. These ventures have helped Southgate amass an estimated net worth of around £9 million.
Meeting His Wife in a Car Park
Given his football earnings, Southgate and his family could afford a luxurious lifestyle. However, there was nothing glamorous about his early encounters with his wife, Alison. According to OK! magazine, it was a Tesco car park that laid the foundation for their relationship. Before that, Southgate would shyly hang around a local shop to catch a glimpse of his crush, despite the fact she had a boyfriend at the time. Undeterred, he eventually mustered the courage to hand Alison his phone number after learning she was on the verge of a breakup. The couple would secretly meet at the supermarket before officially becoming an item.
Alison Bird became Mrs. Southgate in July 1997. Despite her husband's successful playing career with Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Middlesbrough, and his eight-year stint in the biggest job in English football, she has never been passionate about the game. Clive Southgate, Gareth's father, once told the Daily Mail: "Actually, I don't think Alison likes football very much. Obviously she has to take an interest because it's Gareth's job, and she is always very supportive. She will sometimes go to Wembley for an international game but not during the school term because she always puts the children first."
