England fans love Gareth Southgate even more after modest reaction to new-found style icon status: 'I'm no David Beckham'

Chloe Chaplain6 July 2018

England manager, nicest guy in the world, hero of the hour, heartthrob? These are just a few of the titles acquired by Gareth Southgate amid his team’s World Cup penalty success.

And when he was informed that his famous waistcoat and tie combo has made him a style icon, he melted cold British hearts even more with his modest response.

Southgate has been credited for a surge in waistcoat sales after donning a navy blue M&S one to supporting his men from the side-lines.

The store, which designed the players’ suits for the tournament, thanked the “Gareth Southgate effect” for a 35 per cent jump in sales of waistcoats

But when asked about the Southgate selling-power by BBC’s Gabby Logan his response was simply: “I’m not David Beckham”.

“If you had said to the players when I started at Crystal Palace that I was going to be upheld as the sartorial model for the country, you’d have been hooted out of the training ground,” he laughed.

“As a centre half with a face like I’ve got then that’s a very rare position to be in.

Style icon: England manager Gareth Southgate on the pitch
REUTERS

“I’m not David Beckham so we’re in trouble, Gabby.”

In typical Southgate style, his humble and friendly response only served to bolster fans’ apparent infatuation.

“How can any Englishman not love this guy!” wrote one fan on Twitter.

Another account, named just Daws, agreed: “You can’t not like this man. Best England manager in our generation.”

A third commented: “Love him more with each passing day.”

Some called for him to be knighted, whilst one just said they wanted to “marry him”. “Get in line”, another Twitter user retorted.

20 celebrities who worked a waistcoat

1/20

“Not only has he grown into his face, he wears a waistcoat well and seems a thoroughly decent chap.”

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