England manager Gareth Southgate is still expected to receive a knighthood despite the team's loss in the Euro 2020 final.
British Health Minister Edward Argar said today, July 11, that Whitehall chiefs are examining the "many ways in which we can say thank you" to Southgate, 50, per Evening Standard.
He praised England's "fantastic performance", which saw them lose to Italy through penalties, and told of England's "pride" that the team brought people together after a difficult year caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
When asked if Southgate should receive a special honor for his role in helping England to reach the Euro 2020 final, Argar said: "I like everyone else was disappointed by the result last night and congratulations to Italy.
"But what I was not disappointed by was the fantastic performance of our national football team."
"A young team who have done so much and achieved so much to bring our nation together, to give us something to be positive about," he added.
It has been reported by iNews that Southgate has the best five-year record for an England manager in years, which will strengthen his chances of being given an honor like a knighthood.
However, despite the historic achievement of England reaching their first major tournament final since 1966, fans of the team have been subject to widespread criticism for spreading racist abuse after their loss.
Argar added: "I was really sorry to see some of the disgusting online racist abuse that has been meted out to them, totally unacceptable, no place for that in our country or in our sport.
"But I like the rest of the nation share in the pride at our amazing football team and I'm sure that there will be many ways in which we can say thank you to them and recognize that and I suspect that will be looked at in the coming days."
Evening Standard reports that honors like knighthood are decided twice a year - at New Year and on the Queen's birthday in June.
Members of the Royal Family then present these honors at ceremonies known as "Investitures".