Southgate wears the identical £45 shirt to all of England’s Euros matches

Six years after becoming an unlikely menswear icon thanks to the Marks & Spencer waistcoat that was seen all over the world, Gareth Southgate appears to have a new uniform.

The England manager, who has faced criticism for the team’s lacklustre performance in the group stage of the Euros,  has traded the suit for a more relaxed look – a £45 knitted polo shirt.

The Milano knitted pure cotton shirt – which is also from M&S – cost £45 and is an official part of the M&S x England collection.

He has sported the quarter-zip at everyone one of England’s games so far – which included a 1-0 win against Serbia and draws against Denmark and Slovenia. 

Unfortunately, it’s not quite brought the luck of the waistcoat, with fans falling asleep in the stadium after three ‘boring’ performances which have seen England win just one game and score just two goals.

Gareth Southgate appears to have a new uniform, a knitted polo shirt. He is pictured at the Slovenia game

The England manager, who has faced criticism for the team’s lacklustre performance in the group stage of the Euros, has traded the suit for a more relaxed look – a £45 knitted polo shirt

He previously sported the look throughout the 2022 World Cup, where England advance the quarter-finals before being knocked out by the French.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Southgate said he was shaking up his look in a bid to appear more approachable to his younger players.

Southgate, 53, said: ‘This year, there will be more shortsleeved knits than a suit and tie because we’re trying to create a relaxed environment.   

‘When you’re working with young lads, you don’t want to be too stiff – in what you’re doing or wearing.’ 

He added: ‘Whenever you put something on, you’re making some sort of a statement. I am conscious of that now.’ 

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Southgate said he was shaking up his look in a bid to appear more approachable to his younger players. He is pictured at the Denmark game

Southgate is seen at full time during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Denmark and England

The £45 shirt from M&S has been dubbed ‘sharp’ and ‘timeless’ by GQ

So far, the look has been paired with navy trousers and – on occasion – a navy jacket. Also from M&S who are the official tailor of the England team.

Southgate’s choice in outfit is a sure talking point during any England tournament.

During the 2018 World Cup, his first as manager, Southgate wore a £65 waistcoat from Marks & Spencer.

As the team progressed in the tournament, the phrase ‘lucky waistcoat’ began to trend online and the retailer reported a 35 per cent increase in sales.

The phenomenon was labelled as ‘the Gareth Southgate effect’ and his look coined ‘nice-dad-at-the-wedding-disco’ with many praising his unpretentious clothing choices.

So far, the look has been paired with navy trousers and – on occasion – a navy jacket. Also from M&S who are the official tailor of the England team

Gareth Southgate famously wore a waistcoat throughout the 2018 World Cup as England reached the semi-finals

Southgate has traded in his waistcoat collection in favour of soft, cuddly cardigans. Above: Pictured in 2018

When Gareth wore the shirt to the World Cup in December 2022, GQ – a bible for menswear – called it ‘man of the match’ saying the look was ‘deeply sharp ad ‘timeless’. 

England will now advance to the Round of 16 and on Sunday evening will take on the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Slovakia or Ukraine.

Fans will be hoping for a more exciting match.  Southgate was booed and pelted with plastic beer cups by a section of fans after the disappointing 0-0 draw in Cologne, as WAGs consoled their disappointed partners in the stands.

 The nation will be hoping Southgate’s side can bring back the feelgood factor for Sunday’s last 16 match – with their status as Group C winners meaning they would avoid Germany, Spain and France until the final.