ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate admits he is "incredibly proud" after being awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours.

After years of disappointment at major tournaments, the Three Lions ripped up the script in Russia to reach the final four of the World Cup and match the country's best ever performance on foreign soil.

Southgate, who lives in North Yorkshire, was key to England's surprise run to the semi-finals, which came less than two years of being parachuted in as temporary manager following the abrupt exit of Sam Allardyce.

The 48-year-old quickly went about earning the permanent post and changing the culture of the team, with their World Cup run followed by progress to the inaugural Nations League finals in a year that ends with an OBE.

"I'm an incredibly proud Englishman so having had the opportunity to have represented my country as a player more than 50 times and then to manage the team at a World Cup has been an absolute privilege," Southgate said in a statement to Press Association Sport.

"I hope that everybody that has supported me throughout my career feels pride in the fact that I've received this honour because I wouldn't be in this position without that help and guidance."

Harry Kane has also been recognised in the New Year Honours, having skippered England with aplomb in Russia and won the Golden Boot after finishing top scorer at the World Cup.

The 25-year-old striker scored six goals as Southgate's side reached the semi-finals and has shone throughout the year for high-flying Tottenham.

Kane told Spurs TV: "It's quite surreal, really. It's been a great year for club and country.

"I'm very passionate about our country, very patriotic and going back to England, it shows how good the summer was for the whole nation, not just from my point of view, but what it did bringing everyone together.

"I'm extremely proud to be a part of that and obviously thankful to all my team-mates, all my coaches at Tottenham, England, (Tottenham boss) Mauricio (Pochettino), Gareth, all the staff, the guys as well - without them I wouldn't be scoring the goals and getting these accolades."