Football: Gareth Southgate has Tube station renamed after him as England return from Russia

A sign on a platform at Gareth Southgate station in north London. Photo / Twitter/@TfL

Southgate Tube station is being temporarily renamed Gareth Southgate station from this morning in honour of the England manager.

Transport for London (TfL) announced it is changing the Piccadilly line stop's name for 48 hours to commemorate England's unexpectedly successful World Cup campaign.

The signage on the platforms, ticket hall and outside of the Grade II listed station have all been changed to reflect its temporary re-christening.

Mr Southgate became an unlikely national hero as he led the Three Lions to their first World Cup semi-final in almost three decades.

The 47-year-old endeared himself to the country with his calm and understated demeanour away from the pitch as well as his effusive touchline goal celebrations.

England head coach Gareth Southgate. Photo / AP

He also became an unsuspecting fashion influencer as sales of his trademark Marks & Spencer navy three-piece suit surged during in the tournament.

Mark Wild, Managing Director of London Underground, said: "The great performance of the England team this summer brought people of all ages together in celebration.

"We're delighted to be able to show our appreciation to Gareth and the team by renaming the station in his honour."

In contrast to the national adulation he has enjoyed, Mr Southgate has kept the team's return from Russia a low-key affair, eschewing suggestions of a homecoming parade.

As the team touched down yesterday at Birmingham airport, following their 2-0 defeat to Belgium in the Third Place play-off on Saturday, the FA thanked fans for their "unbelievable support" but said there were no plans for a public reception for the team.

However, not to be outdone, the French state-owned rail operator, the RAPT Group, announced it was also temporarily changing the names of six Paris stations to honour its World Cup heroes.

[#MercilesBleus] La #RATP célèbre l’@equipedefrance sur son réseau. On vous dévoile 6 nouvelles stations de métro en l'honneur des Bleus #ChampionsDuMonde ! 🏆 🎁 Toutes les infos ➡ https://t.co/9TdZq7Uwmp #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/lAGJhLuBm8

— RATP Group (@RATPgroup) July 16, 2018

Among the celebratory appellations are Victor Hugo station becoming Victor Hugo Lloris station after the eponymous France and Tottenham keeper, and Bercy station being re-christened Bercy Les Blues, which is a play on words with 'merci Les Blues'.

France manager Didier Deschamps was also honoured with his own temporary metro moniker as Champs Elysées-Clémenceau station has become Deschamps Elysées - Clémenceau.