MANY fans already consider Gareth Southgate as a saviour of football

Now he has been elevated to saviour of the world.

Artist Robert Burns has depicted the England manager as Christ in his version of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Salvator Mundi.

Robert’s version of the Renaissance painting is the latest addition to the collection at his council house in Coldean, Brighton.

He has turned the place into a tourist attraction by reproducing the Sistine Chapel on his ceiling and Old Masters on his walls.

The grandfather, 71, was inspired to paint Southgate, from Crawley, after his success in leading the England team to the semi-finals of this year’s World Cup.

Robert saw him as the “salvator” or “saviour” of English football.

He said: “Southgate did really well to inspire the team.

“He got us further than we expected and I think he will be our coach for years to come. I think he is also a nice guy and very well-liked.

“He’s done so much for us. Because of his hard work he’s really made us feel proud of who we are and revitalised our confidence in our national team. And, we won our first-ever penalty shoot out.”

Leonardo Da Vinci’s 16th century Salvator Mundi was sold last year for for $450.3 million, making it the world’s most expensive painting.

It is on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates.

Robert said: “What prompted me to paint him exactly as Leonardo Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi is there’s not many Renaissance pictures of someone holding a glass ball.

“Since Southgate is a football coach, I thought would paint him holding a football.

“He was a bit difficult to paint because of the beard, but otherwise I am very proud of the artwork.

“It took me two weeks to finish the painting. From an artist’s perspective, I find Southgate really interesting. He stands out from the other football coaches.

“There’s something about him. Not to mention his three-piece suit, which also makes him stand out from the crowd.

“His dress style has inspired a lot of people. It’s absolutely phenomenal.”

The Renaissance enthusiast has painted other footballers and celebrities, including Russell Brand, Wayne Rooney, Jose Mourinho, Jeremy Corbyn, Jamie Oliver and Simon Cowell.

He said: “The football ones are very popular. I paint the ones who happen to strike a similar pose to a Renaissance painting. For example, I painted Rooney as St Francis of Assisi.

“I saw a picture of him in the sports pages and he’d missed a goal and had his hands clasped together. It looked looked like he wanted guidance from another force.”

Three years ago Robert completed a 12-year labour of love transforming his three-bedroom home into a tribute to Renaissance art and to the Vatican’s extraordinary galleries – despite never having been to Italy and without having been taught how to paint.

He said: “I only discovered Renaissance paintings in my fifties.

“I was in a boot sale in Lewes and I found an art book on Renaissance paintings. It really opened my eyes.

“I instantly fell in love with them.”