Rakesh Pathak

I covered #England under 10 managers, including some caretakers, very august names and figures among them. Not one of them achieved what #GarethSouthgate has, some with potentially exceptional sides in 98, 06 and 10. (Venables might have, but couldn't swallow his pride and do a Euro 96 'audition', though it was really the FA suits fault for insisting he did.) Worth remembering too, that England failed to qualify for a Euros and three World Cups in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Not only is Southgate's record of achievement quite brilliant, he did it with enlightenment, by developing and empowering young men, showcasing them as shining representatives of a diverse and - largely - tolerant nation, partly bolstering a nation's self-esteem in some dark years and ridding the national team of a world-weariness. There are those who called him woke. He certainly woke English football. The 'Dear England' letter was a masterstroke. There were mistakes, moments he missed, opportunities that slipped through his fingers. He will surely reflect on them more than anybody. They are not for today, nor does today belong to those who have been vilifying this most honourable, articulate and steadfast of men for perceived failures that really aren't. Today is for him to be assured that those who have any realistic sense of English football's history and standing, and who appreciate a return to being able to hold heads high, are humbly grateful for his eight years of inspired, yeoman service.