Failure recognised in football (Knighthood) & is Southgate our next Spurs manager?
Some of football’s greatest names have been knighted for their achievements in the game; some have not. Sir Alf Ramsey received his knighthood for leading England to World Cup victory in 1966, an achievement unrivalled to this day. Ramsey also won the League with Tottenham as a player and took Ipswich from the third-tier league to winning the League title (Division One) as manager. Other Tottenham heroes haven’t been so lucky: Jimmy Greaves, one of the world’s greatest players, got an MBE in 2021, the year he died.
Now, Gareth Southgate, the former England manager, has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list, joining these eminent ranks.
Why? Before becoming England’s manager, Gareth Southgate managed Middlesbrough, eventually getting the sack. Before that, he played for Palace, Villa, and Middlesbrough, but the FA saw fit to give him the England manager’s job. What has Southgate, a failed England manager, done to deserve this honour? It is just rewarding failure. Granted, Southgate got us to two successive Euro finals, something Ramsey didn’t achieve, but he did oversee our boys lifting the World Cup in 1966. He was honoured because he won something.
Southgate’s record as manager of the England team over eight years includes three favourable draws in major international tournaments, yet not a single trophy to show.
To me, he has to be one of the worst managers in football; nevertheless, he has been rewarded for failure.
Bill Nicholson, who won a double with Tottenham and a bucket full of trophies while managing Spurs, only got a minor OBE. Again, years later. He also won the League with Tottenham as a player in 1950/51.
The criteria should be success and trophies… doing something meaningful—not managing a team to failure or second best.
There have been many great Spurs managers and players over the years who have got nothing for their troubles… but then again, they were successful. They had trophies to show the world. Keith Burkinshaw got nothing but won many trophies-
As a manager
Tottenham Hotspur
FA Cup: 1980–81, 1981–82
UEFA Cup: 1983–84
FA Charity Shield: 1981 (shared)
Football League Cup runner-up: 1981-82
Sporting CP
Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1987–88
Arthur Rowe, who won the League for the first time in our history for us, got bugger all… but we (the British Government) reward failure. As an English failure… the FA thought so highly of him – as an English man – that they’ve now given the job to a German national, probably recognising the failures of English managers throughout the footballing league.
Some of you might wonder what this has to do with Tottenham. Well, rumours persist that Southgate is a favourite of Daniel Levy, who rates him highly, and if he should let go of Ange, then the failed England manager will be on his radar. Now we all know that Daniel Levy has a very good track record in picking the best man to manage our club and win trophies… and to be fair to him, he did pick Juande Ramos; who went on to win the League Cup… the same year Daniel sacked him. Since then… (exactly!), maybe Daniel’s record as a football overseer/ director should see him get a knighthood… after all, the Government/monarchy, etc, recognises such footballing successes. Funnily enough, I can see him winning a Knighthood or being made a Lord for his achievements in building a magnificent stadium for entertainment/ hospitality services.
What are your views on Gareth Southgate? Should he have gotten a knighthood, and if Ange fails in Levy’s eyes, should he be given the Spurs job?
Up the Spurs… and Ange for knighthood!!!!!!
Glenn
