Handing Gareth Southgate a knighthood in the New Years Honour’s List is an “absolutely outrageous” decision, according to royal author Angela Levin.
She made the comment during a lively row on GB News with top football writer Harry Harris, who argued the former England boss is worthy of such an accolade.
Southgate is reportedly set for the honour after he stepped down as England boss earlier this year.
“I know he is a good example to people but he’s an almost person”, Levin said on GB News.
Angela Levin says the decision to hand Southgate a knighthood is 'outrageous'
GB NEWS / PA
“'He’s almost done this'... 'He’s almost won that'... You can’t have someone with a knighthood if you’re an almost. It needs to be someone who does the most amazing things and is a hero.
“It can’t just be someone who is very kind, it just diminishes the whole thing of giving everyone such a high level of gratitude.”
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Harris waded in: “Sir Bobby Robson didn’t win anything but the likes of Bobby and Southgate brought a lot of belief to people.
“We have had so many dubious characters knighted. Stuff comes out of the closet later and they still retain their knighthoods.
“At least Gareth Southgate is a decent human being, did the job well for eight years and gave us some belief.”
Shaking her head, Levin commented: “You diminish the idea of the King or Princess Anne handing people that honour.
The debate on GB News was lively
GB NEWS
“I think it’s absolutely outrageous. It looks pathetic. If they are very nice guys, there could be thousands of them waiting for that.
“It’s not enough.”
Harris argued he does deserve the honour when looking at the “sleazy” characters who have managed the England team in the past.
“He got very close, yes he’s a nearly man but he brought stability. I think he deserves the award.”
Gareth Southgate has been heavily criticised Getty Southgate, 54, stepped down as England head coach in the summer after leading the Three Lions to a second successive European Championship final.
He’s the first manager in England history to lead the nation to two major tournament finals.
Southgate was also the first England manager to lead the team to a major final since Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966.
But unlike Ramsey, he was never able to overcome that final hurdle with England falling to defeat in both finals.
