What are we learning from Gareth Southgate?

Obviously I'm loving the run England is having in the World Cup. And, along with seemingly the rest of the country, I'm really enjoying the way that the manager, Gareth Southgate, is handling things - not only his leadership of the squad, but his demeanour with the media and the respect he shows to opposition players and coaches. 

The flood of #GarethSouthgateWould tweets are (in the main) brilliant. They're also, mostly, simply examples of what the majority of people would see as just being a decent human being - kindness, consideration, understanding, going out of your way to help others. They're a useful reminder (should one be needed).

He also represents what I think a lot of people would see as very traditional English (actually, British) values. In a nation that feels as divided as at any time in my living memory, it's interesting that millions are gathering around Southgate and celebrating those values. I hope it's not something we forget once England's journey in the tournament has come to its conclusion. Let's Be More Gareth.

It also reminded me of something else. I wrote this in January, five days after my Dad died:

He was a lovely man. I described him the other day as an extraordinary man in the most ordinary ways. He lived by the most basic human values in every aspect of his life: consideration for others, kindness, compassion, respect, good humour. These aren’t always the qualities that are most celebrated, but to me they’re the most important. 

If we are starting the celebrate those values now, I'm all for it.

Oh, and don't forget, it's coming home.