Gareth Southgate received his OBE at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, the England manager awarded the honour for 'services to football'
As the man himself said, "of course I'm aware that the recognition is as much for last summer and the work with the team," and dedicated the OBE to his players and staff but in this instance it is recognition of how Southgate has taken on board the wider responsibility of the role of England boss.
He has spoken forcefully about racism in the game, in England and elsewhere, ensured that his team were good tourists in Russia, met supporters and taken a wider view of the job than merely the results of the senior team.
The question of whether current players (or athletes or cyclists for that matter), such as Harry Kane, should be in receipt of honours is a different matter and one that has been highlighted in the week that Kane also visited Buckingham Palace by the family of another former Tottenham and England striker Jimmy Greaves.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Greaves son Danny said: "I have met Harry Kane and I love him as a fantastic footballer but you are honouring people who haven't achieved anything. Playing for England is a fantastic achievement but if that's the benchmark you should be handing out MBEs to everyone."