To write to someone in the public eye who I look up to?

[Pariswhenitdrizzles]

I’ve name-changed for this, as I’m a bit embarrassed by it. I don’t think I really need to be embarrassed, but I am, just because it’s become a bit of a personal thing.

I’d like to write to Gareth Southgate to thank him for his work as England manager.

I have been really impressed at the work he has done to change and improve the team’s public image and the internal culture and environment, as well as all his work in improving their performance. He has also made this work look so seamless, which I think is a clear sign of how hard he and everyone around him had worked behind the scenes to make it happen.

I think his overall work ethic and behaviour as the England coach has been admirable and I have found it inspiring. He's definitely become a role model of mine.

Before he came in to manage the team, I was not remotely interested in football, either at a club or national level. I became more and more interested in it as he achieved more with the team and that, in turn, got me into club football, which I have been following for a couple of years now.

I also wanted to write to him to give him some words of support, as I really didn’t like how he was treated by some fans and sections of the media at the most recent Euros. Having said that though, I am just a random member of the public and a grown adult whose opinion will probably matter not one jot to him! I just would like to do it, because I think I would appreciate it if I was in his position.

Would it be strange if I wrote to him to thank him for this? Or do you think it would be a nice gesture?

That's a very nice idea. We're all human and people appreciate getting messages of support and appreciation.

You can find his email address here:

https://www.ceoemail.com/s.php?id=ceo-11111599

Thanks very much @mwill. I was planning on addressing my letter to the FA and asking if they could pass it to him.

It would be a really nice gesture.

I think every one would like to be appreciated and told they are doing a good job. I don't think it happens enough, people mostly only seem to bother to tell someone when they are doing a bad job and want to complain.

Bit weird.

@Cinocino that’s fair enough to say that, as I thought the same, but can you explain a bit why you think that please? Your comment seems a little rude and abrupt as all I’ve got to go in is that you think it’s weird, with no context or explanation.

People are very quick to complain but never seem to praise. Lovely idea OP.

Go for it! I agree it is s lovely idea

I thank people in the public eye regularly.
He likey gets 1000s of emails and letters, so no, not at all.

Excellent idea. I'm sure he appreciates the kind things people say. So many people were absolute turncoats during the Euros. One minute it was pah he's rubbish, the next was he's the best thing since sliced bread.
I agree with you he did a great job. Tell him.

I'd imagine it's probably a lot nicer than most of the other mail and social media comments he gets.

I’m not a fan but I think it’s a nice thing to do. There’s too much negativity and complaining in the world so it’s nice to spread some positivity.

If you were Gareth Southgate would you be happy to read a letter like that? If yes, then yes do it.

Go for it.

Do it. I don’t think it’s strange; it’s a nice thing to do.

That Would be really nice. He achieved a lot in his time as England manager. He appears to be a nice guy.

I doubt he would actually read it himself, he probably gets lots of fan mail and probably has a PA that sifts through it all. But having said that, why not? The world needs more kindness.

So long as you'd be ok with never hearing back in any way then go for it, it's a nice gesture.

He could be depressed, you never know, and would be genuinely boosted by letters like this.

Thanks so much all, I really appreciate your replies. I think I’ll go for it.

He would probably never see it op. He'll still have a team and you may get a generic response.

I think it’s a nice gesture. Random acts of kindness and appreciation from strangers can be very life affirming.

That said, I would be realistic about the chances of getting a response or even of him seeing it. He will have thousands of such letters and through no fault of his own may never see it. As long as you are prepared for that, go for it.

Thanks very much for your replies, everyone.

I have thought about the fact he probably won’t see it and I don’t mind that.

I used to work in a government department, which would have large teams of staff solely responsible for replying to correspondence from members of the public. Many of the people who wrote into us probably thought their letter would be seen and read by a minister. Unfortunately, that was rarely the case, due to the sheer volumes of letters received.

The reason I mention that is because I’m aware he is very unlikely to see my letter. I also realise that if I do get a reply, it won’t be from him personally, but from a member of his support team or perhaps someone from an FA team that just deals with correspondence.

The main reason why I’d like to write to him is just to thank him for what he has done and to let him know he has inspired me. I just feel like I’d like to do it, and it may sound futile and a bit silly, but I think I’ll regret not doing it.