Soccer coaches and managers have distinct roles, yet the line between them has always been blurry. In this article, we’ll explore the difference between these positions and how they have evolved over time.
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Soccer Clubs: A Blend of Sports and Business
To understand why soccer coaches are often referred to as managers, we must first grasp the fact that a soccer club is no different from any other business. Every individual within the club, from board members to canteen staff, plays a crucial role in its success.
At the early stages of soccer clubs, a committee oversaw the team’s affairs and appointed a team manager. This manager acted as an overseer, reporting directly to the managing committee. Unlike today, conflicts between the manager and the board were rare. Instead, the manager and board worked closely together, mirroring successful corporate structures.
A manager, regardless of the environment, must command respect and inspire trust in the staff and players. In Italian soccer, a manager is even sometimes referred to as “mister,” a title that originated from English soccer and is bestowed as a mark of respect.
The Multi-Faceted Manager
While some managers rarely engage in coaching, they still play a vital role, particularly in smaller clubs with limited resources. Take Sam Allardyce, for example. Despite having aging or lesser-skilled players and limited funds, Allardyce is renowned for turning struggling clubs around. His managerial abilities and organizational skills have prevented teams from plummeting into relegation.
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Managers like Allardyce focus on structuring the club, instilling belief in players, and creating a professional environment. They delegate responsibilities and rely on the expertise of their staff to accomplish tasks. Allardyce’s success lies in understanding his players and creating an environment conducive to their growth, rather than spending on new talent.
Shifting from Managers to Coaches
Club managers have always been the face of the club, bearing the consequences of both successes and failures. As the game evolved and media coverage, financial implications, and globalization took center stage, the role of the manager had to adapt to survive.
During the heyday of soccer management, managers like Brian Clough and Sir Alex Ferguson controlled every aspect of the club. They were involved in player transfers, team selections, media interactions, training, and more. However, as the sport grew globally, managing such immense responsibility became impractical and risky.
Clubs now have specialized staff members to handle various aspects, such as media relations, scouting, nutrition, and loan management. For elite clubs, there are even specialists for substitutions and set pieces. Consequently, managers today are more focused on coaching the team, overseeing the club, and collaborating with other key personnel.
The Rise of the Head Coach
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In today’s elite clubs, the term “manager” is often replaced with “head coach.” These modern managers are found both on the field, wearing a tracksuit during training sessions, and off the field, wearing a suit in management meetings. They epitomize specialization and compartmentalization.
Head coaches like Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel personify this evolution. They oversee their respective clubs as a whole but focus primarily on the team. They invest time and effort into player development, training sessions, and tactical strategies.
When Tuchel took charge of Chelsea, for instance, he transformed the team’s fortunes within weeks without making any new signings. He optimized the existing squad through careful coaching, changing the team’s style of play, and instilling a winning mentality.
The Title Debate: Manager or Head Coach?
In the end, soccer is a results-driven industry. Many managers now prefer to be recognized as head coaches, although some still emphasize their role as managers first. The term “manager” resonates with most people as someone in charge, making it a comfortable and recognizable title.
As soccer management continues to progress, the labels assigned to these roles may change, but the responsibilities remain. Whether called a manager or a head coach, these individuals bear the weight of their team’s success and failures and guide their clubs towards achieving their goals.
FAQs
Q: How do soccer coaches differ from managers?
A: Soccer managers focus on player management and in-game coaching, while coaches concentrate on team preparation, practices, and developing players’ skills.
Q: Why are soccer coaches often referred to as managers?
A: Soccer clubs operate similarly to businesses, and the term “manager” reflects the responsibilities these individuals hold within the club structure.
Q: How have soccer managers evolved over time?
A: With the growth of the sport and increasing complexities, managers have had to delegate tasks to specialized staff members. They now focus more on coaching the team and overseeing the club’s operations.
Q: Who are some notable modern head coaches in soccer?
A: Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea are examples of modern head coaches, known for their ability to specialize and excel in managing elite clubs.
Conclusion
Soccer managers, whether called coaches or managers, play a vital role in shaping a team’s success. As the game continues to evolve, these individuals must adapt to new challenges while maintaining their core responsibilities. The modern manager balances coaching, overseeing the club, and collaborating with a team of specialists, all while striving to achieve greatness on the pitch.
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