In today’s football, choosing a coach is the most important decision a club makes. It’s not just about finding someone with tactical knowledge, but hiring a true leader capable of managing people, egos and large coaching staffs.
Two phrases that Don César Luis Menotti said clearly:
“The problem is not why they fire coaches, the problem is that they don’t know why they hire them.”
“He who only knows football, doesn’t even know football.”
These phrases reflect an undeniable truth: football goes far beyond tactics. A coach who doesn’t master human and emotional management will sooner or later drag the club into failure.
Today, there are plenty of ex-players waiting for an opportunity to lead a team. However, many of them do not possess the leadership and management skills necessary to succeed.
The Mistake of Hiring Only by Name
Many clubs fall into the trap of hiring coaches based on their fame as players, ignoring key aspects such as their ability to manage groups or lead a long-term project.
🔹 Knowing football does not guarantee knowing how to lead.
🔹 A great career as a player does not ensure success on the bench.
🔹 A team’s dressing room is an emotional battlefield that demands management skills.
👉 Modern football does not need coaches who only understand tactics; it needs human talent managers.
The Dangers of Surrounding Yourself with Friends and Family
One of the most common mistakes is that, upon arriving at a club, many coaches build their coaching staff with friends, former teammates or family members.
⚠️ This creates comfortable, but ineffective work environments.
🔹 No one will challenge the coach.
🔹 Mediocrity thrives in environments without dissent.
🔹 The general level of the coaching staff declines.
Example:
Coaches like Pep Guardiola or Carlo Ancelotti do not seek to surround themselves with friends; They look for brilliant minds to bring new ideas and strengthen the project. Staff talent is as crucial as talent on the field.
Lack of Knowledge = Simplicity and Failure
When a coach does not have deep knowledge or a strong technical team, his natural response is to simplify the game model.
🔹 Basic and rigid systems.
🔹 Lack of adaptation to the circumstances of the match.
🔹 Predictable and nuance-less style of play.
👉 Simplicity is not always synonymous with effectiveness.
Modern football demands flexibility, innovation and the ability to react.
Example:
While some coaches stick to the classic 4-4-2, others experiment with transitions, automatisms and dynamic pressing. The difference is noticeable in the results.
Locker Room Management: The Real Challenge
Managing people is harder than managing tactical systems. The locker room is full of:
🔹 Egos that need attention.
🔹 Substitutes who lose motivation.
🔹 Stars who demand prominence.
👉 The coach who does not know how to manage these elements loses control of the group.
Example:
Zinedine Zidane is recognized not only for his tactical vision, but for his ability to manage star-studded locker rooms and keep them focused on collective objectives.
The Right Choice: Leaders, Not Names
When a club chooses its coach, it should look for leaders with a long-term vision, not just ex-players with a great track record.
🔹 Ability to delegate and build a strong staff.
🔹 Ability to motivate and connect with players.
🔹 Adaptability and tactical flexibility.
👉 The success of a club is built from the leadership of the bench.
Conclusion: A Club’s Success Begins with a Right Choice
The difference between a champion team and one struggling to survive often comes down to one decision: Who do we put in charge?
A club that doesn’t understand the importance of this choice is destined for:
🔹 Internal crises.
🔹 Broken dressing room.
🔹 Failure on the field.
A club that doesn’t know how to choose its coach is doomed to fail.
Because in football, as in life, leadership is the key to success.
