There are plenty of components to football. For most people, the enjoyment comes from running around and kicking the ball, but other people are different. For one thing, some people want to be a goalkeeper which, while very much an important part of the sport, is not the standard way to play. And then there are the people who stay in the dugout. Football managers see the game in a different way and play an entirely different role in the team’s quest towards victory.
If this side of the sport appeals to you, then read on. Down below, we’re going to take a look at the signs that will show whether or not you have what it takes to become a football manager.
Watching a Chess Battle
First, let’s think about how you watch professional games. Most people watch football at a pretty basic level, and that’s not a criticism. The narratives behind the game, the skill of the players, and the goals and other major match events are, of course, highly interesting and entertaining. It’s no wonder that people get sucked into that side of the game, but there’s another aspect to the whole thing too. You can watch football matches, especially top division games, like a chess battle. When you watch Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, for instance, you’re watching two tactical titans going head to head. If it’s that element of the game that appeals to you (rather than simply supporting your own team), then you might thrive as a football manager.
Making Predictions
Fans typically go on long rants about what they would have done if they were in charge following a defeat for their team. But they rarely realize that, if the team had adopted those tactics, the defeat might have been 5 – 0 rather than 1 – 0. It’s easy to make judgements once you know the outcome; the real test comes before you know the outcome. Prior to a big game, conduct your analysis on what you think the result will be, and then use a football betting website to back your prediction. If you’re routinely predicting the outcome correctly, then you may have the tactical insight needed to get in the dugout yourself.
Coaching When You Play
It’s usually the players who are the captain of their team that go on to become football managers. So, take a look at your role when you’re playing the game, even if it’s just 5- or 7-a-side. Are you usually the player that’s organizing the players into positions, identifying areas that the other team are exploiting, and rallying the team to dig deep on the way to victory? Then you’ll have some of the skills that every football manager needs to have. Some players turn up and just play their own game, but you’ll be thinking about the tactical side of things.
Handling the Negative Aspects of Management
It’s much more fun to just play football, rather than to be a manager. Take a look at most professional managers, and you’ll see just how stressful it can be; they tend to lose their hair or go grey just because the pressure is so much. So, being a football manager isn’t a stroll in the park. However, if you can handle the challenge of keeping players happy, plotting a victory, and feeling the stress of losing games, then you may have the temperament needed to be in the dugout.
You Always Want To Be Involved In The Game
Finally, if you love football, then becoming a manager is a good way to ensure that you remain in the game for as long as possible. There’s an upper limit on how long you can play football. Indeed, many players hang up their boots as soon as they sustain an injury when they’re older than 40. But you can be a football manager for many decades, long after you have to stop playing. It’s a way to ensure you’re always involved in the game.
