The football manager’s job has to be the toughest and most stressful management role in the world. There is no hiding. Your results are instant-once or even twice a week. Club boards and fans want immediate results. Poor performance is ruthlessly and publicly punished. Humiliation is a constant companion.
How can football players improve performance?
Under this constant pressure, one can understand why many executives rant on the sidelines, on television, on radio, and in the press. But they don’t know that their aggressive and abusive behavior is making it impossible for their players to do well.
In today’s competitive world, almost all football managers know that most players are equal in terms of fitness and skills at the Premier League level. What makes the STAR, what makes an exceptional player, is mental fitness. It’s mental fitness that wins games.
So why do many managers behave in ways that harm the mental fitness of their players? Surely it can only be ignorance (in its true sense)—because every manager wants success for his players and club.
So here are seven things a football manager should do to build the mental fitness of his/her players.
1. Promise now that you will never publicly criticize your players. Not even if it’s justified. You talk privately and if you decide to fire a player, do it in the most decent way possible.
2. Tell your players that you like them, that you think they are great players and that you know that they all give their best in every game. You trust them.
3. Do whatever it takes to bring fun and fun back to the team. People can not perform at their peak when they are afraid, worried, or unhappy. Make fun your main goal. Work hard—yes! winning games, of course. But let’s not beat ourselves up when we make mistakes. Let’s get the fun back into our football and our lives.
4. Openly and sincerely praise even the smallest improvement or spark of brilliance. Especially when things go bad. Big fires start with small sparks. Really look for things to praise.
5. Stop yelling, mocking, and insulting—even in private. Your macho ego may feel good, but it doesn’t do your players any good at all. In fact, they will subconsciously hate you and play bad to bully you — and they won’t even know they’re doing it. Focus on helping people do better, not crushing them with sarcasm.
6. Make it your primary goal to assist each individual in becoming the best player possible. seen as helping players with their careers. If your club can’t meet the playing or wagering ambitions of a brilliant player, work with him to find the best transfer possible. Imagine the effect this will have. Players will give you undying loyalty and commitment if they know you’re there for them.
7. Find ways to keep players’ minds focused on success. Every day-making statements several times a day that predict success and expect success. Don’t even hint at losing! Give players time to visualise that success—everything comes from a dream.
Is Money a factor?
Yes, some money to buy talent is helpful, but it’s not all. Seriously, apply these seven rules for two weeks and watch your team become better than you ever thought possible. Check out Liverpool Football Club.
