Lead Like a Football Manager: Leveraging Football Management Techniques in the Corporate World
Before diving into the key qualities of a successful sports manager, it is important to note that the principles discussed in this article can be applied to any sport, not exclusively football or soccer as it is known in some countries.
In the past, management techniques were largely based on military principles and command structures. While there are still lessons to be learned from military leadership in many situations, leading highly skilled professionals in a competitive, tech-driven market requires a different approach. That is where the world of football management comes in. Football managers must not only lead and motivate their teams to win games, but also manage complex budgets, handle communication on daily basis, deal with outsiders’ judgements, manage individual egos, and navigate unpredictable situations. I believe, by leveraging the techniques and strategies used by successful football managers, corporate leaders can improve their own management skills and drive their teams towards success.
Football managers operate in two distinct contexts: off the field (similar to day-to-day activities in the corporate world) and on the field (similar to project or delivery mode in the corporate world). Let’s delve deeper into the following points, which I hope will inspire you to think critically with me.
Off the field:
a. Establish a clear philosophy and leadership style that is recognized by the team. This means defining your expectations, how you prefer to work, what you consider a high-performing team, and how trust can be gained. For instance, do you empower your team to make decisions, or do you need to be involved in every decision? Do you value first-time accuracy, or are you open to experimentation? How do you prefer to communicate with your team — through emails or more informal, fast communication channels like WhatsApp?
A good example of this can be seen in the management style of Pep Guardiola, the current manager of Manchester City. Guardiola has a clear and distinct style of play that emphasizes possession-based, attacking football. He also empowers his players to make decisions on the pitch, which has led to a highly successful and cohesive team. By setting a strong leadership example and clearly communicating expectations, Guardiola has created a team culture that values autonomy and innovation, ultimately leading to success on the field.
b. Build a strong team that complements each other. Young and experienced, talented and hard workers, quiet and out speakers. No team is built from only stars, and no one measure of how a player should be useful to the team. The team is not only players; the team consists of advisors and potential leaders. Building a successful football team is to identify and recruit talented players. This requires a thorough understanding of player attributes, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as an eye for potential in-line with your philosophy.
Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has been praised for his ability to recruit talented players who fit his system and philosophy. He also places a strong emphasis on team unity and relationships between players and coaches, which has helped Liverpool become one of the most successful teams in recent years.
c. Respect your top talented player(s), at the same time make sure the team is the star. A successful football team is built on a foundation of strong relationships between players and coaches.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the former manager of Manchester United, was known for his ability to manage and motivate star players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney while still putting the team first. He understood the importance of having top talent on the team but also knew how to keep them grounded and focused on team success.
d. Financial planning is key to delivering results. Make sure you have a budget that aligns with your goals and be realistic about what can be achieved with the resources available. Don’t promise a champion’s league title with a budget for a championship team. Set realistic expectations and be ambitious with your team
Arsene Wenger, the former manager of Arsenal, was known for his shrewd financial planning and his ability to build successful teams on a tight budget. He understood the importance of setting realistic expectations and being ambitious with his team while still working within the constraints of the club’s financial resources.
e. Be realistic; stay up to date with new techniques, but don’t be obsessed in applying them. Take a careful look at your team and don’t be shy to use an old technique if it works.in addition.
Jose Mourinho is known for staying up to date with new techniques but not being obsessed with applying them. He is also known for adapting to the strengths of his team rather than forcing them into a specific style of play. For example, during his time as manager of Inter Milan, he famously utilized a defensive and counter-attacking style of play to win the Champions League in 2010. While this approach may have been considered old-fashioned by some, Mourinho recognized that it fit the resources he had at his disposal and was effective in achieving his goals. Another example, Carlo Ancelotti the current manager of Real Madrid, is also known for his flexible and adaptable style of management. While he keeps himself up to date with new techniques and strategies, he also understands that not all of them may be suitable for his team. For example, during his time at Real Madrid, he was known for implementing a possession-based style of play. However, when he moved to Bayern Munich, he adapted his style to fit the strengths of his players, which included a more direct approach.
f. Use data, but don’t rely on it. Communication and observations can’t be replaced by charts and numbers.
While Ancelotti is known to use data to inform his decisions, he also understands the importance of communication and observations. He once famously said, “I can’t tell you what I see on TV. I need to be on the pitch to see what’s really happening.” Ancelotti emphasizes the importance of watching his team play and interacting with his players to gain a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. While data can provide valuable insights, it can’t replace the human element of management.
On the field
a. Listen to your team and take advice from experienced players on the current situation and what should be done.
Sir Alex Ferguson, former Manchester United manager, was known for taking advice from his senior players, such as Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, to help make tactical decisions on the field.
b. Every team member should be able to help each other when needed. Like a football team, a defender might join the attack when behind in the score, or a striker may drop back to help defend when protecting the result. This will not happen automatically; you must also be willing to step out of your job description and role specifications when necessary.
Marcelo Bielsa, former Leeds United manager, is known for his emphasis on teamwork and the importance of each player being willing to contribute to multiple positions on the field to help the team succeed.
c. Train your team on how to handle unexpected situations, such as an illness, a key player leaving the team, unfriendly crowds or conceding a goal early in the game. All these scenarios should be familiar to your team, and contingency plans should be in place.
Jose Mourinho, a former manager of Chelsea and Manchester United, has been praised for his ability to adapt to unexpected situations during games. He is known for making strategic substitutions and tactical changes that have helped his teams come back from behind and win games.
d. Effective communication is vital for successful team leadership. Ensure transparency by regularly sharing updates on the team’s status and plans. Celebrate team victories and protect team unity by acting as a cohesive unit, rather than as individuals. Accept to take the blame when the results are not in your favor, and you might be in the back of the picture when the team is winning. Press conferences before and after games are not that different than team reporting or steerco meetings in many cases.
Jurgen Klopp is also known for his excellent communication skills and his ability to motivate his team through passionate speeches and clear messages. He regularly shares updates on the team’s status and plans and acts as a cohesive unit rather than as individuals.
Likewise, Arsene Wenger, former Arsenal manager, was known for taking full responsibility for his team’s poor performances and results, even when individual players made mistakes.
By following these techniques, we can learn to lead like a football manager and apply their winning strategies to the corporate world. Remember, successful managers possess both leadership and management qualities to win titles. Inspiring leadership is important, but it must be complemented by strong and relevant to the situation management skills.
