One could be mistaken for believing that a coach’s job finishes when the team leaves the pitch. While that may well have been the case just 15-20 years ago, the role has evolved enormously in the years since to the point that it is recognised that the coach is influential in the player’s development as a whole.
In football terms, development used to revolve around two key aspects – technical and physical. Could the player play? And was he fit? That made up roughly 95% of what was considered in the player’s development. It is only in more recent times that other aspects such as psychological and social development have been considered.
England DNA
The Football Association in England revamped their coaching syllabus in December 2014, creating a new coaching philosophy, specifically for youth development. The four corners of the England DNA, as it has been branded, are technical/tactical, physical, psychological and social, recognising the fact that a player continued to develop away from the football pitch.
More emphasis is placed on the players’ psychological development than ever before. Many coaches, especially between the age groups of Under-7s and Under-14s, adopt an equal play mantra. This means that the coach will look to give equal game time to all players as, at this age, development is deemed to be more important than competition.
The Coach as a Role Model
As well as being a good coach on the pitch, modern day coaches must be seen to be a good role model for children as they hold a position of trust. This means projecting a good image of themselves and the club as a whole by encouraging a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Coaches must also be able to pick up on signals from the children that may point to more serious matters outside of football. It is never the coach’s place to judge, but must report anything they are told that could be a sign of bullying or abuse.
Clear Pathway
The better runs clubs offer a clear pathway through their development, with the end goal of breaking into the senior side. It goes without saying that football is more than just scoring goals, which is why players are encouraged to play in a variety of position at the beginning of their development.
Often, players will naturally move towards their position without any prompt from the coaches, while other will need guidance to find their place on the pitch. It is common for quick players to be pushed out on the wing and for tall and stocky players to be positioned in defence. The better coaches try not to pigeonhole players at such a young age, allowing the player to better express themselves.
Although coaches have long allowed players the freedom to play in a variety of positions at an early age, the toned down emphasis on competition gives teams that flexibility to try new things.
Coaches and Managers
When you step into the professional side of the game, the main difference is the key role of coaches and/or managers. Up until 10 to 15 years ago, it was common for coaches/managers to be referred to specifically as managers.
The transfer of players would fall under their remit, particularly in the English game, while European clubs adopted much more of a corporate approach. Instead of managers, coaches are usually given the title of head coach, and do not have so much of a say on transfers as this is left to the club’s board and/or the director of football.
English football, especially the elite end of the game, has adopted the European style of business with more and more coaches responsible only for the players in their team, rather than the business side of things. This arguably provides coaches with more time to focus on the players they have, but equally, prohibits the coach from strengthening key areas that they may identify as a problem.
The role of the coach has evolved greatly over the last two decades and will continue to do so in the future.
