Iconic leaders everywhere have a philosophy and character
that has long lasting effects and these includes business leaders, political
leaders and managers. The book by Mike Carson “The Manager: Inside the minds of
football’s leaders” is a compilation of interviews with the high-profile
managers in the Barclay’s Premier League Football. The managers who have
contributed to this book have managed teams for at least 15,000 competitive
matches and have been responsible for accumulating prestigious trophies. Be it business or football leadership is the
most important trait to succeed. Barclays operates in over 50 countries and
employs over 150,000 people. Football has become a lucrative financial venture
involving the interests of various stake holders trying to make brisk business
at the behest of ardent football lovers. Football managers Alex Ferguson, Jose
Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Roberto Mancini, Carlo Ancelotti, Roy Hodgson, Sam
Allarydace, Harry Redknapp, Walter Smith, Mick McCarthy have redefined the game
and took it new heights.
The book contains the insights and experiences of 30 managers
whose wisdom and managerial skills have kept their respective clubs at the top.
Hence it can be collective guide for the leaders in various fields, be it
business, education, government, arts and non-profit organisations. This book
may not offer immediate answers to all the difficult situations but brings
forth a compelling language of leadership which will be useful for people
operating in different settings and culture. Though the book is primarily meant
to satisfy the curiosity of football fans, keen to know about the skills of
their favourite manager, it is equally fascinating for anyone who is willing to
take up challenges and hone their leadership skills. Young people endowed with
special ability need careful, thoughtful and strong leadership to realise their
true potential without affecting themselves and others. Players though
considered as assets are human beings first. They have emotions, priorities,
beliefs, perspectives, needs and fears and manager is a person who consolidates
a friendly relationship between all the teams of the clubs to deliver the best
on the field.
An important component of leadership is inspiring confidence
trust, commitment and excitement. Concentrating on competence, diligence and
communication (includes speed of decision making) are crucial aspects for
keeping the club’s reputation in good stead. Football is a highly dynamic game
and it demands great solidarity between the players of team to post a victory.
The real task of the manager lies in bringing out the best from the huge
potential at his disposal. Appreciation, recognition are the significant
challenges to manager and they should never be sentimental. A manager is often
held responsible for the outcomes of game and is expected to deliver all his
professional responsibilities in the face of enormous expectations.
Another important cue in football business is Owner-manager
relationship which is of paramount importance.
The tremendous levels of expectation of the game supporters and the
ownership always keep the manager on tenterhooks. It is the emotional power of
the supporters drives the business of club unusually strong. They are the life
blood of the clubs. The manager is always under the watch by media and he is
expected to face press conferences very often. Press conferences are a means to
connect up to the public and it is also a medium to speak to public and seek
their support. Thus, manager virtually becomes face of the football clubs and
hence is either reprimanded or applauded for the performance of the entire
playing team.
Further, football managers have to regularly face the uphill
task of deciding the crucial 11 players for a match from the trained team of
the 25 players. The players who are rested need a plausible explanation for not
being included in the playing 11. They have to be sufficiently motivated and
their morale has to be kept high so that they continue to remain fit for
training and contribute selflessly to team when called upon. Of late, huge sums
of money are offered to the players with exceptional talent and this can be
destabilising. The task of coordinating various teams of the clubs lies on the
shoulders of the managers. Hence, managers with exceptional multi-tasking are
the ones have excelled in delivering the best for the club. They could cast a
permanent impression in the hearts of millions of football lovers. The book
showcases all the qualities of the extremely successful managers and their
skill in honing the talents of players. Hence it is must read for an aspiring
manager in any field.
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