Spanish
On the 13th of May, World Football Coach Day is celebrated, a date dedicated to recognizing the essential work of those who lead, guide, and motivate teams on and off the field.
More than responsible for tactics and strategy, coaches are guides who directly influence athletic performance, making key decisions that can define the course of a match or an entire season.
In addition to their technical role, coaches fulfill a crucial formative function, especially in youth categories. They often become figures of reference and emotional support for the players, transmitting values such as respect, discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. In many cases, their influence goes beyond football, leaving a lasting mark on the personal lives of the athletes.
Why is May 13th celebrated?
This anniversary was proclaimed in honor of Alexander Chapman Ferguson, better known as Sir Alex Ferguson, considered the most successful coach in the history of football.
The choice of the 13th of May as the commemorative date coincides with his last official match as coach of Manchester United, held in 2013.
Profile and responsibilities of a soccer coach
The soccer coach is a professional in charge of designing and directing training sessions and strategically planning matches. Their main objective is to apply the best tactics during the ninety minutes of play to achieve victory. Among their main functions and responsibilities, the following stand out:
- He is the person ultimately responsible for the team. He establishes a rigorous planning for the entire season, defining specific objectives for each training session, in accordance with the statutes and the club's philosophy.
- He analyzes the opposing team before each match, considering their strengths and weaknesses, in order to develop the most appropriate tactic.
- He establishes, together with the board of directors and the team captains, the rules of coexistence and the internal regime of the group.
- He actively participates in decisions related to signings, additions, and departures from the squad.
- He supervises the preparation of the field before each training session.
- He explains to the players in advance the content of each training session, detailing its duration, organization, and objectives, to ensure an agile, orderly, and effective practice.
- He technically directs the matches, making key decisions during the development of the game.
- He designs and communicates lines of action in the face of special or unforeseen situations.
Qualities and Profile of the Soccer Coach
It is essential that the coach has the respect and trust of the team, becoming a reference and example to follow. Below, some essential qualities that a good coach must possess are described:
- Solid football knowledge, allowing you to plan and apply effective strategies in training and matches.
- Communication skills, to convey your ideas clearly and assertively to the team.
- Empathy, to understand and manage the players' emotions, providing individualized attention and promoting an environment of trust and mutual support.
- Evaluation capacity, to analyze the performance of each player and their response to different types of interaction, in order to improve both individual and collective performance.
- Ability to motivate, maintaining a good mood in the team, which contributes to achieving maximum performance.
- Coherence and leadership, by transmitting the rules of conduct and discipline, ensuring their compliance by all team members.
Famous Soccer Coaches
Throughout history, many coaches have stood out for their vision, professionalism, and results. Here are some of the most recognized worldwide:
- Bruno Génésio (Lyon)
- Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
- Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)
- Diego Pablo Simeone (Atlético de Madrid)
- Massimiliano Allegri (Juventus)
- Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool)
- Didier Deschamps (France National Team)
- Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Maurizio Sarri (Chelsea)
- Julian Nagelsmann (Hoffenheim)
- Ernesto Valverde (FC Barcelona)
- Tite (Brazil National Team)
- José Mourinho (Manchester United)
- Niko Kovač (Bayern Munich)
