How much influence does a football manager actually have on a team's results and performance ?

[united_99]

For me sustained success within the club comes through the following and in that order:
1. Players (quality of the players)
2. Club structure (board, investment, transfers, strategy, etc.)
3. Manager

The manager is extremely important to the success, but less important than 1. and 2.

Now obviously at very few clubs a manager can define or develop the club structure and quality of the players if the squad is very young or needs an overhaul but for this he would need around 5 years.

But at most clubs (Bayern, Real, Barca, etc.) the quality of the players and the club structure is a given and every manager has to operate and deliver within that environment. Bayern is a clear example: Kovac, who is not world class, still won a league and cup double with Bayern mainly because they have great players. Flick, a world class coach comes in, their performances improved and he won the treble and some more trophies and will likely continue to win them. The players and the structure however was already there (not only did they have a great team, they made clever loan signings to improve their squad).

 

[simplyared]

Massive influence! Look how Mourinho is feckin up with that squad of players.

 

[Champ]

Actual gameplay in football is 50% luck and the rest is a combination of skill, gameplan and ability.
The managers job is really to reduce the 50% chance of luck down as much as possible.
So a manager can have a big influence in games, but not as big an influence as luck.
Worth reading a book called The Numbers Game, as it gives a good insight to this.

 

[Hugh Jass]

The manager is huge. Hansen said when we won our last title that Ferguson could have managed any other top four team and won it.

 

[Stig]

https://hbr.org/2013/10/fergusons-formula

 

[footballistic orgasm]

Didn't say managers don't need tactics, I'm just saying it's not as important as having good players.

Do you think Leipzig has better players than United and Tottenham for example?

 

[Tragically Hip]

Pretty sure Fergie was quoted post-match once saying his influence was no more than 10%.

Not trying to be smart, but is this not an aspect of his management? I assume giving the players the bulk of the credit would sit well with them.

 

[R'hllor]

Opinions differ depending of do you like the manager or not.

 

[RooneyLegend]

In this current environment it's huge. The game has evolved and those stuck in the past are getting left behind.

 

[Nevilles.Wear.Prada]

Having witnessed what SAF did for ua and what happened after his subsequent departure, i don't understand how anybody can ask this question.

 

[reelworld]

Do you think Leipzig has better players than United and Tottenham for example?

No.

Do you think Scott Parker and Fulham squad is better than Klopp and Liverpool's?

 

[Bobcat]

Depends on the club (and era) really, and of course how long he stays there.

If he has a big say in how the squad is built and he stays there for long enough to get the players he wants, then hes a massive influence. If hes just a coach with a fancy title and almost no input on how the squad looks, then much less. But in general, hes going to have a lot of influence on results over time, but much less over individual games, if that makes any sense

Imo, what seperates the good managers from the mediocre ones, is the ability to build good squads. To get players with the right mentality, temperament and skills. Here man management also plays a big part. A common characteristic of great teams is that you have players that will run through walls for the club/manager

Coaching and tactics is of course important, but can only get you so far. There is a pretty resilient narrative on the Caf that coaching can do anything and basically the sky is the limit, but imo thats shite. If that was the case, then anyone could become a nobel prize winner in physics with the right tutoring.

 

[UpWithRivers]

Its the same question as what is the point of CEO's or the President or anyone in a top position. Doesnt everyone below them do the actual work? If the CEO of McDonalds gets hit by a bus then your local McD's will keep running fine....right?