The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast Do Central Midfielders make the best modern managers?
Aug 31, 2023
Liam Tharme, an Athletic writer and tactician, and Mark Carey, a journalist focused on football analytics, delve into the intriguing trend of central midfielders transitioning to successful managerial roles. They explore how skills like leadership and tactical awareness from the pitch translate to the dugout. The guests discuss the implications of modern analytical methods on coaching styles and the skyrocketing market value of defensive midfielders, highlighting the midfield's pivotal role in contemporary football tactics.
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Thought Experiment Sparked The Story
- Liam Tharme began the piece as a thought experiment about why many top coaches were former midfielders.
- He traced the trend to tactical homogenization and the rise of possession-focused coaching.
Midfielders Dominate Managerial Backgrounds
- The CIS Football Observatory found midfielders and defenders are overrepresented among managers worldwide.
- Goalkeepers and forwards are far less likely to become professional head coaches.
Midfielders As On-Pitch Coaches
- Central midfielders often act as on-pitch coaches, relaying tactical cues and leading teammates in real time.
- That practice leadership translates naturally into off-pitch managerial communication skills.