A coach is not just a person who teaches to kick the ball. They are a leader, a psychologist, a strategist. Sometimes a father, sometimes a tyrant. A good coach turns a team into a family. A bad one — into a gathering of egotists. We tell you about the role of a coach in football, their tasks, styles, and how to become one.

Tasks of a Coach

Tactical preparation: choose a formation (4-3-3, 3-5-2), explain where to run, when to press. Physical preparation: dose loads to avoid overexertion. Psychological preparation: motivate, calm, set up. Team management: who to play, who to bench, how to convince a star they are not indispensable. Opponent analysis: watch matches, find weaknesses. Communication with management, press, fans.

A coach is the CEO of a football team.

Management Styles

Autocratic (Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho). "Do as told, or you're out." Pressures players, demands discipline. Effective in the short term, but quickly gets old. Democratic (Pep Guardiola). Discusses tactics with players, delegates. Long-term success. Leader-father (Carlo Ancelotti). Hugs, reconciles, doesn't shout. Players love him. Risk: lack of toughness. Scholar coach (Arsene Wenger). Analyzes in detail. Works on a long-term basis.

There is no ideal style. It all depends on the personality.

How to Become a Coach

Path 1: former footballer (gets UEFA license). Path 2: external coach (fitness instructor, teacher). Obtaining licenses: UEFA C (youth teams), UEFA B (amateurs), UEFA A (professionals), UEFA Pro (elite). Training: courses, seminars, internships. Start with youth teams, lower league clubs. Important: not only know football but also be able to communicate with people.

In Russia, coaches are trained at the VSHT (Higher School of Coaches).

Mistakes of Young Coaches

Wishing to control everything (burn out). Not being able to motivate (yell, but players don't hear). Ignoring psychology (don't notice that a player is depressed). Blindly copying a top coach's scheme (they have different players). Not working on themselves (don't read, don't analyze). Being afraid of authoritative players (they sit on your neck).

Learn from others' mistakes.

Coach and Children

A youth coach is a special mission. He should not aim for victory at any cost. He should teach to enjoy the game, not to fear mistakes. Praise for effort, not just for results. Don't shout, don't humiliate. Remember: children come to play, not to follow orders. The main thing is that the child loves football, not hates it.

A coach for children is a role model.

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