Coaches find it tough going

IT does not matter where in the world you are, there is one dynamic on the football front that rarely changes. Managers or coaches will inevitably be sacked if they don’t fulfil their mandate of bringing silverware to the club’s cabinet.

To reach that success the man in charge must ensure he and his players are singing from the same hymn sheet.

As been proven so often coaches who lose the dressing-room most likely will be up against an internal revolt with players not following orders with its dire consequences.

This was much the case two years ago when then coach of Orlando Pirates, Muhsin Ertugral, resigned in disgust after the team were thrashed 6-1 by an unfancied SuperSport United.

Prior to that debacle it emerged that senior players were not happy with the Turkish coach who ranted at them in an unprofessional manner much too often and they responded with a don’tcare attitude – and it was over for the coach.

That was very much the case this week when Manchester United, one of world football’s biggest club brands, fired their manager Jose Mourinho after the side went down to rivals Liverpool. The results prior to this were not flattering enough for the club owners and defeat to the Anfield club was the final straw.

It send shockwaves through the football world as Mourinho is held in high esteem for his achievements at domestic league and European level.

But it was clear the constant sniping between him and his staff, particularly Frenchman Paul Pogba, a player of tremendous talent who cost the club a staggering R1.6-billion, was not going to fly much longer.

This toxic relationship had a ripple effect in the dressing-room and it was clear that this was not the Manchester United of the Alex Ferguson era.

The United supporters are some of the most disciplined and loyal fans you can find anywhere in the world, but the internal wrangles and the suggestions that the club owners were not backing their manager to acquire better players were bound to see them restless on the stands.

Ultimately it is results that count as club owners, with their win-at-allcost mentality and the bottom line, demand only success regardless of the quality of player the coach has at his disposal.

It was the case recently with Chippa United, who also changed their coach letting Eric Tinkler go and bringing in Joel Masutha as interim mentor to steady a listing ship.

That is the nature of the game and a universal trend as football is a multibillion business that if you fail to deliver you will be gone.

To reach that success the man in charge must ensure he and his players are singing from the same hymn sheet