The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes as Manchester City ship an extraordinary eight goals, in the Premiership finale, at The Riverside.
Football: Manchester City - Uncertainty!
So Manchester City end the season in disarray. Losing by eight goals to one at Middlesboro' somehow, sums up the confusion and uncertainty emanating from Eastlands.
Perhaps the size of this defeat, reflects the contrasting stability, of the two football clubs. Middlesboro' one the one hand, carefully guided by local businessman and supporter, Steve Gibson. Supportive and patient of his manager, with a long-term strategy for the club.
City, by comparison, in the hands of former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. Unhappy with Sven Goran Eriksson's first season at the club. If rumours are to be believed, then this was the popular Swede's, last game in charge of City.
It is rare for a football club to thrive, when there is unrest and uncertainty behind the scenes. Managers preach, that players are not affected by boardroom disputes, or unsettlement about the bosses position.
But the influence of uncertainty, washes down from the top of the football club, through to the administrative offices and club staff, to the fans via the media, and eventually to the players.
Thaksin Shinawatra may turn out to be a hugely successful chairman of Manchester City. But to do so, he will need to understand, that success on the pitch, is a direct result of harmony off the pitch. And that harmony begins in the boardroom.
He may not enjoy seeing his team, ship eight goals at Middlesboro. But this end of season thrashing, may hold valuable lessons for this inexperienced chairman to learn.
