The Sports
Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog comes after media interest turns to the identity of the next manager of Newcastle United FC.
Football: Newcastle United - Job Vacancy
So
it's time for Newcastle United to choose another manager of their football
club. For a job now being described as a poisoned chalice, what kind
of football man should the Newcastle United owners be looking for?
There are two clear options. One is to choose a manager who has experience in breaking long-term stop situations. For example, the work Jose Mourinho did at Chelsea falls into this category. He was able to take an underperfoming football club and completely transform the clubs self-view. He turned them into winners. Throughout all levels of the club. It takes a special calibre of mindset to do this. A mindset that knows what kind of resistance they will face in breaking the stop situation and the acumen and wisdom needed to handle this resistance.
The second option is a manager who feels and understand the Newcastle psyche. That is emotionally tuned into the desires of the people of Newcastle. That wants what they want. That feels what they feel. That wants to see football played the way they want to see football played. That is as passionate about Newcastle United as the fans are. That cares as much as they do. Ideally this would be an ex-player who is proud of having represented Newcastle. And can handle the pressure that comes with the expectation.
They may not have the same level of experience of the manager who can break the stop situation. But, they can succeed by creating momentum through excitement and daring on the pitch. That creates an electric energy on the terraces. That pulls the Geordie nation together again. That directs all the well of emotional energy into the one cause.
Newcastle United must choose very carefully their next manager. If their man doesn't fall into either of these two camps, then their tenure is likely to be a short-lived one.
