The Confidence Coach's Sports Psychology Reports
Sports Psychology Report - The Brain Of The Perfect Football Manager
7: The Leader
They create disciples who will sustain and articulate the cause. It is a cause which emanates from a strong sense of belief in the manner in which the game should be played, the impact it has in the lives of the fans and the role players have as ambassadors of the club and the sport.
The Manager: Bill Nicholson
Having come through the playing and coaching ranks at White Hart Lane, Bill Nicholson had long since earned the respect of his fellow professional when he took over as manager in 1958. He continued the 'push and run' style for which Spurs had become famous under Arthur Rowe, and guided them to a League and Cup double in 1961 with what many regard as the best English team of all time.
He was a powerful advocate of entertaining, attractive football, 'It's no use just winning, we've got to win well,' he said, and his players were happy to follow his lead. Danny Blanchflower and John White were The Nicholson Way made flesh, but they were balanced by the uncompromising Dave Mackay who Nicholoson regarded as his best evr player.
His leadership was built around an attacking, free flowing philosophy, one which has such a strong hold on the club that any team or coach who deviates from it is roundly derided by the fans. 'It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low. And we of Spurs have set our sights very high, so high in fact that even failure will have in it an echo of glory,' said Nicholson, in the positive manner of a true leader.
The Sports Psychology Report - The Communicator
