The Manager

The role of a football manager is one of the most complex and demanding in sport. While players provide the goals, tackles, and moments of brilliance, it is the manager who shapes the team’s direction, culture, and long-term success. Over time, the job has evolved significantly. Comparing legendary figures of the past, such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger, with today’s modern managers like Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, highlights how the demands of the role have shifted with the growth of football.

Core Responsibilities of a Football Manager

At its heart, the manager’s role involves three interconnected areas: tactics, player management, and leadership. On the tactical front, the manager decides how the team plays—its style, system, and approach to matches. Beyond the pitch, the manager is also responsible for motivating players, handling the media, and maintaining the identity of the club. In essence, the manager acts as the face of the organisation, balancing both sporting and non-sporting pressures.

Tactical Direction

Managers are often defined by their tactical philosophies. For example, Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has set new standards in English football with his possession-based, high-pressing style. His meticulous attention to detail—such as the inverted full-back system and fluid midfield movement—has helped City dominate the Premier League in recent years. His tactical innovations show how a manager can not only win trophies but also reshape how the game is played.

In the past, tactics were less scientific but equally effective. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United sides were famous for relentless attacking football, with quick wingers and powerful forwards. While Ferguson valued organisation, much of United’s success came from energy, spirit, and exploiting moments of quality. Compared to Guardiola’s precise structures, Ferguson’s style left more room for individual freedom and improvisation, reflecting a different footballing era.

Player Management

Beyond tactics, the art of managing people is central to success. Ferguson is widely considered a master in this area. Over 26 years at Old Trafford, he dealt with diverse personalities—from Eric Cantona’s rebellious genius to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ambition and Wayne Rooney’s fiery competitiveness. Ferguson was famed for his “hairdryer treatment,” a fierce telling-off that kept players in line. In an era where managers had greater authority, this old-school approach kept standards high.

Modern managers face different challenges. Today’s players are global celebrities, with personal brands, social media platforms, and commercial obligations. As such, managers must show emotional intelligence. Jürgen Klopp is a prime example. His warmth, humour, and ability to form close bonds with his players have been vital to Liverpool’s recent success. Whether hugging players after a win or encouraging them through a rough patch, Klopp’s style reflects how player management has shifted from discipline to empathy.

Adapting to Challenges

Every manager must cope with setbacks, from injuries to loss of form. Klopp’s handling of Liverpool’s 2020–21 season is a case in point. Despite losing key defenders like Virgil van Dijk to long-term injury, he adapted his system and kept the squad motivated, eventually securing Champions League qualification.

By comparison, Arsène Wenger at Arsenal in the late 1990s and early 2000s showed adaptability of another kind. He revolutionised training, diet, and scouting, introducing practices that transformed English football. Wenger’s vision extended beyond the pitch, laying the foundation for Arsenal’s success and influencing the league as a whole.

Media and Public Pressure

The manager’s role also extends into the public eye. In Ferguson’s and Wenger’s time, media pressure came largely from newspapers and television, and the scrutiny cycle was slower. Both faced criticism, but they had more control over the narrative. Ferguson, for instance, famously refused to speak to the BBC for years after a dispute, yet retained his authority.

Today, managers are under constant, instant analysis. Social media means every tactical tweak, substitution, or comment is dissected globally. Some, like José Mourinho, thrive in this environment, using the media to deflect pressure from players. Others, like Guardiola, remain more guarded but still recognise the importance of communication. The modern manager must be as skilled in front of a microphone as they are in the dressing room.

Club Structures and Responsibilities

Historically, managers had almost total control. Ferguson at United was essentially the CEO of football, overseeing transfers, scouting, youth development, and first-team coaching. His authority was unrivalled, and he built a “one-man empire.”

Modern football, however, is different. Today’s managers often operate within a “head coach” model, working alongside sporting directors and recruitment teams. At Liverpool, Klopp collaborates closely with the club’s sporting director, ensuring signings align with his system. This shift reduces the individual power of managers but allows clubs to function more efficiently in a globalised market.

Past vs Present: Key Differences

When comparing past and present, several key differences emerge:

• Tactics: Past managers emphasised spirit and freedom; modern managers rely on detailed analysis and structured systems.

• Player Management: Past managers used authority and discipline; modern managers rely more on empathy and collaboration.

• Media Pressure: Past managers faced slower, less intense scrutiny; modern managers deal with 24/7 analysis and social media influence.

• Club Structure: Past managers controlled almost everything; modern managers share responsibilities with directors and analysts.

Conclusion

The football manager remains one of the most influential figures in sport. While the role has changed, its essence—leading, inspiring, and shaping a team—remains constant. Ferguson and Wenger thrived in an era of authority and control, building dynasties through discipline and vision. Guardiola and Klopp, by contrast, excel in a modern environment defined by science, data, and emotional intelligence.

What unites all great managers, past and present, is adaptability. Whether through Ferguson’s ruthless man-management, Wenger’s forward-thinking innovations, Guardiola’s tactical genius, or Klopp’s human touch, the best managers evolve with their time. The demands may have changed, but the manager’s role as the beating heart of a football club endures.