The End of the Era of Giant Coaches in European Football

The world of European football is witnessing a clear shift in the nature of the role of coaches, with the influence of so-called “giant coaches,” who have imposed their vision and dominance on clubs for decades, like Sir Alex Ferguson and Jürgen Klopp, diminishing. A report by The Times indicates that this coaching model has become less prevalent in the modern era.

The report clarified that the structure of clubs has changed drastically, as the coach is no longer the sole decision-maker in contracts and sports policies. Instead, these decisions are now made within comprehensive administrative systems that include sports directors, data analysis departments, and specialized boards of directors, which has reduced the individual influence of the coach within the club.

The development of media and social networking platforms has also contributed to reducing the “mythical aura” that used to surround top coaches, as their decisions and actions are now subject to daily scrutiny by fans and experts. This has changed the nature of the relationship between the coach, the club, and the audience.

The report concluded by noting that success in modern football has become the result of long-term institutional work that relies on planning and collective strategies, rather than depending on the personality of a single coach. This indicates that the era of the “dominant genius manager” is nearing its end in favor of the modern collective management model.