Sports Book of the Week: Will You Manage? by Musa Okwonga
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Following up A Cultured Left Foot, his analysis of what makes a great footballer, Musa Okwonga has turned his attention to managers.
Distilling the essence of outstanding management is more complicated, as the role varies depending on club, country and era, but he makes a well-argued stab, while finding answers elusive. Tactical genius? Not according to Brian Clough: "Tactics played very little part in my method of management." Knowledge gained as a brilliant player?
Not according to Arrigo Sacchi: "I never realised that in order to become a jockey you have to have been a horse first." Man-management? But both the softly spoken and the shouters have had triumphs. Luck, diplomacy, vision, communication – Okwonga considers all these before agreeing that there seems no common thread, except perhaps resilience.
The role is "one part glory, nine parts survival", he says, quoting the statistic that 50 per cent of first-time managers never manage again. Perhaps the question should be not how but why anybody does it at all.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments