The influence of football managers is diminishing, according to Sir Gareth Southgate, the former England national team manager. He highlights that contemporary club structures are significantly altering the dynamics of authority within football. The rise of football directors, technical directors, and sporting directors has led to a redistribution of power, although Southgate admits he sees no problem with this change.
Despite the shift from traditional ‘manager’ roles to modern ‘head coach’ positions, Southgate emphasizes that the pressure faced by today’s coaches remains as intense as ever. His remarks come in light of recent high-profile departures at clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Chelsea, all of whom have seen their head coaches leave since the beginning of the year.
In a LinkedIn post, Southgate pointed out that while the circumstances surrounding the exits of Madrid’s Xabi Alonso, United’s Ruben Amorim, and Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca varied, they all fundamentally stemmed from power struggles involving club executives, staff, or players. For instance, Maresca exited Chelsea by mutual agreement after conflicts with the club’s management, whereas Amorim publicly criticized the club’s leadership before his dismissal. Just before being let go, Amorim stated, "I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear," hinting at the interference he faced behind the scenes.
Southgate reflected on how the gradual erosion of managerial authority has been ongoing for many years, a trend that has intensified with the increasing presence of football, technical, or sporting directors who now manage long-term strategies and report directly to CEOs or owners, placing them structurally above head coaches.
"Personally, I have no issues with this evolution," Southgate remarked. He believes that strategy, culture, planning, and continuity are vital for success in any organization, including football clubs. He asserts that modern head coaches often lack the time and, in many cases, the specialized knowledge required to handle complex player contracts, supervise global scouting networks, or manage advanced data operations.
Contrary to what some fans might think—that being a head coach reduces workload—Southgate argues that it actually increases responsibility due to larger squads, expanded support teams, heightened analytical requirements, and growing media and commercial pressures. He further explained, "The complexity of managing contemporary players, many of whom have become individual brands, combined with the financial stakes for clubs and the ongoing scrutiny from both traditional and social media, creates an intricate mix of challenges and stress."
He advocates for a reimagined version of the traditional managerial role that acknowledges the individuals being led, coached, and managed. "As I once communicated to my superiors at England: players are not mere magnets on a tactics board that can simply be rearranged. They are human beings. Understanding this reality is central to effective leadership in modern football."
While Southgate, who previously managed Middlesbrough and the England Under-21 team before leading the senior England squad from 2016 to 2024, recognizes that different titles can result in a subtle yet significant shift in power and status, he insisted on being called 'manager' when offered the head coaching position for England. He felt this title was crucial to reflect the authority, influence, and control necessary for the role.
