When Belief Breaks Down: The Hidden Cost of Lost Faith in a Manager

Some Spurs players are giving up on Ange Postecoglou

In response to a recent comment on my Nottingham Forest takeaways article, a reader shared the following perspective:​

"I agree with everything you say, except everything you and Will Still have pointed out is down to our manager and his coaching. Over time I have come to realise that most of our on field issues is down to the managers tactics and coaching, yes the players need to take responsibility but you as a former coach know that generally a player will attempt to follow what they are being coached. Blind faith in Ange is all very well but currently unless he learns from his errors then it will take us nowhere. Incidentally do you remember the famous ECWC final in Rotterdam, where Bill Nicholson gave the pre match dressing room talk and after he left the room Danny Blanchflower told all the players to not listen to Bill and go out and prove we were the better team with better players and we won 5-1. Managers are not always correct but it takes a real leader to lead, we are sadly lacking that at present."​

This comment raises valid points about the influence of managerial tactics...

And the importance of leadership. 

However...

It's essential to consider another critical aspect: the players' belief and commitment to the manager's system.​

The Fragility of Tactical Systems Without Player Buy-In

High-pressing football, a hallmark of Postecoglou's strategy, demands unwavering commitment, synchronization, and relentless energy from the entire team. 

It's not merely about positioning; it's about a collective mindset geared toward proactive engagement and trust in the system's efficacy.​

When players are fully invested, the high press can suffocate opponents, disrupt their build-up play, and create scoring opportunities. 

However, if even a few players waver in their commitment (hesitating in pressing triggers, failing to cover spaces, or neglecting recovery runs) the entire structure can collapse, exposing vulnerabilities and leading to subpar performances.​

Lessons from Chelsea's 2015-16 Season

A pertinent example is Chelsea's 2015-16 campaign under José Mourinho. 

Despite entering the season as defending Premier League champions, the team experienced a dramatic downturn, culminating in Mourinho's dismissal. 

I was informed this was going to happen before the season started.

Reports indicated a breakdown in the relationship between the manager and key players, leading to a loss of trust and belief in his methods.​

Mourinho himself remarked that his players had "betrayed" his work, highlighting the erosion of mutual confidence. 

The tactical framework that had previously brought success became ineffective, not necessarily due to its design but because the players' commitment to executing it had diminished.

The next season they won the title with a record-breaking 30 wins.​

The Interplay Between Managerial Influence and Player Mentality

While managers are responsible for devising strategies and preparing the team, the execution hinges on players' belief and dedication. 

A manager can instil a philosophy and provide the tools for success, but without players' wholehearted engagement, even the most sophisticated tactics can falter.​

In Tottenham Hotspur's context, if certain players have indeed lost faith in Postecoglou's approach, it could explain inconsistencies in applying the high press and other tactical elements. 

This scenario underscores the importance of aligning managerial vision with player mentality to achieve cohesive and effective performances.

The players have already proven they can play these tactics effectively, therefore it is their personal choice that they are not.

And there is nothing a manager can do about that, without the players having a mentality shift.

To say it is the manager's tactics is the easy way out and exonerates the guilty parties, the players.

The manager is partly to blame, the incessant negative noise from the fans is partly to blame and the excessive injuries are partly to blame.

I believe that had our injury crisis not been 3 months long we would have come through it, but it was so long it destroyed the season.

The effort required to achieve a significant victory could only be spasmodic; anything else was physically impossible.

You can argue all day long that the manager shouldn't lose the players, but as Chelsea showed with a title-winning team, even the best managers in the world can lose a side, who simply start to perform again with a new boss.

Moving Forward: Rebuilding Trust and Unity

Addressing such challenges requires open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the club's objectives. 

Reestablishing trust between the manager and players is crucial for revitalising the team's tactical execution and overall performance.

The players are playing for the Europa League and regardless of the manager's PR at press conferences, the players are not going to put it in for the Premier League consistently, if at all.​

While tactical acumen is vital, the psychological and relational aspects of football, particularly the belief players have in their manager, play an equally significant role in a team's success. 

Recognising and addressing these elements can pave the way for a more resilient and united Tottenham Hotspur.

And we are back to mentality training and sports psychologists again!​

COYS

The article to read if you haven't already: Postecoglou emulating Bill Nicholson

A recent article: The Elastic Band Principle and Tottenham Hotspur’s Coaching Identity

Another hard-hitting THBN article coming next - That's how children behave and these people are parents!

Proper Supporters Support Bill Nicholson Style

Readers' question answered:

What kind of "winning mentality" thinks losing league games doesn’t matter? - you think you know what a winning mentality is, but you don't

Tottenham Hotspur Are Building a Lancaster Bomber – Not a Mosquito - Spurs' Lancaster Bomber is still in the factory and we are having to deal with deserters

COYS