Loyalty is no longer an asset17/06/2009 2:38:00 PM, Grant Thomas There is a trend emerging from coaches leaving clubs and it revolves around 'flogging' themselves to the marketplace. In a somewhat unabashed display of ego running riot, coaches are positioning themselves for their next gig.
My opinion is that they are in fact reducing their profile and perceived strengths.
Whilst Dean 'the Junkyard Dog' Laidley wasn’t anywhere near as obvious and pointed as Terry 'Plough' Wallace recently, he nevertheless went to some length to inform all and sundry that he is a capable coach and a more than adequate football manager – if he needs to be.
Plough was somewhat more embarrassingly blunt. Forever the salesman, he had no shame whatsoever in dealing with his departure in as short amount of time as possible to allow him to move into self-promotion mode in an attempt to secure any football position that may be available.
What is it about footy that seduces people and reduces them to - respectfully - prostituting themselves for work within the industry? It shows a distinct lack of class, expertise, advice and confidence.
Most coaches have never worked in another environment. They have generally been a player, followed by assistant coach and then finally senior coach. When they are either sacked or asked to leave, fear and trepidation sets in.
It is a big world out there and AFL football – whilst discussed ad nauseum - is not the centre of every universe. There are significant opportunities for quality managers and leaders in the 'real world' (most astute judges consider AFL coaches to be in this category).
I get the impression that most coaches are fearful of their ability outside the AFL and for those reasons it becomes a last resort to break from the umbilical cord.
After 20-odd years and in Plough's case over 30 years, I reckon you have probably given it your best shot and it's time to move outside your comfort zone into another domain and allow others to have a crack. This penchant desire to keep hold of the security blanket (called AFL) is concerning.
I have forever held a firm belief that many senior positions within the AFL – Executives, Coaches, Presidents, Football Managers and the like - are securely held by people that go to extraordinary lengths to perpetuate their existence.
This is generally at the expense of, or to the detriment of progress and success. They effectively build moats of security around themselves to ensure their longevity.
This is when performance and culture really suffers.
There is no doubt the drug called AFL is fundamental to most of the flawed decision-making. There have been bucket loads of examples of decisions being made that may perpetuate a personal career rather than benefiting the future of the club.
For this reason I believe the whole dynamic of coach selection will change. Career coaches will agreeably move from club to club for shorter stints, similar to the career managers overseas in soccer, gridiron, cricket etc. Loyalty is no longer an asset. Can you get the job done and are you able to take our club to another level?
The other new trend emanating from sacked coaches is the move towards the role of football manager. There have been several precedents in the past as well as some current examples.
Whilst definitely a backward step with a diluted influence, the magnetic attraction to remain involved in the system is too compelling for some. Perhaps the more rounded skills being developed by this strategy will allow coaches to move to an overall club manager role – ala overseas – than what currently exists?
I have some advice – get a life and get into the real world. There definitely is a thing called life after football.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/Blog.aspx?blogentryid=425118&showcomments=trueBingo on Wallet.
