Effective managers vs Style-inducing managers (part 2)

Style-inducing football managers are managers that have a style of play they envision and focus on teaching this style to whatever team they manage; it doesn’t matter what team these managers are in charge of, they are firm on making their teams execute their style. With a style-inducing manager, one knows what style to expect from him as he feels his style is the right way to play the modern game. Also, with a slight change in the tactical system, formation or personnel, they make sure that there is no change in style. Style-inducing managers can either have an attacking style of play or a defensive style of play (can't have both). The attacking style of play is a style of play that involves devising a way to keep the ball from the opposition and hurt them by attacking the right areas on the pitch. Examples are possession-based style coupled with wing play, high positional pressing style and gengenpressing styles. A defensive style of play involves surrendering possession to the opposition and creating a strategy to capitalise on their mistakes. Examples are counterattacking style coupled with a midfield counter-press and long ball strategy with a low block tactical system. However, an attacking style of play with a defensive mindset can make the style a defensive one as was the case with Manchester United under Louis Van Gaal; keeping the ball to stop the opposition from hurting your team. Examples of style-inducing managers are Pep Guardiola, Louis Van Gaal, Jürgen Klopp Maurizio Sarri, Carlo Ancelotti, Mauricio Pochettino, Claude Puel and Claudio Ranieri.

Being an effective or style-inducing football manager has its advantages and disadvantages; however, top managers of either type have shown that you can be successful with either method. Style-inducing managers would need a team that can execute their style; they might need certain players to help implement it consistently and effectively. However, if they don’t have these players, their style might not be as exciting as seen in their previous clubs. Effective managers would focus more on specialists or players who would bring something different to the table that would complement their teammates, help their system flourish and help to create a style of play in the process. Which type of manager would you like to manage the club you support? Which type of manager should a club in the relegation zone look to hire? It all depends on the objectives set by a club and the preferred means of attaining such.

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