The tactical mind: How coaching strategy is shaping modern football

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5GqSyXhxHc

With the introduction of the likes of inverted full backs, set-piece routines and pressing systems. The shift of the tactical element of football has evolved massively. But why has this changed? 

Formulating tactics on a board (Credit: Adam Bell)  

In the sport itself, everything is now done with a measured risk, in terms of every moment mattering for a coach to take advantage of an opponent. The balance of their strategy is key to make the right approaches to help manage their team to a victory. 

There have been many parts that have converted now in the modern game. Every detail from each game or training session is analysed, specific coaches try to figure out weaknesses to try and take an upper hand on their opposition. This feature piece- explores these certain aspects of how tactics have shaped football currently. 

Gus Poyet an ex-footballer and current coach has seen this through his established playing career alongside his managerial experience. The tactical detail has changed from his Premier League playing days in the 1990’s to football in the current day.  

This also follows his coaching career where he has been in a variety of different countries nationally over the last few years.  

The influence of other coaches’ style of play has been pivotal in the change Gus tells me “I think people get attracted by uh certain coaches and certain philosophies.  You know, after the Barcelona Guardiola in 2005, six, seven, eight or something like that, everybody wants to play like Guardiola, everybody wants to pass the ball. 

 And then Guardiola a few years back, they started using the fullbacks inverted in midfield and everybody is copying Guardiola.”  

 He describes the factors of inevitability from other coaches following this pattern and how the involvement of managing has went this way “I mean other people trying to copy is making football in certain ways too predictable and we went from possession-based football, and everybody want to keep possession now to set place set pieces you know like football.  

 “So, it’s fashion and you need to and for the coaches we need to follow a little bit that if we want to be involved in football because people is only looking for that kind of coaches.” 

 Gus Poyet celebrating after the final whistle (Credit: Alamy – PA Images) 

 In his playing career, which spanned over 548 games at club and international level, he explained the tactical awareness of players in comparison to when he played “They got more information and uh they want to have the information.”  

 “So, whatever they need to do, they want the coach to tell them what to do. When in our time because it was not that much information, I think we were more prepared, we say, to sort out problems ourself.” 

Nowadays, there is a huge emphasis on set-plays in football. With teams employing set-piece coaches and other elements to take the upper hand from corners, free kicks and throw ins to try and score a goal. 

With Poyet not managing in the Premier League since 2015, he mentioned the adaptability of what he would have to change linking to this “Well, yeah, set pieces for sure.” 

“For sure because when you see the coaches or many coaches complaining about how the same business is going in the Premier League you need to make sure you’re ready both ways make sure that it doesn’t happen against you but at the same time use that craziness to take advantage.”  

A lot more teams adapt to a certain style of play, allowing coaches to have their own identity. This is because a lot more teams are drilled in every phase of the game into things such as transitioning on the counterattack.  

 By this, losing the ball in possession is more costly than ever depending on the planning of the formation in and out of possession from both sides on the pitch.  

 It feels like the risk-led element has led to a much more disciplined setup on and off the ball making the plays from players in positions much more calculated and patient. This then plays a huge part in lower tempo allowing for fewer chances in games.  

According to Opta, after game week 28 of the Premier League, teams have completed 42,248 open play passes in the final third, the lowest since 2011/12. Additionally, there have been 1,659 open play shots, which is the lowest in Opta’s 17-year dataset.  

South Shields academy coach Thomas Kelly Hansford described his viewing of the sport as an up and coming and coach reflecting on the way he manages a game “We place a heavy focus on creating overloads and finding the spare man in the final third.” 

“We believe in maximising the half space to create chances. The formations are usually a case of what players are available to me and how can I get those players into areas of the pitch they are most effective.”  

Managing youth football has been the rise for Thomas in his coaching career that has just begun. The knowledge he has picked up so far has been very analytical and has helped strengthen his understanding of coaching. 

Thomas Hansford celebrating his victory as a coach (Credit: thomas_hansford04) 

Regarding changes in the sport, he reflected by expressing “I actually can’t say I hate some of the management techniques that are being exploited currently and that’s because my teams are taught to be streetwise in a similar way when necessary.”  

He added “It’s a result driven business so any fine margin will be targeted. What those changes would be? It’s hard to say.”  

Overall, lots of factors have developed the strategy behind the modern approach of football nowadays. It has been heavily influenced by certain figures in the sport and the analysis from many coaches to help give their team the best chance of three points on a matchday.