Football is an easy game. 11 players play on each side and try to score more goals than the other. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Not really when you think about the modern game, as the teams today play in such varied formations, imply such different tactics and try to dictate the game be it by possession or by sitting deep and counter-attacking.
Even though there are analysts, experts and backroom support staff present at each and every club, it is the manager who presides and details the final plan of action. After the players of course, the manager is the single most important person for a football club.
They take part in everything, from transfer businesses, to pre-season, to press conferences, to the half-time team talks in a tense final or a season deciding encounter. The way they set their teams up decides the outcome of the game.
Here are 5 managers who have made a huge impact this season:
#1. Maurizio Sarri – Napoli
Napoli sit second in the Serie A table and have ensured a place in next season’s Champions League. Gonzalo Higuain leads their goal scoring charts with 33 goals and sits joint second with former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Golden Shoe rankings across Europe.
Marek Hamsik sits second on the assists chart of Serie A with 11 to his name. The man behind the resurgence of this historical club is none other than Maurizio Sarri. Under Sarri, Napoli have become a real contender for the Scudetto. His tactical nuances and changes in formation, like shifting to a 4-3-1-2 or a 4-3-3, with an additional man in midfield, has improved the defensive structure of the team and has made it more balanced.
When Rafa Benitez left for Real Madrid at the end of last term, a lot of speculation had mounted as to who could take over at Stadio San Paolo. When Sarri was finally chosen a lot of eyebrows were raised. And who could blame them considering he was a full-time banker till 2000 and had only one season of top flight experience, having coached in the lower leagues prior to that.
The greatest player of Naples, Maradona himself was quoted saying, “I respect Sarri, but he’s not the right coach for a winning Napoli.” But come the end of the season and he has been a revelation. El Pibe De Oro later apologized for his initial doubt. Sarri has reignited the flair reminiscent of the days of the man quoted above and could well end Juventus’s monopoly at the top next season.
#2. Mauricio Pochettino – Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur are currently second in the Premier League table. Gone are the days when they would be struggling for a spot in Europe having already qualified for the Champions League next season thanks to their new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Under the Argentine’s guidance this season, Spurs have been simply brilliant in defence and attack, having formed a totally cohesive unit. They have the best defensive record in the Premier league. Their counterpressing skills have been especially productive with Pochettino preferring a very attacking style of play. This has reaped them rich rewards.
The 44-year-old has also managed to gel the entire team together with stars performing across the pitch, like Toby Alderweireld in defence, Dele Alli in midfield and Harry Kane in attack particularly impressive. He first caught the eye at Southampton when he led the club to equal their greatest ever finish in the Premier League table in 8th place, with only Ronald Koeman doing better in his stint with the club.
He was lauded for his aggressive mindset, and has continued to achieve the same plaudits at Tottenham as well. Next year could perhaps finally be the year Spurs win the Premier League.
#3. Zinedine Zidane – Real Madrid
November 21, 2015, Real Madrid lose 0-4 to FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu. A humiliating loss for the capital club. Fast forward to Jan 4, 2016 and Rafa Benitez has been sacked and Zinedine Zidane has been appointed the new manager.
Lots of skepticism followed as people were unsure whether the inexperienced Frenchman could handle such a high-pressure job. There was optimism in Madridistas though as they felt he was their version of Pep Guardiola. And how right they were.
Although, the legendary player has not yet won any trophy with the club, Zidane has, however, masterfully guided Madrid to the Champions League final as well as keeping them in the hunt for the La Liga title, with Real being a point behind Barca going into the last game of the season.
It all started with the El Clasico at Camp Nou where Madrid came out 2-1 victors and ended Barcelona’s 39 match unbeaten streak. From then on Madrid have gone from strength to strength having won almost every match except the minor glitch against Wolfsburg in Germant, which they managed to overcome at home.
Perhaps Zidane’s biggest achievement has been getting the best out of his big players, with Ronaldo and Bale performing at their best again after a slow start to the season. Madridistas will be hoping Zizou can stay for years to come and win many trophies like he did as a player.
#4. Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid
If Zidane has to win the Champions League title, he has to go through one final test which has proven to be a bridge too far for Europe’s biggest clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He has to beat city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final.
Diego Simeone has been doing such wonders at the club that it is hard to argue Atleti not being the best team in Europe at the moment. Having based his philosophy on a strong defence, with the likes of Godin and Juanfran and quick counter-attacking players up front in the form of Griezmann and Torres, Simeone has formed a well-oiled unit capable of defeating the best as mentioned above.
They have been heroic so far and even though the Argentine keeps referring to his team as the underdogs, the fact of the matter is they have a superior record against Real Madrid these days, with Simeone’s men losing only 1 match out of the last 11, and will go into the game as potential favorites.
Simeone has been incredible in building this team and until last weekend was also in the race for the La Liga title until a shock defeat against relegated Levante ended their title hopes. Nevertheless, he has won the hearts of supporters all around the world with his outstanding displays and will be looking to avenge the 2014 final loss in the Champions League against Los Blancos.
#5. Claudio Ranieri – Leicester City
Talking about underdogs, one of the greatest underdog stories in football history just came true this season. It can be described only as the stuff of dreams, a fairytale really. Of course, I am talking about Leicester City being crowned the Champions of England.
The ‘loser’ as branded by Jose Mourinho finally had the last laugh as Claudio Ranieri managed to achieve what is already considered to be the greatest sporting story ever. Having just survived relegation nobody gave this team a chance. Even Ranieri himself kept undermining their early season form.
Slowly but surely though the players set about scripting an unbelievable win. The side was built on some exceptionally talented players that were plucked from total obscurity. Riyad Mahrez, was acquired from French Ligue 2 side Le Havre for a paltry sum of 500,000 pounds. He ended up being the star of the campaign, dazzling with his wing wizardry, scooping the PFA Player of the Year award.
Similarly, Jamie Vardy too has shone under the Italian, scoring important goals throughout the campaign. N’Golo Kante has become a star and is rated by Sir Alex Ferguson himself as the best Premier League player this season. A solid defence, a hardworking midfield and a creative attack. All this possible by a man who was called too old to win anything. Better late than never.
