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My admiration for the football manager nick-named the chess player is rising all the time.
Erik ten Hag, highly successful at Ajax, started his managerial reign at Manchester United in the worst possible fashion when Brighton & Hove Albion recorded their first ever win at Old Trafford.
I felt for him as he was booed off the field by a group of home supporters. His face never flinched as he walked past them … I wonder what he was thinking. And then it got worse as they were defeated (0-4) in the ensuing match at Brentford.
More unpleasantries after the match yet he remained unwavering and resolute. He reiterated what needed to be done and was trusting his process to deliver. It wouldn’t happen overnight but the signs would be there.
His third match was the 2-1 victory over arch rivals Liverpool, it couldn’t have been better timed as even the most fanatical supporters had become pessimistic, largely due to the mental scarring of dashed hopes since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Obviously thrilled it validated what he had been saying, that one needed to trust the process. But would they back him? It takes courage to back yourself when others are doubting and displays self-confidence in your ability.
It got my attention as I am an admirer of the British premier league. I study the managers whenever I can to see how they cope with the myriad of pressures which come their way. Forging takes place as the heat is intense when stakes are high.
Enthralling! We can learn a lot from them whether they be on their way up, showing tenacity while breaking through, or being resolute and unshaken when the tide turns against them.
Great leaders are like masterful chess players, tactically they are one step ahead, they never treat their players as pawns and they believe in their philosophy.
I am the author of Leading Self and Others (how to make a difference where you are with what you’ve got) and Teaming with ideas (life lessons in teams- from business, sport and parkrun). You can contact me here.
