Job Description for a Soccer Team Manager

A soccer team manager needs to fill several roles. He must have the appropriate license for the level (ranging from a National "A" license for professional coaching to an "E" certificate for working with children, all administered by U.S. Soccer, the sport's governing body), be able to motivate and train players, and be able to work with parents or team owners. He must be an accomplished tactician with experience in the game and the ability to spot and develop talent, and above all, create a winning team.

  1. Qualifications

    • Possess the appropriate national license and be at least 21 years old. Have experience at different levels of the game, ideally initially as a player before obtaining coaching qualifications, and an understanding of soccer at all levels. Possess a winning record, to illustrate managerial ability, both at league and cup levels. Able to work as part of a coaching team but capable of making decisions, planning seasons yet still flexible enough to make changes in the middle of a game.

    Training

    • Capable of conducting all training sessions, for fitness and match play, and able to develop winning tactics. Able to identify players' strengths and create tactics that build on those strengths while developing team cohesion. Work individually with players on their game and communicate with coaches to implement tactics in practices. Communicate goals well with players and parents or athletic directors (for middle and high school or college teams), or owners of the team and other staff with professional teams, and provide a visible face for team, always actively promoting it.

    Players

    • Work with team scouts in professional teams to identify, sign and develop talent and make new players part of a winning team, as well as negotiating with existing players to retain those the manager wants to keep. Encourage youngsters to play, if working with a junior team, assemble the best team possible and develop it into a side that will win titles, then maintain the influx of new talent, along with established players, to create a team that remains at the top; with children, ensure that all want to participate receive time on the field and ample praise.

    Attitude

    • Possess a winning attitude and have a track record to prove it. Expect excellence at all times and know how to achieve it. Trained in motivational skills, with proven ability able to bring out the best in players, encouraging their development and ongoing participation in the game. Able to identify problems and resolve them quickly, thinking in both the long and short term, with the flexibility and confidence to switch tactics when necessary, both on and off the field.