Shakespeare proves the value of fewer words

Less is more? – skysports.com

When Craig Shakespeare took interim charge of Leicester City in late February, there were serious problems at the club. Some fans were unhappy with Claudio Ranieri’s dismissal and a sense of distrust festered with the club sinking ever closer to the drop zone.

At that point, it is hard to imagine that the team would go on a run of six straight wins, then compete sturdily against one of the world’s best teams. While Leicester were not at their best going forward at Vicente Calderon, Atletico Madrid have conceded just four goals there in their last 19 Champions League home games.

Even after falling behind to Antoine Griezmann’s controversial 28th minute penalty, the Foxes were happy to restrict their opponents to just a one-goal first leg margin of victory. Griezmann had been getting lots of space in front of the defence in the first half, but the half-time arrival of Andy King for Shinji Okazaki tightened up the midfield. Aerially dominant centre-backs Robert Huth and Yohan Benalouane were beneficiaries along with combative midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

Baring perhaps the first 20 minutes of that game, Leicester looked like a side that know what they are doing and are comfortable in their roles. Shakespeare has reverted back to basics and a big part of that is giving the players clear, simple instructions. This character trait is reflected in his post-match interviews, in which he almost always gives shorter answers than his opposite number.

Shakespeare’s post-match interviews

Other managers in this study take on average 44 seconds answering questions, often going off on a tangent to discuss matters that were not brought up by the report. Shakespeare will either simply answer the question, or if he is unwilling to do so, he’ll draw a line quickly, without feeling the need to offer alternative information. This approach shows focus, confidence and it puts the onus on the interviewer to come up with another question.

One can imagine that his way of behaving in interviews is the same on the training field. Because players have been given fewer instructions, they are more confident in their implementation of them. In that respect as well as from a tactical perspective, the 53-year-old is similar in style to Nigel Pearson. The only difference is, he does not have the same volatility, nor the surrounding baggage.

A man of few words, Shakespeare has an exciting future in management.