With World Cup 2026 underway and the excitement building hour by hour, it’s also made us think of the work behind the sport. What are the effective ways of managing a football team? How do coaches ensure players stay motivated and disciplined throughout a tournament? And what skills can be transferred from the pitch and into our day-to-day lives?
In this blog, we’ll explore which skills are the most crucial in the world of football and how they can be applied in any workplace.
Effective management
From Sven Goran Eriksson’s failure to tame England’s ‘Golden Generation’ to France manager Raymond Domenech facing a backlash from his team at the 2010 World Cup, poor management can be seen throughout World Cup history. If a squad or a team isn’t managed effectively, the wheels can fall off.
But when effective management happens, the team succeeds. Take Gareth Southgate getting the England team to the semi-finals in 2018, or Scaloni leading Argentina to their third World Cup win in Qatar in 2022.
Successful management underpins any situation where teamwork’s required, be this on the pitch or in the boardroom. It’s the ability to understand the wider principles of leadership and having the ability to bring them into everyday use – knowledge that can be gained in one of our exciting business courses.
At undergraduate level, our BA Hons Business and Management allows you to build strong foundations for your management skills, with topics such as project management and leadership and managing teams. This will provide you with a perfect entry route into the world of management.
Or if you’re looking to progress in your current business career, our Master of Business Management is the perfect route to expanding your management skills.existing knowledge and gaining key perspectives in the field. With topics such as managing across cultures and human resource management, you’ll be equipped with the skills needed to manage a global team.
Strong leadership
Perhaps the most important area of management, at least on the pitch, is the ability to approach and manage change across people, processes and culture.
Examples of this within the world of football would be the approach Sarina Weigman took with the England Lionesses team, leading them to the country’s first championship in over 55 years! And who could forget Scolari, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and guided Portugal to the Euros final in 2004?
Leadership isn’t something people are born with. Many professionals spend years refining their skills to become the most effective managers possible – and that’s where our MSc Leadership comes in. This Masters degree provides you with an in-depth understanding of the theories and practices used to hone leadership skills. With modules covering a wide range of topics, including entrepreneurship and management development, the course ensures you have the knowledge needed to succeed.
Teamwork
Many different skills are needed to succeed in the world of management – such as planning, leadership and even strategic human resource (HR) practices. If you’re looking to hone your people management skills, then our postgraduate-level MSc International Human Resource Management is for you. Gain vital experience in both leadership and how to manage teams, and develop a vital understanding of management’s core practices.
Alternatively, if you’re just beginning your journey in higher education, our undergraduate BA Hons Business and Management has a dedicated module on HR management that acts as the perfect introduction to this area.
Mind and behaviour
A key part of understanding a team’s mentality is getting to grips with the psychology of a group and understanding how they operate. It’s next to impossible to instill a winning mentality in players without first having the skills to understand what makes them tick.
Our psychology courses offer understanding of areas such as mental health, stress and wellbeing as well as individual differences, emotions and behaviour. Whether it’s our BSc (Hons) Psychology or postgraduate MSc Organisational Psychology, both allow you to gain an understanding of the mentality behind management.
Why choose the University of Essex Online?
Think you could be the ‘Special one’ in your company? Have what it takes to lead others? Whether your ambitions are World Cup glory or effective team leadership, the University of Essex Online is here to help you achieve your goals.
- Enhance your critical thinking, leadership and managerial skills.
- Discover techniques on how to maximise long-term value in your business.
- Study 100% online, part-time, to fit around your existing commitments.
- Receive high quality silver-rated teaching (TEF 2023).
- Gain your degree from the University of Essex, a top 12 UK university (Guardian University Guide, 2026).
If you want to learn more about our courses, download a prospectus today!