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Why do foreign managers adapt faster than players to English football?

FreshRed

Well-Known
Member
Every transfer window, everyone talks about the need to buy players that are premiership proven, because of the extensive history of so many players that struggle to adapt.

But, it seems that a lot of foreign managers make the transition right away (with the obvious exception of anyone hired by the Scum): Mourinho, Wenger, Conte, Guardiola, Klopp, Benitez, Slot, Tuchel, Mancini are big name ones, but Iraiola, Frank, Emery, Poch, Espírito Santo, De Zerbi, They all transitioned pretty seamlessly.

Of the above list, only Guardiola and Mancini had coached in multiple countries (I think. Can’t be arsed to do more research).

So…why is it easier for coaches than for players? Or does it just seem that way?
 
Every transfer window, everyone talks about the need to buy players that are premiership proven, because of the extensive history of so many players that struggle to adapt.

But, it seems that a lot of foreign managers make the transition right away (with the obvious exception of anyone hired by the Scum): Mourinho, Wenger, Conte, Guardiola, Klopp, Benitez, Slot, Tuchel, Mancini are big name ones, but Iraiola, Frank, Emery, Poch, Espírito Santo, De Zerbi, They all transitioned pretty seamlessly.

Of the above list, only Guardiola and Mancini had coached in multiple countries (I think. Can’t be arsed to do more research).

So…why is it easier for coaches than for players? Or does it just seem that way?
It's because the managers who come are more often than not the best in class. If they're not, they're at least very highly rated.

You don't see any average Swedish managers in the Prem...
 
It's because the managers who come are more often than not the best in class. If they're not best class, they're at least very highly rated.

You don't see any average Swedish managers in the Prem...
Maybe. True of the bigger names, but less clearly so regarding some of the less known ones.

Additionally, so many of the players that struggle are best-in-class in their prior leagues. Average foreign players are not the names that get criticized for struggling to adapt.
 
Maybe. True of the bigger names, but less clearly so regarding some of the less known ones.

Additionally, so many of the players that struggle are best-in-class in their prior leagues. Average foreign players are not the names that get criticized for struggling to adapt.
Bigger sample size though...
 
I think this league helps new managers. It's not overly tactical or technical and then there's the money.

Compared with almost every other league your budget is astronomical, 15 clubs cleared £100m this summer from this league, imagine getting the Sunderland job and a £150m chequebook. I wonder what the new boys into Serie A spent this summer?

The bigger clubs are always chucking out decent talent you can loan or get fairly cheap and your budget means you can get the better players from other leagues. Even top clubs sell to other top clubs with a few exceptions mostly involving us.

Most managers get at least two transfer windows to make their mark (unless you're as bad as Graham Potter)

You can afford to poach the best of what you had before if you think they're good enough.

If you don't get a top 6 job you'll never have the expectation of finishing there, everyone will be made up with 7th and you'll probably get a statue if you finish 5th.

On the flip side, if you do get a top 6 job, your budget is even bigger, you can rinse every other club in the league for their talent

Finishing in the top 4 is almost as good as winning the league and you're almost better trudging your way to 3rd/4th than you are bottling it into 2nd
 
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