How Rugby is Influencing Soccer Managers

In early February, I encountered a colleague who loves football but has a strong aversion to rugby. He brought his frustrations into the office, lamenting the start of the Six Nations, a prestigious rugby tournament that began on February 5 and continues until mid-March. With England set to face Ireland in a critical match soon, his complaints about local pubs showing extensive rugby coverage instead of football echoed throughout the workspace. Despite his discontent, several top soccer managers are taking cues from rugby to inspire their tactical approaches.

Influences from Rugby Coaches

Before the England rugby team faced New Zealand last November, Brighton & Hove Albion manager, Fabian Hürzeler, had an eye-opening visit to their training camp. While it’s not uncommon to have football managers observe rugby training sessions, Hürzeler found the perspective from which rugby coaches view matches—from the stands—particularly insightful.

Hürzeler noted, “The head coach watches from afar, remaining emotionally detached from the game. This setup allows for a more analytical approach, something that could benefit football in the future.”

In France, since Paris Saint-Germain’s match against Lens in September, manager Luis Enrique has opted to observe the first half of certain home games from the stands. He remarked, “Rugby coaches analyze games from a unique viewpoint. Watching from above helps me gain better control and improves my halftime discussions since I can assess the game in real-time.”

Challenges of Adopting New Perspectives

Implementing this practice is complicated in other countries; for instance, Spanish rules mandate that managers must remain in the dugout. Nonetheless, Enrique has adapted his training observation methods accordingly. At the expansive Campus Du Paris Saint-Germain, he frequently watches training sessions from a six-meter-high scissor lift, asserting that this approach alters his understanding of team dynamics and enhances their movements.

Will this trend take root in the Premier League? Typically, a manager found in the stands is viewed as under scrutiny, yet some have preferred this observation strategy. Sam Allardyce was known for watching matches from above roughly 15 years ago, and others like Walter Smith and Jim McLean have also explored this approach during touchline bans. Richie Wellens, currently managing Leyton Orient, has similarly favored the elevated view, yet when discussions arise about Enrique’s unique perch, Allardyce is often recognized as the original pioneer of this practice.

Rugby’s Broader Influence on Soccer Terminology and Strategy

Allardyce has long drawn inspiration from the England rugby team, focusing on their conditioning, data usage, and training methodologies. “Our psychologist at Bolton advised us to move to the stands, where we could communicate effectively without the emotional chaos of the sidelines,” Allardyce shared. “We utilized earpieces and radios to maintain contact with our bench, which enabled us to present video analysis at halftime. This perspective provided a clearer view of the game.”

However, not all clubs were keen on this arrangement. “They expressed dissatisfaction about my decision to watch from above instead of shouting instructions from the bench,” Allardyce explained. “While it’s important to be assertive, if it stirs contention within the club, you might have to revert to traditional coaching practices. If I were managing today, I would definitely prefer the vantage point of the stands.”

Adapting Rugby Concepts in Soccer

On the sidelines, some soccer managers have started using terminology borrowed from rugby, such as referring to bench players as the “bomb squad” or “finishers.” Eddie Jones, a former England rugby coach, coined the term “finishers” to describe substitutes back in 2017. More recently, Mikel Arteta of Arsenal has adopted this language as well, calling his bench players “impactors.” Both coaches once participated in a group chat with figures from NFL and basketball coaching, sharing insights on their respective roles.

After a win over Athletic Bilbao, Arteta expressed his fondness for the term “finishers.” “I prefer this terminology, as it aligns better with the evolving nature of the game. The contribution of these players will be crucial to our success this season,” he explained.

However, not everyone has embraced this linguistic shift. Former Watford striker Troy Deeney labeled the new terminology as “childish,” arguing it may leave players who don’t enter the game feeling confused and disregarded.

Conclusion

Rugby dynamics extend beyond language; even concepts like the “bomb squad,” used by South Africa’s World Cup-winning team, have begun to emerge in soccer. After England’s men’s football team triumphed over Serbia, featuring impactful substitutes, coach Thomas Tuchel embraced the idea, noting he preferred “bomb squad” over “finisher.”

Lastly, while some parallels can be drawn to rugby’s television match official system influencing the VAR implementation in soccer, the outcomes remain less favorable. Reflecting on the broader implications, my rugby-averse colleague quipped about his aversion to these innovations, humorously stating, “What has rugby taught us? Just how to commandeer a pub and spoil my Saturday!”