I think James Milner will become a world class manager with his experience playing, his versatility having played almost every position over his career and lastly immense game reading and complete professionalism

Granit Xhaka is about to become the worlds greatest manager

This is why Ilkay Gundogan is going to become an excellent manager. Played under Pep, Klopp and Xavi across Spain, Germany and England. A Slow but intelligent central and defensive midfielder. Recently received his coaching license. Could be Pep’s successor at City

Busquets' career path has been amazing when you think of it. Had it not been for Guardiola identifying his ability promoting him into Barcelona's first team, he would've just been another B team player who faded into the obscurity of Spain's lower leagues.

There's a parallel with this in teaching. My best teachers were those who were themselves struggling with the concepts, were having to develop an empathy with the next question. The worst teachers were the brilliant ones who never understood why you could have a problem with all the theories of relativity. So they're obvious, right? Teachers who develop a distance to their own subject are much better than those who own it (with doctorates, etc.). Maybe this goes also for managers.

The point being that they made it as footballers DESPITE not being physically gifted, because they compensated with intelligence, awareness and personality - exactly the qualities that help in being a manager. So the process literally selects for supreme footballing intelligence in order to make it.

"you never fail, you only learn" is something I realised when I did latin for a year in school and was terrible and failed. After failing I thought I didn't learn anything until about a year or 2 later my brother started doing Latin himself and I was very surprised because I was able to help him both with homework and translations. I ess able to translate sentences without a dictionary. I was proud of myself for that because I finally understood that although i failed the class, I still leant something

The single greatest football related video I've ever seen. Everything about a footballer's subconscious being put into words and images and in a beautiful way as well. Perfection

Roberto Firmino - it sounds odd I think at first bc his personality seems too happy go lucky to manage, but his style of play as a connecting striker, who held the ball, dished passes that showed genius vision, and was the first line of defense and consequently often the spring for counter attack fits the mold as he was a player who didn't have any striking physical attributes that he demonstrated regularly (outside of endurance, which all of these guys have). Klopp was another, albeit at a lower level of quality, team oriented player who had to use his brain to effectively contribute as a striker when he possessed few physical capabilities himself. The fact he comes from the position of having played as a striker versus the number of midfielders present is an interesting twist, and it makes me intrigued about a potential Firmino managed team. You could see him and his personality doing well managing the Brazil national team in an ideal world.

This concept is outlined very well by Nassim Nichola Taleb in his book, 'Antifragile'. The book argues some things thrive under stress and uncertainty, as unknown stressors can force re-evaliation and adept problem solving. The unplanned nature of the stress can force more adaptability and increase resilience. A slow footballer then learns quickly to deal with the stress of lacking speed, as well as the uncertainty of a fast flowing game of football, forcing the deicion making to become more concise and effective, and hence develop 'Footballing Empathy'. It's not for everyone, just as one lump of coal can be pressurised into a diamond, other lumps of coal are crushed into Dust. Hence these legendary footballers are 'Antifragile'. Great Video as always.

I wouldn't be surprised if Jorginho becomes a manager at the top level

I also realised something else which furthers the Pirlo and Gerrard flopping point. The successful managers you named played in multiple competitive leagues, whilst Pirlo and Gerrard only played in 1 competitive league.

A little surprised Michael Carrick didn't get a mention as one to keep an eye on

Amazing video👏🏾. One of your best. This is the future of football. Upcoming managers...very exciting

This is one of the most intuitively impressive videos you have ever made. It exudes intelligent research and an inspiring perspective.

Fantastic subject, I absolutely loved this video . Great work James

Great content James, we appreciate you upping your levels

Great video James. I really loved this one!

This style of video really is my favourite, Jim 👏🏻

I think it also about accepting your limitations and trying all avenues to overcome them. I have always been a fast player too fast for my touch and once I slowed down to understand the game my footballing iq benefited immensely. A lot of players despite playing different positions just don’t have the footballing empathy you talk about which is why I feel slow footballers in general benefit from having it.

It all goes back to Rinus Michels' idea of Total Football. Having technically good intelligent players who could adjust to different roles if and when needed instead of physical athletic specimens.

What a video. Class production!

What a great video. I'm a youth coach and i will be quoting a lot of this video because you explained it so intricately but also so simple kinda like the position you're talking about 😅 than you!

my finishing skills as a striker have become a strength as my coach dropped me into the left pockets as LCF and now my left foot rips rly good

Wheres Daniel Van Buyten and Martin Demichielles at when you need them

I'm curious about your thoughts on Russell Martin, he's quite divisive with his possession based football approach amongst English football fans and followers, but does he have what it takes to make it big with his approach? I don't really know that much about his playing career other than he was your average prem lower mid table workhorse (which incidentally makes him a good candidate for the type of player this video targets).

This is why I subscribe to this channel. Thoughtful and with a bit of nous can be applied outside of sport.

Cheers Jim, got a job interview tomorrow, gonna be nabbing some of these answers about a weakness turning into a strengh 💰

You forgot Ancelotti who was a world class player played in the same role and one of the greatest managers of all time. Vincent del bosque, Conte

Great video Jim, good listen

Really like this kind of video

Toni Kroos would be so so good if and when he decides to become a manager

Irony this video cam after xavi departure from barca, but great video. It seems they do have many in common. The difference was maybe about how to instil the right mentality on player(man management) not just how to play but to bring the best out of player and that what seperate them from the player on becoming good manager or not.

This is an interesting concept!

Fantastic video James. This man knows BALL. And finishes it with an uplifting inspiring speech love you Jimmy Jim you made my evening

Shelvey about to be Barcelona manager

If Xabi Alonso gets a team like Madrid, Inter or Bayern. We’re probably going to see one the the greatest teams in history

Great video James

The thumbnail is just perfect... Perfect, perfect, perfect

IF YOU LOVE THESE TYPES OF VIDEOS PLEASE SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON. GIVE THE VIDEO A CHANCE 👊❤️

Granit Xhaka already started completing his coaching badges in 2022. Xabi Alonso has described him as the head coach of the team on the pitch while he is the one on the sidelines. Would not be surprised to see him in some role later on at one of his former clubs. Either as an assistant or working with reserves or youth teams to begin with. His contract with Leverkusen ends in 2028 when Granit would be a 36-year-old, so we'll see what happens in the future.

Great video

the background music starting around 4:30 is 🔥

Brilliant video.

Surely its more to do with the fact midfielders are more exposed to team dynamics having been the glue that ties defence and attack? Basically priming them to have a holistic understanding of whats needed to win games. Ancelloti, Zidane are both some incredible managers that dont quite fit this mould as having physical weakness. Heck even Hoddle was ahead of his time as a coach. Ferguson, Cruyff, Clough, Bubsy, Bill Nich, Shankly and Michels all forwards/wingers by trade but probably had an understanding of how to optimise a team as they were focal points in their teams; how to get the ball to them etc. Ange as a fullback speaks very openly about how defence and midfield can influence attacks. I think this would make more sense when comparing to 'hero-ball' players like Messi, Maradonna, Neymar, Kaka, Ronaldinho (oddly Hoddle again) who would elevate teams further through sheer brilliance which is something that isnt really possible to coach/manage into players.

An excellent video but I’m afraid my mine takeaway is that Jim watches Johnny English

Good content

thomas muller becoming a manager after retiring "I am become death, destroyer of worlds"

It’s also worth nothing that Central Midfielders or DMs who were slow, may have had an advantage that other players in other positions who went on to become managers did not have. And that’s the ability and chance to see the entire pitch from a central position. In that no 4 role, anyone who has ever kicked a ball knows you can see the entire picture of the pitch from there, you essentially know where everyone is and should be. It’s also why their footballing empathy/IQ goes up a notch and they become better with age compared to strikers and maybe wingers. I’d also say that the other class of players who go on to become okay managers could be defenders (especially central ones who played in multiple positions).

Your best work

Perfect change of title.

Question What was the first truly modern game of football ever played? Modern in terms of the game being played with today's standard of skill, speed, physicality, and tactical awareness all across the pitch

I work in an auto engineering factory as a software engineer/ electrical engineer. I work closely with electrical and mechanical engineers and I’m expected to have high level engineering knowledge which I lack. So from day one I’ve focused heavily on the software engineering part of my job to point where they know of my gaps in knowledge but are happy to accommodate me as I provide much more in the software aspects. Was that or get sacked tbh 😂

this is the type of content I subscribed to JLA for. not the recycled podcast clips and all

OMG why is the camera always focussed on your microphone and not on your face? Is that intentional?

The ball moves faster than any player. Learn to use the ball effectively, and being slow doesn't matter any more. I played against a really top class youth team before. I was the best goalscorer between the two teams. My wingers were lightning quick, and good crossers. We should have dominated, but we didn't, because that other youth team were so smart with how they used the ball. They weren't faster than us, but we were knackered when they were still fresh as the game went on. We were demolished.

What a video 🎉

Anyone know what it takes to edit this level of video ?

As a fast player myself in my youth I can say for sure that being slow doesn’t mean you are physically weak and more important than physical speed is the thinking speed, exactly what they are highlighting in the video.

I think the issue with Pirlo, is that his coaching appears to be reliant on his players being as gifted as him, Pirlo is one of the greatest midfielders of all time. So most players in the world aren`t going to be anywhere close to as gifted as him as a footballer, only Rodri, KDB, Bernardo Silva, Jude, Camavinga, Musiala etc would be anywhere close to as talented as Pilo. I do think Xabi Alonso, Busquets and Fabregas can all become some of the best managers in the world if they all become managers, they are all very intelligent football players, and Xabi Alonso atleast does appear to focus on using the strengths of his players, and he appears to have very much a focus on space similarily to Pep.

Footballing empathy. I love this term. That’s brilliant

This isn't a new thing either. Franz Beckenbauer, Didier Deschamps, Antonio Conte, Fabio Capello, Carlo Ancelotti, all of them played defensive midfield in their careers. Then there's outliers, Mourinho and Sacchi never played professionally, Klopp played every position at Mainz but is the best coach in world football.

I wonder what Joey Bartons football empathy score would be.

When I was younger I always thought busquets was overrated simply because of his physicality and simplicity. But I’ve realised when growing up that this is why football is the best sport: it doesn’t matter how fast, strong you are you will have a place in football

Mayb it's physical fitness then n it's slow also??

Football EmPaThY, for us normal people it's called IQ. IQ means the ability to notice parts quickly and adapt to it. That is why players who lack pace and power use their brains much more to read the game. In fact this can be applied to any thing in life.

Being a playmaker is what makes a good manager. Box to box midfielders no good, stickers no good and defenders okay. But DM and CAM/playmaker pull the strings.

snubbed enzo in the opening graphic

I know David Villa wasn't a 6 nor did he lack pace, but do you reckon he fits the footballing empathy mould as well? (Imo, he is THE most Pep footballer)

I'd say there's an argument that rather than it being about slow, thoughtful central midfielders it's more about midfielders raised with a Spanish education. I don't think the argument you present against Pirlo and Gerrard is strong enough, they weren't taught the football of Pep, Arteta, Alonso etc. The defining characteristic of the more 'successful' managers is that they all connected to Spanish footballing philosophy. The things a Cruyffian midfielder needs to think about is more distinct to that of an Italian or Englishman. Luis Enrique was a more energetic attacking midfielder, which also supports this argument.

Wasn't Postecoglu a fullback? Makes sense why he is heavy intensity and not so systematic

Olivier Giroud is about to be the GOAT manager 😅🐢

Busquets, Fabregas and Jorginho are some of the few great players that are gonna be wonderful managers

= Kalvin Phillips for next England World Cup winning manager?

Its not about being slow : “mediocre players make great managers” reason beings that the great players do somethings that is so instinctive to themselves that that cant teach them to others

I guess Toni Kroos is a future great manager

Fabregas managing Barca may be a possibility in tbe future

The same reason why highly intelligent people may find it challenging to break down complex ideas into simpler, more digestible parts. Coaching often requires the ability to explain concepts in a way that others can easily understand, and this skill may not come naturally to world class footballers, such as Maradona, Messi, Ronaldo e.t.c

per mertersack, giroud, xabi alonso and busquets in 2032 semi finals, we will be there

Per mertesacker where are you at?

Pass based football is a southern european trait. Klopp is an example of a northern european coach: run based football.

Zizou as well

Just wait till Mertesacker gets involved in management

The fact you ignored Ancelotti is almost criminal.

Very interesting. Im 36 now and used to play at a decent level, semi pro. Im now older so just have a kick about once a week with a bunch of lads from work. 7 a side and all over 30. Im always amazed at the absolute lack of football intelligence on show, its just zero composure and complete lack of awareness. Such basic decision making that my sunday league team had when we were like 7 or 8 years old that these blokes dont have

Kroos too can become worldclass manager

Pirlo: I'm slow yet..😢

A weakness that I turned into a strength? Morning wood.

Toni kroos in the future🔥🔥

How good will Rodri be as a boss one day

Harry Kane a prime example due to lack of pace his shooting became world class due to lack of pace

This is an example of collider bias: Knowing that Xabi Alonso was an elite midfielder without great physicality, he must have had a very high football IQ. And of course, football IQ is more important than pace when it comes to managing.

Lampard and Gerrard

Thomas Müller - hold my Raumdeuter

Thiago Alcantara will be a good manager aswell as Mesut Ozil with this metric I hope they do but we won't know until they do

Per mertesacker glow up incoming

The way jorginho keeps getting disrespected is funny. Now watch him become the next pep of his generation.

Antonie from West Ham gonna be the most genius manager in history

klopp giggling at pace😆😃😄😄

You forgot the slowest of them all. Don Carlo Ancelloti.