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What qualities make for a good assistant?
Every head coach needs reliable support from their right-hand woman or man. We asked three head coaches what they look for in selecting a sideline partner.
’TRUST AND SUPPORT ARE SO IMPORTANT’
"I have been both an assistant coach, at Watford Women’s U23s, and also a head coach working with an assistant, at Sydney University SFC.
"Assistant coaches fly mostly under the radar. But that is no reflection of their abilities and attributes.
"Jurgen Klopp once called his former assistant Zeljko Buvac the ’brain’ in his coaching team, while Jose Mourinho faltered when his long-term assistant Rui Faria left to pursue an independent career after a 17-year working relationship.
"But what is the art of an assistant coach? I believe the two most important key roles are trust and support.
"In terms of creating a relationship with a head coach, trust is vital. A manager has to have full confidence in the assistant.
"It is important to be able to challenge each other, while also reaching positive outcomes when there is debate to be had.
"A head coach and assistant do not always have to agree, but they do have to be able to put their differences aside to make the best decisions for the team.
"Trust and freedom to voice opinions, and the ability to listen intently, all in a safe environment, while still feeling valued, is huge.
"It is also important for the assistant to offer a balanced support role. They must be a leader in front of players, but a servant and support to the head coach.
"The flexibility and adaptability to be able to switch those roles is a flourishing challenge."
Amy Shepherd
Head coach, Sydney University SFC
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’a team’s eyes and ears’
"The most effective assistant coaches are thoughtful, analytical, and detail-oriented.
"While the head coach may be caught up in the big picture with their eyes glued to the pitch, great assistant coaches will be constantly scanning from the field to the bench to the scorer’s table, taking mental notes and planning one step ahead.
"They are attentive to how individual players on the field are performing and how those on the bench are behaving.
"They are the eyes and ears of the team, relaying important information to the head coach and having individual conversations with players on the sidelines when necessary.
"Their ability to notice small things and to relay patterns in performance and behavior from the players to the head coach makes them the glue of the team.
"Their ability to do this consistently can really help a program reach new levels."
Fiona Walsh
Assistant women’s soccer coach, Clark University
Head coach, Worcester Smiles FC
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’bridge gap to players’
"Assistant coaches play such an important role, no matter what level.
"One important role of the assistant coach is being able to balance out the head coach. It is important for me to have a relationship with an assistant where we can balance each other out and that isn’t afraid to propose new ideas.
"Another important trait is for the assistant coach to bridge the gap between the head coach and the players, through building relationships in a professional manner."
Natalie Dreyer
Head coach, University of the Ozarks Women
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