Every
manager seeks the man in control of this aspect of the club to not only be
competent in the medical area but a father figure/confidant/counsellor and
more. Every player is human and often needs comfort and reassurance.
After
injury and during recovery the treatment table can become a confessional were
the player not only seeks recovery but assurances.
A
physio’s bedside manner is important as his medical knowledge when injured
players need to be nursed back to fitness with the compassion of a Florence
Nightingale!
Managers
and coaches want a player back fit. But the trust in him must be paramount.
There
are occasions when vital players are risked when less than 100% fit, but the
guidance of the Physio must be based on trust and longer possibilities of
breakdown.
The
manager and physio relationship is probably one of the most unique and
important partnerships within a back room staff a very close one that is second
only to the assistant manager.
A
role that involves much more than treating knocks and strains and easing aches
and pains and many encompassing factors to the role.
The
relationship between a football manager and his physiotherapist is a bit like a
marriage, I suppose if it is going to work, it has to be based on mutual trust,
respect and understanding.
There are bound to be tiffs along the way-one party
standing the ground over a point of discipline, perhaps knowing how to handle
the youngsters-but a sound relationship will help them ride the storm. Too many
rocky patches, however due to personality clashes or differing opinions and it
just won’t last the distance.
The
ideal gaffer, from a physio’s point of view is one of patience and
understanding and gives your medical team total responsibility and allowing
players to return in the safest possible time. One who also knows not to ask
them to many questions!
Any
footballer will tell you if any players have any problems or grievances the
physio is their comforting ear.
They
will usually speak to the manager if we think it is relevant and necessary.
I
don’t tell them everything. It is important you communicate they never
pressurise me we always talk and have a chat either prior to a match or even
before training.
He
will ask me the situation I will tell him the ones that can’t play or the ones
that shouldn’t train etc. They listen obviously they want them fit for
Saturday.
Over
the years we have seen many a high-profile manager fallout with their physios
including Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, Roberto Martinez when Everton
manager, Gerald Houllier at Liverpool and Peter Reid whom on interviewing a
physio would ask them if they like a drink.
Reid
liked to socialise with his staff the night before and after games. He was well
known for his fall outs with many a medical man including Roy Bailey who he
showed the door to at Manchester City ending 23 years in the job. Falling out
with many physio when manager of Sunderland.
The
former Everton boss David Moyes described landing the services of Preston North
End physio Mick Rathbone as his best ever signing at Everton.
A manager needs
someone who is speedily able to diagnose an injury a profound medical knowledge
an ability to get players fit which absolutely vital in the treatment of
professional footballers. Also, to have a pleasant outgoing demeanour,
compassion, the ability to relate to people, confidence and knowledge.
The
physio is a part of the management and part of the players - a football man but
the secret is to keep out of the football don’t get involved and get on with
your own job.
Leaving
the football to the managers and coaches the players can have complete trust in
you.
Not
an easy tight rope to walk. At the same time, you have to understand football
and footballers but stay out of the hysteria of results.
A
physio is like an agony aunt and managers have learnt not to ask us to many
questions.
However,
like Derek Wright at Newcastle United we have both seen a number of managers
come and go during our respective careers.
I’ve
had 19 in total all very different whilst not naming names I have had my
frustrations compared to Derek’s 25.
Us
physios are the team behind the team and match days are the most special as
well as stressful.
Player
care must come first even though a return to play is vital to the club. Thus,
it is absolutely essential that that the Physio has a great relationship with
the manager you have to slightly change the way you work and adapt. How they
want you to communicate with them?
What
boundaries do they put in place! What information do they want you to give
them?
Some
want to know absolutely everything; others want selected decisive information.
Can
he train, can’t he train, when will he be available to play? Is he fit yes or
no.
Also,
they can make the important decisions. Others want to know if we do this can he
join in on a certain day then they may make the game.
I
have had some managers who hardly talk to you and just want the injury list of
who is available and leave you get on with it.
However,
this is rare, especially when the star striker gets injured and they are under
pressure.
They
don’t leave you alone. So, these problems have to be agreed since each manager
is different, but all want the injured players back as soon as possible.
The
communication aspect is vital managers are always looking for the championship,
promotion, play- offs a good cup run or even more urgently survival and they
will usually prefer a nearly fit star rather than an up and coming youngster.
It’s
important to let the manager have the facts as you see them, and not what he
would like to hear, and give your views as advice upon which he may act or not.
A
manager may play a player that you feel is not quite right. But that does not
mean he is overruling your view; he has to make a decision based on advice from
many sources against complex backgrounds.
I
remember a coach saying that a particular player was worth having in the team
even when carrying a slight problem, and I understand what he meant.
So,
it is not all black and white. For a manager it is one of the most important
parts of a football club. But not detached from the other aspects of the game.
It is just as important as the tactical, physical and physiological elements of
football, but importantly these all have to function correctly and together.
An
area which can lift you to win a trophy, but at the same time not done
correctly can cause a team to fail.
For
a manager his priority is his of the field team people who not only know the
business but are honest loyal and devoted to the ultimate cause winning, who
have an aversion to anyone outside the coaching staff wanting to be a tactical
expert and getting carried away on the touchline. That is the prerogative of
the manager and his coaches.
I
have always let them do the ranting and raving preferring to be a wise owl
carrying out my work calmly, quietly and complete serenity.
Many
times, managers have needed me as much as the players and many other occasions
needed my multi skills, but these remain amongst ourselves what goes on in the
dressing room stays in the dressing room.
Players
with respect come and go but good off the field teams are the heartbeat.
Your
job title gives a narrow view of your function and being a member of the staff
team is probably more accurate. “I probably couldn’t say I have enjoyed every
minute, but most of the time I have loved it. It’s been a fantastic journey. A
good physio can be your best ever signing a bad one gets you sacked,” Sam
Allardyce once said.
(Gavin Blackwell has been involved in the game for over
30 years and has shown great dedication during that time as the physio for a
handful of local non-League clubs, most notably Halesowen Town, but also
Oldbury United, Tividale, Stourbridge and Hednesford Town, as well as assisting
the Wolves academy and WBA reserves.) |