Two-thirds of coaches, technical directors, head of youth in football feel high-pressure

Two-thirds of all football managers, technical directors, and heads of youth development in professional football deal with high work pressure. Around half of them are in need of extra support in how to deal with this, interest association Coaches Betaald Voetbal (CBV) reported based on a survey with just under 165 participants in mainly the two professional Dutch football leagues, the Eredivisie and the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.

Long working hours, few moments of rest, and high demands are the main reasons for the high work pressure, according to the CBV. Around half of the people surveyed said that this stress is present throughout the whole season.

People working as head of youth development are said to experience the highest work pressure, followed by the team managers and technical directors. Assistant managers and scouts also took part in the study.

“Now it is time for the footballing landscape to become more conscious of this, change the culture in football, and that all entities and employees work on this and make an effort to reduce the work pressure,” CBV director Mario Captein stated.

It was reported last week that Arnold Bruggink had decided to step down from his position of technical director at the Eredivisie club FC Twente due to the impact that the job was having. “This job goes on for 24 hours a day, and it never stops,” the former footballer said.