Football managers’ authority is being eroded – Sir Gareth Southgate

He argues that such structures are now essential for a head coach; “they have neither the time nor, in many cases, the specialist expertise to manage complex player contracts, oversee global observation networks, or run complex data operations.”

While some fans believe being a head coach rather than a manager reduces his workload, the 55-year-old says the “exact opposite is true” given “bigger squads, bigger backroom teams, much greater analytical demands and ever-increasing media and commercial obligations”.

“With the complexity of managing today’s players (many of whom are actually individual brands), the financial risks for clubs and the incessant scrutiny of both traditional and social media, there is a significant melting pot of issues and pressure,” he added.

“My belief is that we need to embrace a modernized version of the traditional manager, where we get to know the people they lead, manage and coach.

“As I once told my bosses in England: players are not magnets that can be easily moved around on the tactical board.

“They are people. And managing that reality is at the heart of modern football leadership.”

But Southgate, who was in charge of Middlesbrough and the England Under-21s before managing England from 2016 to 2024, admitted that different titles had led to a “slight, sometimes unintentional shift in power and status” and that when he was offered the role of England head coach he “insisted on changing his title to manager”.

He said this was necessary to project the “authority, influence and control” he would need in the role.