While some view the distinction as meaningless, other teams—like Millwall—are becoming more and more eager to clarify the main man’s role.
According to STEVE Kavanagh, Joe Edwards has been dubbed “head coach” instead of “manager” to reflect the evolving role of the position in contemporary football.
Unlike when Gary Rowett was hired four years ago, Millwall has been careful not to use the word “manager” in any of their press releases regarding their new boss, who was hired on Monday.
It continues a trend started by several teams in recent years who, despite the manager’s role evolving, have chosen to maintain the title of “head coach.”
In the modern era of football, new roles have been created that have shifted some responsibility away from the man in the dugout. In the past, individuals like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal would literally manage multiple elements of their club.
Although many in the football industry still use the two titles interchangeably, Millwall CEO Kavanagh stated that the team has chosen to refer to Edwards as “head coach” in order to clarify his role.
“He’s in charge of first-team football matters and he’s there to make sure the team delivers on the pitch,” he said to NewsAtDen. In contemporary football, what happens is that the coach becomes overburdened with tasks that others can perform, freeing him up to concentrate on the first team- [the head coach title] is probably more recognising that.
Giving that person the freedom to do what you want them to do requires a larger team effort behind the scenes. which is to lead the team, get the starting squad to play in a manner that [fits] his vision, and achieve success on the field. You want them to act in that way.
Assistant head coach Andy Myers has joined Edwards at The Den, while backroom staff members Adam Barrett and Andy Marshall have been kept on.
Paul Robinson, the first-team coach, has mutually agreed to leave the Lions, the team announced last night.
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