THE NEW BOSS

Gone are the days of Alex Ferguson's famous 'hair-dryer' treatment of players; there is a new style of manager emerging in England.

- Mark Gleeson

Football is a game in constant evolution, with all aspects being analysed, revised and reconditioned almost daily in pursuit of success. It is all about finding ways to win, to be ahead of the curve or one step ahead of the pack.

Tactical trends are constantly shifting, the profile of the ideal player is also changing and, in more recent times, the style of leadership is coming under increased focus and examination.

Rapidly going out of fashion is the old-style manager, particularly in English football, where new ideas were traditionally kept at a distance, but since the advent of the Premier League some three decades ago, have moved to embrace new concepts and be at the forefront of innovation.

This season sees the increase in the new-style 'graduate' manager, suitably skilled to take on the challenges of a changing world... and deal with, teach and motivate the new-style player.

The 'hair-dryer' days of a Sir Alex Ferguson or boozy eccentricities of a Brian Clough are fast fading as new ideas and approaches are introduced.