Manchester United: Player Care, Key to Premier League Success

Player Care: Beyond the Playing Field

Every day, Manchester United players head to the Carrington training facilities. After greeting fans and getting past the access barriers, they park in front of the iconic “Manchester United” sign and head to the first team car park. Once inside, in the “players’ corridor”, there is an office with a fundamental purpose: player care. This department, essential for performance on the field, is responsible for ensuring that each team member has everything they need off the field. This comprehensive approach, increasingly common in the Premier League, seeks to have players leave their problems at the door and focus on football.

What Player Care Entails?

If the coach takes care of what happens on the field, the player care department takes care of the rest. From personal issues to the management of everyday problems, this team becomes an essential resource. Hugo Scheckter, an expert in player care, explains that his goal is to address everything that affects a player outside of the football and medical field.

It’s about the person, not just the player. It encompasses personal development and life skills, to mental well-being and relocation management. We seek to eliminate stress so they can focus on football.

Hugo Scheckter, Player Care Expert

Scheckter, with experience at clubs like West Ham and Brentford, and founder of the Player Care Group, has helped players with various needs, from finding housing and schools for their children to resolving emergencies. He has even mediated in unusual situations, such as a player’s request to scare away a bird that was bothering his partner. These small actions, although they may seem insignificant, can significantly influence the player’s performance.

The player care team can identify the first signs of problems. With a proactive approach, clubs seek to anticipate difficulties, managing them effectively. Investment in this department varies by club, with teams ranging from one or two employees to more than five. The effectiveness of the department largely depends on the seriousness with which the coach and his technical team address this area.

Benefits and Comprehensive Approach

Including the player care team in performance meetings offers clear advantages. It allows for a comprehensive approach, where the nutritionist, physical trainers, and coaching staff can address the player’s needs in a coordinated manner. For example, if a player loses weight, the team can identify the cause and offer solutions such as meal delivery or hiring a chef.

In modern football, the player care team also helps new players adapt to the country. It is not unusual for departments to contact their counterparts in rival clubs, especially if they have players of the same nationality, to share information and facilitate the integration of families.

The role of the player care team often extends beyond the players. The well-being of their partners and families is also a priority. Clubs are increasingly investing in family programs to address the challenges of moving to a new country. The goal is to keep players happy and prevent them from wanting to leave. The player care team strives to keep players happy, but without going overboard. The goal is to eliminate the stress of daily life so that players can focus on training and matches.

Often, the player care team works in the background, but sometimes their work is crucial. An example is West Ham, where the player care department used photos from the players’ childhood to motivate them and achieve a victory. The ultimate goal is to ensure that athletes are in their best form, whether addressing punctuality issues, the pressures of the game, or even a persistent bird.