Player Care: The Key to Success at Manchester United

Player Care: Beyond the Playing Field

Every day, Manchester United footballers head to the training facilities on Birch Road. After greeting fans and getting past the access barriers, they park and prepare for work. But what happens once they leave their vehicles and enter the building? The answer: the player care department. This team is responsible for ensuring that each team member has everything they need off the field, allowing them to perform at their best on it. This comprehensive approach is not exclusive to Manchester United, but a growing trend in the Premier League, where clubs invest in the well-being of their players.

What Player Care Entails?

While the coach focuses on what happens on the training ground, the player care department takes care of the rest. From personal matters to adaptation problems, this team handles a wide range of needs. Hugo Scheckter, an expert in player care, explains that it’s about everything that affects a player outside of the football and medical field.

“We are trying to be that resource where they can eliminate the stress of life to focus on football.”

Hugo Scheckter

The job can include anything from helping players find housing and schools for their children, to dealing with emergencies like car accidents. A curious example is a player’s request to scare away a bird that was scaring his girlfriend. The importance of this department lies in its ability to anticipate problems and address them before they affect the player’s performance. The goal is for the footballers to leave their worries at the door and be able to concentrate on the game.

A Holistic Approach to Success

Clubs are increasingly recognizing the importance of player care to gain a competitive advantage. The player care department is often the first to detect signs of problems, allowing for early intervention. Communication between the player care team, coaching staff, and medical personnel is key to a comprehensive approach. Investment in this department varies between clubs, but effectiveness largely depends on how seriously the coach and their team take it. Some coaches adopt a holistic approach, including the player care team in performance meetings, which allows for more effective problem-solving. Furthermore, with football becoming increasingly globalized, player care teams play a crucial role in helping new players adapt to the country. This includes collaboration with other clubs and the creation of support networks for players’ families. The ultimate goal of the player care team is to keep the footballers happy and free from worries, allowing them to focus on their performance on the field. This can include everything from helping with personal paperwork to addressing family issues. The work of the player care team often goes unnoticed, but sometimes their work becomes evident. An example is when the West Ham player care team decorated the locker room with photos of the players’ childhoods, which resulted in a victory. Whether assisting with punctuality issues or dealing with unusual situations, the ultimate goal is the same: to ensure that the athletes are in their best possible shape.