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A debate has been raging in the sports scene on what factors are considered when it comes to determining the most outstanding coaches. Sports fans and commentators have listed some of the factors such as titles, overall records, and number of wins, however, pundits point out that greatness goes beyond numbers. Inspiration and adapting to evolving games are considered the most important factors.
Some coaches have done this; they have motivated their players to achieve the greatest. The masterminds have overcome challenges including what we all know as the Benfica curse, to emerge victorious in their national leagues as well as at the international arena. In this article, we will explore some of the most outstanding coaches in the history of sports.
In any sport, the coach is such a significant figure that any problems with him can turn into dire results, and the “Benfica Curse” is proof of that. The curse is linked to a former Benfica coach Bela Guttmann, who led the team to two consecutive European titles. However, he had a dispute with the club over his salary leading to his departure.
He declared that Benfica would not lift any European title for the next one hundred years. True to his word, Benfica has reached the European finals several times but has yet to win a title since then. Some believe in the curse while others dismiss the Benfica fortunes as just fate. Whether this is true or not, there is evidence that a coach can have a tremendous influence on how a team performs.
Alex Ferguson
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In the soccer sphere, Alex Ferguson is an icon. He is not only regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time but also as a manager with most titles to his name. Alex stayed at Manchester United, for a record 26 years. During this period, he won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League cups, and several FA Cup titles among other accolades.
He goes into football history as one of the most famous sports coaches, not just in the UK but also in the world. Fegurson’s ability to rebuild and adapt to Manchester United over the years, combined with his tactical acumen made him a legendary figure in the game. Since his departure, Manchester United has never been the same, the team has been struggling in the Local and international leagues. Could there be a curse or is it just fate, this is a story for another day.
Jose Mourinho
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As Manchester United Evening News once put it “anything Jose Mourinho touches turns into gold.” Mourinho has been in several clubs, some when they were at the bottom but by the time he was leaving, the team had risen to the top.
Talk of his stay at Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Chelsea, his performance went down into the records as one of the best. The coach turned around the fortunes of these clubs, inspiring his players to be at their best culminating in lifting some of the coveted titles in the European leagues.
Phil Jackson
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In the world of basketball, Phil Jackson is in the leagues of football coaching masterminds, Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho. Nicknamed the Zen Master, his coaching career has seen him bag eleven NBA titles with just a single team, the Chicago Bulls, he lifted five with the LA Lakers among others. His unique strategies coupled with mixing techniques with principles of team unity and mindfulness have revolutionized the game as well as set new coaching standards.
Vince Lombardi
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Vince Lombardi’s name is synonymous with success in the world of American football. The coach led Green Bay Packers to five championships in the 1960s of which two were from the prestigious Super Bowls.
Other famous coaches in the sports sphere include:
• Bill Belichick in NFL
• John Wooden in College Basketball
• Scotty Bowman in Ice Hockey
• Tony La Russa in Basketball
They say behind every successful athlete there is an outstanding coach who behind the scenes orchestrates the victory. These masterminds inspire the players, motivating them to perform better and lift their names as well as teams high.
