Do real football managers throw water bottles?

Football, often termed the ‘beautiful game’, is not just about the players on the field; it’s equally about the strategies, emotions, and actions of the managers off the field.

Football managers, known for their passionate involvement in the game, sometimes express their emotions in intense ways, including the infamous act of throwing water bottles.

This behavior, while seemingly trivial, holds significant importance in understanding the pressures and psychological aspects of football management.

Why is this topic important?

Football is more than a sport; it’s a global phenomenon that influences millions.

The actions of football managers are closely scrutinized and often set the tone for public perception and behavior in sports. Analyzing why managers resort to actions like throwing water bottles opens a window into the high-pressure world of professional football.

It also sheds light on the psychological challenges faced by these individuals and the broader implications for sportsmanship and professional conduct.

In this article, we delve deep into various aspects of this behavior, from historical incidents to psychological analyses, exploring the multifaceted nature of football management and what it teaches us about human behavior under pressure.

 

The Early Days of Football Management

In the early days of football, the role of a manager was vastly different from today.

Initially focused more on administrative tasks, the emotional involvement of managers in the game was less visible. As the sport evolved, so did the role of the manager, becoming more intertwined with the team’s performance and public persona.

 

Evolution of Managerial Conduct

Over the decades, the conduct of football managers has become a point of interest and analysis.

The transformation from mere tactical roles to being the emotional backbone of a team has led to a more visible display of emotions, including frustration and anger, often culminating in actions like throwing water bottles.

 

What Triggers Water Bottle Throwing?

The psychological underpinnings of a manager’s behavior in high-stress sports environments are multifaceted and deeply rooted in human psychology.

Factors such as stress, the burden of expectations, and emotional investment in the game contribute significantly to their reactions. This can be understood through the lens of psychological concepts like emotional regulation and the fight-or-flight response.

 

Stress and the Fight-or-Flight Response

Under high-pressure situations, such as a closely contested football match, the body’s natural fight-or-flight response can be triggered. This response, a fundamental survival mechanism, results in a surge of adrenaline and other stress hormones.

It prepares the body for physical action, which in the context of a football manager, might manifest as throwing objects like water bottles. This reaction is an innate, physiological response to perceived threats or extreme stress, as explained in the field of psychoneuroendocrinology (1).

 

2. Cognitive Appraisal Theory

This psychological theory suggests that an individual’s perception of a situation greatly influences their emotional reaction (2).

In a high-stakes game, a manager’s cognitive appraisal of critical moments – like a referee’s call or a missed opportunity – can lead to intense emotional responses.

If the situation is appraised as threatening to their goals (e.g., winning the game), it can elicit strong emotions like anger or frustration, which might result in throwing objects as a form of emotional release.

 

3. Emotional Regulation and Sports Psychology

The concept of emotional regulation is pivotal in understanding a manager’s behavior.

It involves the processes by which individuals influence which emotions they have, when they have them, and how they experience and express these emotions (3). In sports psychology, the ability to regulate emotions effectively is crucial for optimal performance.

Yet, in moments of high tension, even experienced managers may struggle with emotional regulation, leading to impulsive actions like throwing water bottles.

 

4. The Burden of Expectations and Psychological Pressure

The role of a football manager comes with immense expectations – from fans, players, and the club.

This burden can create significant psychological pressure, impacting their mental state during a game.

The Yerkes-Dodson law, a well-established psychological principle, posits that performance increases with physiological or mental arousal but only up to a point (4). When the level of stress becomes too high, performance decreases. In the context of a football manager, excessive pressure can impair decision-making and emotional control, potentially leading to outbursts.

 

5. Emotional Investment and Attachment Theory

The emotional investment of a manager in their team and the game can be understood through attachment theory, which explains how emotional bonds and relationships affect behavior (5).

A manager’s deep emotional connection to their team and the game can heighten their responses to match situations, leading to intense expressions of emotion, such as throwing water bottles, especially in moments where they perceive a threat to their team’s success.

 

6. Game Pressure and Stress

The pressure of ensuring team success, coupled with the immediate need for tactical decisions, creates a high-stress environment.

This stress can sometimes reach a boiling point, resulting in outbursts. Throwing a water bottle can be a release of pent-up frustration and a reaction to the immediate stress of the game.

 

Famous Water Bottle Incidents in Football History

Here are some incidents where football managers have thrown or kicked water bottles:

• José Mourinho: The Manchester United manager faced a possible touchline ban after being sent off for kicking a water bottle during a match. This incident highlighted Mourinho’s intense reactions to in-game situations. Read more on The Guardian
• Pep Guardiola: The Manchester City manager kicked a water bottle that hit a coach in the Leeds dugout. Guardiola’s action was a response to his team missing a scoring opportunity, and he promptly ran over to apologize for the incident. Read more on Mirror
• Unai Emery: The Arsenal manager was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after kicking a water bottle into the crowd at a match against Brighton. This incident was a significant moment in Emery’s tenure at Arsenal. Read more on talk SPORT
• Jose Mourinho (Another Incident): Mourinho celebrated a winning goal by kicking a basket of water bottles over, then hurling another over his shoulder in a match involving Manchester United. Read more on The Independent
• Arsène Wenger: Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger was known for his water bottle-based incidents, including being sent off for kicking a water bottle during a Premier League match. Read more on BBC Sport
• Neil Lennon: Neil Lennon, known for his intense management style, once took his frustration out on a water carrier holding six bottles, showcasing a significant display of emotion. Read more on Yahoo Sports
• Marco Silva: Fulham manager Marco Silva was charged after throwing a water bottle in the direction of the assistant referee during an FA Cup quarter-final match against Manchester United. Read more on Sky Sports
• Jurgen Klopp: Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, admitted that he should not have thrown a water bottle during a Premier League match against Arsenal, where Liverpool salvaged a 3-3 draw. Klopp’s reaction, slamming a water bottle into the ground, came after Roberto Firmino leveled the score in a game where Liverpool had previously lost a 2-0 lead. Read more on Independent

These incidents reflect the high-pressure environment in which football managers operate, often leading to emotional outbursts such as throwing or kicking water bottles.

 

FIFA and UEFA Guidelines

International football bodies like FIFA and UEFA have set specific guidelines for sideline behavior.

These rules are designed to maintain sportsmanship and decorum during matches. Understanding these guidelines provides context for what is deemed acceptable behavior for football managers.

These guidelines are likely to cover aspects such as:

• The behavior of team officials, including managers, within the technical area.
• Restrictions on leaving the technical area and entering the field of play.
• Guidelines on interactions with match officials, opposing team members, and spectators.
• Consequences for misconduct, which may include cautions, ejections, or further disciplinary actions.

UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, Edition 2022: This document likely contains detailed information about the disciplinary actions and regulations that UEFA enforces, which would include the conduct of football managers. UEFA Disciplinary Regulations PDF

Code of Conduct – Protect the Game (UEFA): UEFA has a code of conduct that sets out guiding principles for all players, referees, clubs, and other officials on issues surrounding the integrity of football. This code of conduct would encompass the behavior of football managers. UEFA Code of Conduct PDF

Regulations FIFA World Cup 2022™: These regulations include compliance with the FIFA Statutes, the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and the FIFA Code of Ethics, which would govern the behavior of all participants, including football managers. FIFA World Cup 2022 Regulations PDF

European Football Adopts Code of Conduct on Integrity: This article discusses the UEFA Executive Committee’s approval of a code of conduct, which includes principles for players, referees, clubs, and other officials, likely covering football managers as well. Read more on UEFA

Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct (The FA): While specific to the Football Association, this law provides insights into what constitutes misconduct in football, which can be relevant for understanding the general expectations for football manager behavior. Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct

When managers violate these guidelines, such as by throwing water bottles, they may face consequences ranging from fines to suspensions. These repercussions underscore the importance of maintaining professional conduct, even under intense pressure.

 

FAQs

---

Why do football managers sometimes throw water bottles?

Throwing water bottles is often a physical manifestation of stress, frustration, and the high-pressure environment in which football managers operate.

What are the consequences of such behavior?

Consequences can range from fines to suspensions, depending on the severity and context, as outlined by governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA.

How does this behavior impact the team and fans?

Such actions can affect team morale and influence fans’ perceptions, often leading to a broader discussion about sportsmanship and professional conduct.

Are there effective strategies for managing such stress?

Yes, strategies include psychological support, stress management training, and mindfulness practices, which are increasingly being recognized as essential for high-pressure roles like football management.

How does the media influence the perception of these incidents?

Media portrayal can significantly shape public opinion, either amplifying the negative aspects or providing a more nuanced understanding of the pressures faced by managers.

What role do cultural differences play in the acceptance of this behavior?

Cultural norms greatly influence how such emotional outbursts are perceived, with some cultures being more tolerant than others.

How important is the role of a football manager as a role model?

As public figures and role models, football managers have a significant impact on their fans, especially young ones, underscoring the importance of ethical conduct.

Can training programs help managers in handling emotional outbursts?

Training programs focused on emotional intelligence and stress management can be very effective in helping managers control their reactions in high-pressure situations.

What future trends are emerging in football management?

Trends include a greater emphasis on mental health, the evolving role of the manager beyond just tactical decisions, and the integration of psychological support in sports.

What advice do experts give for managing emotions in high-pressure situations?

Experts recommend techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, and developing a support system to manage emotions effectively in high-pressure environments.