FCA XVenture College

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Dealing with criticism

As I write this, it’s Mental Health month in Australia.  As someone who has been developing programs to help the elite and grass roots in health, business and sport in improving resilience skills for nearly 30 years, the biggest single challenge which needs careful management is the incredible criticism which coaches and players receive after one under par performance.  Make it a couple and the loud, often vitriolic calls for sackings and droppings are incredible.  For the rest of us, we have safety nets at home and work for dealing with our mistakes.  

 I’ve often said that football coaching is inhumane. Hence, keeping an eye on Arnie  to provide well-being support, act as a trusted confidant, provide suggestions and advice on how to deal with difficult moments is one of the key aspects of our relationship. It’s worked for the last six years.

In the final 32 teams, one team who was constantly dismissed as a failure. Australia.  The team, the performances and mostly the coach was regularly criticised often brutally by media, expert supporters, and the local football community.

After Japan the team were ridiculed and laughed at.  After a game in Saudi Arabia which we lost, the coach was savaged for the performance.   Trolled on social media and often in the streets too.  

Then to add more fuel to the fire, Arnie coached two of the World Cup games from a computer after receiving false positive covid tests. As someone who works in supporting people to achieve higher performance levels and or struggling with moments of anxiety and deep sadness, I must say I was most concerned about how Arnie could cope with all this.  However, he’s a resilient creature, and with his trusted team,  Sarah his wife and his family supporting him, he got through this.  

I’ve read and seen interviews and documentaries with the likes of Bobby Robson, the late England manager. Kevin Keegan and  Ange Postecoglou.  They reference the international job as being incredibly difficult. Building harmony with players and staff,  balancing the relationships between club and country, dealing with the enormous level of administration both domestically and overseas, performing at the highest level with the most extraordinary travel schedules, all under the media and supporter microscope and the often-unrealistic expectations is something that no one prepares you for.  

Technical and Tactical Capability

Whatever people think of Graham Arnold, those that know him know he’s a very good football coach. His football knowledge and track record speak for itself. Of course, there are people who don’t like him but ask the players who are part of his winning teams; ask those who work with him and for him;  and ask the supporters whose team he represents. He’s a straight shooter so some people struggle with his assertive style.  He’s a “spade is a spade” communicator which sometimes puts people offside.  But listen to the message and it’s typically clear.  I personally see Arnie at his best in a footballing sense at half time in the dressing room. When there’s only a short window, and we need to adapt to a situation he’s  succinct and clear. In big moments, he seems to cut through the noise. This is key. Being a calmer version of himself is something he himself would admit is a work in progress.  However, the passion he brings to the work we do is also infectious. 

Having Guus Hiddinck with us in the two games against New Zealand was wonderful.  Not only did he contribute with some special moments, but it confirmed what I already knew.  Guus Hiddink, one of the top international coaches over the last few decades confirmed that Graham Arnold is in fact one excellent football coach.   One that the Country should be proud of rather than a target.   For those who are fortunate to be part of the World Cup experience we wouldn’t want anyone else to be our leader and Socceroos coach. 

Final thoughts

Graham Arnold has come a long way from his humble beginning in South Sydney and his education in   international football, coaching licences, and coaching winning and losing teams.  That’s part of the territory.  Coaches of the future need to embrace and build skills beyond the technical and tactical aspects of the game.  Arnie has and continues to do just that. A coach of lifelong learning, leading our team to the World Cup.

Many Journeys; One Jersey.  Our Strength is Our Desire to Win.

YOU CAN NOW GET ACCESS TO ALL OF MIKE CONWAY'S TOOLS, TECHNIQUES AND RESEARCH HE USES IN HIS WORK BY SIGNING UP TO THE FCA XV ESSENTIAL SKILLS PROGRAM. CHECK OUT THIS MONTH'S 2 -4-1 OFFER HERE

MIKE CONWAY IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF KEY NOTE SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, WORKSHOPS AND ONE ON ONE SESSIONS (FOR THOSE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO BEING THE BEST) CORPORATE, SPORT AND EDUCATION.

CONTACT DANIELA KRAUS [email protected]