Sports coaches are the professionals who instruct and train the athletes participating in some specific sports. Coaches play a very important role in helping individual players and teams achieve their full potential and thereby improve their performances. Professional sports are highly competitive and in such situations the responsibilities of the coach increases manifold. Often the head coach of a professional team is assisted by assistant coaches and physical trainers. Coaches identify the strengths and weaknesses of their clients and help them in implementing a suitable training programme to improve their physical and psychological fitness. In addition to helping professional players in achieving their highest potentials, coaches also scout for new talents. They play the role of mentors as they encourage and motivate aspiring sportspersons to take up a particular sport. Coaches in any sport are required to have experience and expertise in playing that particular sport. The duties and responsibilities of coaches differ according to the sports they coach their clients in. It is a highly demanding yet highly satisfying job. Browse this section to explore about the life and works of various famous sports coaches from all over the world.
Dutch formerfootball player Ronald Koeman was one of the stars of the Netherlands national team during his playing days. After his retirement, he became a professional football manager and is currently the head coach of La Liga club Barcelona. Tremendously successful as a head coach, he was made the manager of Barcelona in 2020.
Renowned football manager and the current head coach of Leeds United, Marcelo Bielsa is best known for remarkably improving the performance of the players he coaches. As a manager, his high point arrived when he helped the Argentinean national team bag the 2004 Olympics gold medal and later guided the Chile’s national team to qualify for the 2010 world cup.
Phil Jackson is a former professional basketball player who played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association and won the NBA championships in 1970 and 1973 when he was with New York Knicks. Later, he coached the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers and led them both to numerous championships and league titles and is considered one of the greatest basketball coaches ever.
A football addict from beginning, Pep Guardiola went on to become a key player with the Barcelona and the Spanish National team. He played a crucial role in winning major titles like the La Liga and an Olympic gold medal. After retiring as a player, he became a coach and is widely regarded as one of the world's best coaches.
Retired basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a legendary NBA champion and its all-time leading scorer. Known for his trademark skyhook shot, he achieved remarkable feats during his career. Later, he pursued a successful writing and acting career and was even selected U.S. global cultural ambassador. The NBA star is also the proud recipient of the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Jürgen Klopp is a German football manager and former player. He is the manager of the Liverpool football club and is considered as one of the best managers in the world. He has also been the manager of Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool won their first FIFA Club World Cup and first Premier League title under him. He is famous for his enthusiastic celebrations.
Doc Rivers is a former American basketball player, who in his thirteen seasons played primarily for Atlanta Hawks and was known for his defence. After retirement, he picked up coaching responsibilities for Orlando Magic and in his first year was awarded NBA Coach of the Year. Later, he led Boston Celtics to NBA championship. He is currently the coach of Philadelphia 76ers.
Erik Spoelstra, who is of Filipino descent, created history when in 2008 he became the head basketball coach of Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association, making him the first Asian-American head coach of the four major North American sports leagues. When Miami Heat won in 2012, he became the first Asian-American head coach to win a NBA championship.
