Hull City manager Nigel Adkins imparted several pieces of important advice to UCFB students hoping to forge a career within football management during a recent Executive Guest Speaker session.
Having also previously been in the dugout at Scunthorpe United, Southampton, Reading and Sheffield United, Adkins is well placed within the game and knows first-hand what it takes for an individual to become a successful coach or manager.
UCFB offers several coaching and management related programmes across both of its campuses, including BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Talent Development, BA (Hons) Football Coaching & Management and BA (Hons) Sports Business & Coaching, all of which allow students to obtain a formal qualification to take into a highly competitive workplace.
Adkins explained the importance behind gaining a formal education, but also stressed the importance of having the characteristics to be able to inspire a group of players. He said: “I think knowledge is so important in so many different aspects. It keeps the mind bright when you’re looking to move forward to the next thing.
“Formal education is beneficial but likewise so is that knowledge of getting your tactics right. You’ve got to be students of the game. You need to get it right on the field of play. You’ve got to get the best out of people and you’ve got to bring everybody together under one badge evenly.”
One of the key tasks a manager faces week-in week-out is team selection and in-game tactics. Now into his sixth job in football management, the Tigers boss had some inspirational words for aspiring managers and coaches: “I think one of the big things is to go with your gut feeling. Gut feeling is a big thing and it helps because at the end of the day there are times when I’ve come off at games and thought ‘I wish I had done that’. So have no regrets, and just go with that gut feeling and do it.”
Nigel Adkins speaking to students at UCFB Wembley.
Adkins concluded with some helpful advice to students looking to work in football management and coaching and how to be successful.
He finished: “You’ve got to be able to stay healthy to do the job because it is demanding and it is pressurised, and you’ve got to keep staying with the latest trends. You’ve got to be passionate. You’ve got to be a student to the game and be passionate about what you do.”
