Beyond the Meaning in my World of Controversy — BMWC
To opt for either a winning bonus or losing bonus is an influence of interests and expectations at play
In the football world, when the team, wins it is the players that are good, but when it loses, it is the coach that is bad. That is what it is and you cannot do anything about it. Just accept the status quo and play along.
Coach Razak was appointed the head coach of Taurus FC barely one month prior to the division-one league. He had a lot of reputation in turning things around hence his appointment at the crucial moment. However, after five matches into the league, his team lost four matches to the new entrant teams. Although there were a lot of talks and winning bonuses lined up for each player, the team again lost heavily in their next match. Meanwhile, as he was always disturbed after each loss, some of the players rather made a lot of merry with enough food and drinks for anyone who passed by. This continued for a while until he decided to consult a senior coach for solution. After narrating his concerns, the senior coach had this for him:
A coach may be as good as five top coaches combined, but when players want the coach to be given his matching orders; they can be the best at training but will play for the mouthwatering losing bonus. However, irrespective of the enticement, there is always a majority set of them that will reject it and rather play for the meagre winning bonus. In that regard, they will look up to the coach to lead them in lifting the cup even if they have to die in the process. Some of them are not only happy when they lift the cup, but also because it will avail them to the numerous player scouts who are watching.
Coaching a football team is one of the unstable jobs in the world. You can be hired today and be fired tomorrow because of the players who prefer the quantum of the losing bonus and betting money to the pride as a league winner. The shouts of condemnation from even the ordinary fans in the stands can compel the owner of the team to sack you. When the centre-forward misses all the glary chances and therefore fails to score goals for which he is paid $5, 000 per week, it is you that will answer for it. Even if he ridiculously kicks the penalty across the touchline, you will be summoned by the board to justify how it happened but not the player. Similarly, when the midfielders and the defenders fail to tighten the defense therefore concede goals leading to the defeat of the team, you will take all the flak.
As the coach of a highly spirited team like yours, I have observed the transformation you have brought into the team by infusing the high pressing tactics into your game plan. But I can tell you that the older players are finding it difficult to cope with it therefore, are annoyed with you low key. In that case, instead of killing themselves just to win a division one league, they will pretend to be coping and rather be receiving losing bonus from the opponent. By the way, that is the source of their merrymaking. They prefer the old tactics that is less intense so that they can play full time even if they do not win. But instead of satisfying them and continue to get poor results, consider building the capacity of the majority young players who are committed to your winning ways to play at critical departments of the field so that you can lead them to win the league. Despite your pedigree in the profession, these are some dynamics of the game that you need to learn. Remember, good weapons do not necessarily make good soldiers.
After the consultation, coach Razak did exactly as advised and the team returned to winning ways and eventually won the league.
Lesson: The hidden truth in plain sight is that whether you are praised or condemned, they are all done to an end. Nobody praises or condemns in vain even if it is unconsciously done. When we praise and support people, we usually do so based on our own interests and expectations but not that of others. Likewise when we vilify them hence take losing bonuses, we do so because per our interests and expectations, we are not satisfied with either their actions or inactions.
Take note, you may come into the match and even score a hat trick in the last 10 minutes to level up the scores hence push the game to penalty shoot-out, but it is the goalkeeper that will be hoisted when he manages to save the last penalty kick for the team to win. The other team members and even the fans will suddenly forget the three goals you scored and give all the credit to the goalkeeper.
Note: The above is more or less a smokescreen. Put it in context and the smoke will be cleared exposing the real meaningful.
Evans J. Taurus
