Lessons on success from the world of football

In high school, there were students known to be highly intelligent, but who would always be in the mid-table of the exam results. They knowingly, wilfully, did enough just to pass. However, in the second term of Form Three, after the district mock exams, the sleeping giants awoke. Unexpectedly, they were at the top of the academic table.

Much like these students, football giants are awake. Chelsea and Real Madrid won their respective leagues this past season. Chelsea were among the least favourite to win the league title, having finished an egregious 10th the previous season. Madrid, on the other hand, last won the La Liga title in 2012, when Luiz Suarez was still biting, Leicester City were unknown, and Manchester City won their first English Premier League title in stoppage time. This past season has reminded us that making a comeback is not so elusive.

First, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Antonio Conte, a devout Catholic, has often been seen looking up to the sky and making the sign of the cross. In his debut season as Chelsea’s manager, he has won the Premier League title. It can be inferred that God does bless the work of our hands.

More importantly, if it is broken, be innovative. If the formula you have adopted for years is no longer working, change it. It is beyond risible to pick the same players based on their level of importance or past performance, who repeatedly fail to deliver. Some people are just past their sell-by date, ill-equipped to cope, making it a no-brainer to inject fresh blood.

INEVITABLE CHANGE

The sad reality is, if they cost you a win once, they will cost you again. Change is inevitable, and the quicker you embrace it the sooner you come up to the level of your expected performance, for your benefit, your business, customers, or shareholders. After Chelsea lost 3-0 to Arsenal in September 2016 and were sixth on the league table, Antonio Conte set a new trend in the Premier League by adopting the 3-4-3 formation. Chelsea prospered mightily and won the next 13 games. Chelsea also bought N’golo Kante, who had won the league title with Leicester City in the 2015-2016 season, and he has been crucial in leading the team to the title, on top of winning the Premier League Player of the Year. So, strategically and stylistically, take meaningful action.

Of even greater consideration is being wary of who your real competition is. At the beginning of the 2016-2017, there was a lot of buzz around former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who won the La-Liga three times and the UEFA Champions League twice, and who took charge of Manchester City. Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent fans abuzz in anticipation of a great season.

ONLY TEAM

To the disappointment of many, only Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur held their own, while the rest barely kept up. In fact, Spurs are the only team that really gave Chelsea a run for its billions, despite not spending copious amounts. The sheer physical presence of Victor Wanyama, who made more passes, tackles and recoveries than his team mates, ended Chelsea’s winning streak when Chelsea lost 2-0 to Spurs. Antonio Conte acknowledged Wanyama was a key player for Spurs and come the FA Cup semi-final in April, Chelsea were more than prepared. Soon after Wanyama was taken off, Matic had plenty of space to score, sending Chelsea to the FA Cup with a comfortable 4-2 win. To Spurs’s commendation, they finished second of the Premier League.

Finally, once you make that comeback, be consistent in your performance. Maintaining a high level of performance is the uphill battle. Over the last 10 seasons, the Premier League title has been shared among four teams, Leicester City being the surprise winner last season. Only Manchester United won the league back-to-back – in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons. Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo together consistently won and were a force to reckon with. And so, after making your comeback in part as a result of the right team and strategy, maintain your position. Harry Kane retained the golden boot with 29 goals this past season, four more than in the previous season.

Gladys Burini works with international businesses on commercial litigation.

[email protected]