Football managers’ authority is being eroded – Sir Gareth Southgate

He argues such structures are now necessary as a head coach “neither has the time nor, in many cases, the specialist expertise to manage complex player contracts, oversee global scouting networks, or run sophisticated data operations”.

And while some fans believe being a head coach rather than a manager brings a reduced work load, the 55-year-old says “the opposite is true” given “larger squads, bigger backroom teams, far greater analytical demands and ever-increasing media and commercial obligations”.

“The complexity of managing modern-day players (many of whom are effectively individual brands), alongside the financial stakes for clubs and the relentless scrutiny of both traditional and social media, and you have a significant melting pot of problems and pressure,” he added.

“My belief is that we should embrace a modernised version of the traditional manager, where we recognise the people they lead, manage and coach.

“As I once said to my bosses at England: players are not magnets on a tactics board that can simply be moved around.

“They are human beings. And managing that reality is at the heart of modern football leadership.”

But Southgate, who was in charge of Middlesbrough and England Under-21s before managing England from 2016 to 2024, acknowleged the different titles have led to a “subtle, sometimes unintentional, shift in power and status” – and that he “insisted on changing the title to manager” when he was offered the role of England head coach.

He said that was necessary in order to reflect the “authority, influence and control” he would need in the role.