The evolution of smart phones and social media sites has made the manager’s job in football even harder. Former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand was the first person to embrace Twitter as a new way to communicate and advocate for its use.
However, former player and ex-Valencia manager Gary Neville observed that social media had a negative impact on the United dressing room. He acknowledged its potential for positive communication but also highlighted instances where it interfered with team focus and unity.
Neville described an incident where he had to remind players of the importance of staying focused and engaged, rather than being distracted by their phones in the dressing room. He emphasized the need to set a good example and support players, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by excessive phone use.
The debate over whether football teams should consider banning smart phones from their dressing room is ongoing. It brings into focus the balance between embracing new communication technologies and maintaining team focus and discipline.
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