Managing a football club in Nigeria can become a heckling task if the management team are parochial (have a narrow outlook) in their approach or myopic (short sightedness) in their view...as we largely see in Nigeria. It is poor management that plays out really. The outcome is seen in the form of players unrest over unpaid wages, poor state of accommodation and general welfare of player and coaching staff.
The overwhelming challenge is government and private club owners put in so much funds in financing their team, but hardly make any revenue to support the venture. The cost of running a club is increasing in astronomical rate and putting large hole in the pocket of these private owners. At the point, when they cannot cope any longer, they are forced to disband the club.
Government allocations are hardly enough for state clubs to carry out their daily activities and execute both home and away matches. So, we see clubs with players that are not well motivated putting up shambolic performances.
The situation is such that good players would rather play abroad and the league is looking rag-tag.. bad pitches, security challenges and other shambolic operations cause spectators to stay away, and would not even watch on TV.
Assembling a management team that can adopts 360° view in managing the club will be the answer to all of the anomalies mentioned above.
360° management style view their operations from the passion of fans that follow the club, the kind of players and coaches they want recruited and this is important to maintain a certain kind of club culture and bonding with fans...to keep them coming even when the club isn't doing so well. As they say "football is nothing without the fans."
Fans are the ones that directly consume the games and support the club both financial and otherwise. They attract the sponsors, the endorsements from corporate brands, everything should revolve round the fans. Managing a global fan base becomes easy with 360° management style, that understands what make such massive fans following 👣.
360° management adopt aggressive marketing approach in daily engagement of fans, not only during games alone. They also engage brands for partnership association that can help them activate and achieve their corporate/ brand goals and objectives.
Adopting 360° management approach is to take a holistic view of every aspect, then have a clear plan and set targets
My aim of writing this book is to inspire club owners and team managers to have a broader view of how things can be done.. and take the first step in managing their football club as a business.
It is not rocket science really, but you require good knowledge of how football is run in places like Europe and see how to apply such factors in our peculiar football landscape here in Nigeria. I believe football can be run as a business in this country.
Football is the number one sports in Nigeria and the people are deeply in love with the beautiful game. We have over a hundred million active football fans who can go all the way to enjoy the utility football delivers.
Remember, football is entertainment and not war. It is not win at all cost! People should enjoy football and get back to their homes filling entertained, and not afflicted with injuries or maimed and feeling like they have just escaped death.
Manage your club from the point of view of the fans, who are your first line customers. Plan to offer them an unforgettable experience in every match day...and leave them asking for more!
Of course, this book is more like a handbook and is not in anyway exhaustive with the subject matter. My hope is the book will launch you into a deeper search for innovative approaches to get your football club up and running as a business enterprise.
This book is highly recommended for club owners and team managers or for those who want to improve their knowledge of how football clubs should operate here in Nigeria.
For just $20 USD you can purchase the eBook format. Call or WhatsApp: +2348098772556
