How important is the ability to communicate effectively for a coach?
MA: I think it’s very important. You get your ideas across by demonstrating and talking. You need to know your players and the people around you. At Cardiff City it’s a club effort. We have many coaches within the club and we’re all geared towards the same goal – developing the team and the players. How they communicate with us is just as important. In today’s age, when youngsters spend more time texting on their mobile phones, it can be a struggle. It takes a while for them to get the confidence in themselves to communicate to us. Coaching is a two-way process. RYG: What other skills can people acquire through involvement in a team game like football? MA: Along with communication they get a sense of team ethics. Confidence is also a big thing for youngsters. That’s very important. They learn what it’s like to be part of a team, for people to depend on you and for you to depend on them. You learn to go the extra yard. RYG: Do you rule by the stick or the carrot? MA: I think you need a
