Managers have yet again been in the news this week with some high-profile sackings and lots of speculation about others’ positions. So on this week’s main listening report we take a look back at one of our older reports – this one is from the 2008-09 season – in order to look at some of the language used to describe the role of the football manager. There is also a chance to practice your listening with a gap-fill (below). If you’d like the transcript to the show please show your support by becoming a patron (through Patreon). With the transcript you can improve your English by reading as you listen, or if you are a teacher of English you can use the transcript to make several activities for your learners. If you have questions or comments, email us at: admin@languagecaster.com (Damian=DF). Football Language Podcast: The seven stages of being a football manager – revisited Introduction ‘All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players’ is taken from Shakespeare’s play As You Like It in which the seven stages of man are introduced. Here though, and with apologies to the ‘The Bard’, are the seven stages of being a football manager. Stage 1: Managerial merry-go-round Getting a job as a football manager is not such an easy prospect; as it seems that the same old faces are always involved. This is known as the managerial merry-go-round with bosses never really leaving football but seemingly just swapping jobs. Therefore, getting onto this merry-go-round is your first priority and to do so you need to read the job advertisements in the newspapers. Or more specifically, the football gossip on the back pages. Stage 2: Applying for a job Of course you need to send in a CV but before you do that you need to be linked with the post or become a target for the club. If you see your name written with these phrases then you can improve your job chances by expressing an interest in the position. Stage 3: Appointed Congratulations, you have been appointed as first team coach, or manager, or trainer or gaffer or whatever, you have the job. You have succeeded the previous incumbent and finally you can lead the team. You are in charge. Don’t forget to sign a contract and make sure there is a pay-out clause, just in case things don’t go as planned. You’ve made it. Well done. You’re on the managerial merry-go-round. Stage 4: Being in charge Now you are in charge what do you have to do? Well, you’re responsible for all sorts of jobs, including choosing the tactics, selecting the starting xi, buying and selling players in the transfer market, dealing with agents, the media and your chairman and of course, keeping an eye out for a new job. Invariably the start of your tenure is a good one as players try harder and a sense of hope surrounds the club and this leads to what is known as a honeymoon period when results improve and everyone loves you (See also new manager bounce). Stage 5: Trouble ahead