Three policies from the Football Behavior Management course that you can implement right away

Football Behavior Management is Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) for football clubs. Here are three smart policies that help strengthen your club immediately:

I) Start measuring your scouts, training staff and decision makers

Why only use statistics for your players, when statistics works as well – if not better – for scouts, training staff and decision makers.

The first step of FBM or OBM is to specify desired behavior. The number #1 desired behavior for your scouts is to find players that are highly likely to be able to contribute to the team. The same goes for the training staff for as far as they are involved in the recruitment process. The desired behavior for decision makers is to hire players that are highly likely to be able to contribute to the team. Often this means that decision makers have a secondary desired behavior and that is to listen to their scouts and stick to the recruiting rules as they have been decided upon beforehand.

To measure your scouts, training staff and decision makers, you ask them to subjectively grade potential players on a scale of 1% to 99% of how likely they are to be able to contribute to the team before they are actually recruited. 

You can use all of these predictions to actually calculate the risk of hiring this new player as well as the chance for a million euro or more transfer fee. That way you can actually see which player has the best risk/reward ratio. Yet, you can also use these risk analyses to make sure that all the combined small risks don’t make for one big risk. Because for smaller clubs the problem of ruin is very big in football. And even for big clubs the problem of ruin involves too much stress for the people involved. The problem of ruin is that if a small club hires the right players 95% of the time, they will be relegated once every twenty years. So clubs need a very high success rate to stay out of trouble. Formal risk management helps a lot.

At the end of the next season your team and you decide which new players have been successfully contributing to the team. Most of the time this is obvious. If there is a discussion one can look at predicted stats, minutes or his new replacement value. A successful player scores 100% and an unsuccessful player 0%. Then you can use Brier’s Rule to determine how well your team predicted these successes. Now you have the first data on who are good predictors in the club and who are less so.

This information is now fed back into the risk management by giving the good predictors more weight so that for the next season the risk analysis is improved even if all the same people are still working at the club. Keep doing this and the risks go down, the rewards go up and the problem of ruin becomes smaller and smaller.

II) Create a Viable Systems Model of your club

The Viable System Model (VSM) is a cybernetic model that models any organization. Any organization that exists for more than five years follows the general structure of the VSM model. Yet, most of the time these organizational structures are organically grown rather than thought out and structured by design. That means that at best they are inefficient and at worst that they are detrimental to the health of the organization.

The VSM for most clubs is quite easy to model as they are generally organized along the same lines. Most importantly, the VSM model structures who can command who. By using the VSM model you can make it absolutely clear what the relationship and balance between the manager of the first team and the technical or sporting director is. The VSM doesn’t prescribe what to do. The VSM only shows what the best implementation is for your choices. 

Finally, cybernetics teaches us that any regulator of a system is only as good as the model he has of that system. Good regulators have good models and bad regulators have bad models. This is why clubs spend so much time looking for a good manager or a good technical director. They are actually searching for a manager and a technical director with a good model. Do these good managers and good technical directors have an explicit model? Seldom of course. The model is inside their brain. That is what makes good managers and good technical directors so valuable.

By introducing the VSM in your club, you can make these unconscious models explicit so that not only the rest of the club can learn from them, but that you can actually optimize them and use them long after the manager or the technical director has left the club. In other words: creating the VSM model of your club actually enriches the club.

III) Hire one player less

On average, clubs hire six new players each season. Of those six players, two players tend to be unsuccessful, again on average. By hiring one player less and spending his salary and transfer fee, if any, on the scouting and recruiting department, chances are that they suddenly have a much bigger budget than before. As it seems that for most clubs the scouting and recruiting department has too small a budget. At the same time the scouting and recruiting department has the potential to make the club the most money.

This situation of too small a budget for scouting and recruiting seems irrational, but FBM and OBM explain when it is still a rational decision by the decision makers to spend as little as possible on scouting and recruiting. They do this, often unconsciously of course, because they already know that they are not going to listen to their scouts and recruiters. That is why actually listening to your scouts and staff is such an important desired behavior for decision makers. That is why measuring scouts, staff AND decision makers how well they predict is so important. That is why it is important to have a Viable System Model of the club so decision makers understand better what makes the club viable.

Use risk management and risk analysis to determine which player is most likely to fail at the club and refuse to hire him nor any other player. Instead be satisfied with the players you did recruit and spend the money of that one player on recruitment and scouting so that the next time you hire even better players with less risks and bigger chances for big rewards while at the same time keep hiring one player less each and every season. This policy will increase the probability of steering the club towards greater heights while at the same time reducing the probability of ruin.

These are three examples of what is being taught at the Football Behavior Management course we deliver for the VU-university of Amsterdam or in house for clubs. For more info, feel free to connect with us for more information and an introduction or presentation. To connect, please fill in the form below:

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How to read a FBM chart

Maybe you have come across a FBM chart like the following on Twitter and you are curious how to read these charts:

What you see is the answer to the following three questions:

  1. What is the probability that this player is able to contribute to the finishing of his current team?
  2. What is the probability that this player is able to contribute to the defending of his current team?
  3. What is the probability that this player is able to contribute to the passing game of his current team?

These probabilities are predictive and hold for the next upcoming game. It is important to note that almost all statistics in football are backward looking and descriptive. As useful as that can be, descriptive statistics is way less useful than predictive statistics like these FBM stats. After the game these FBM probabilities are updated using Bayes Theorem. For reliable players these probabilities are consistent over time. For more unreliable players they fluctuate more. So you can use FBM statistics to determine how reliable a player is.

Finishing consists of scoring goals, giving assists and shooting on target. The probability of being able to contribute to the finishing of the current team decreases due to shots off target.

Defending consists of all actions of the player and results where the player has a contribution to said result while the opposing team is in possession of the ball. The most positive result is of course gaining possession of the ball.  The probability of being able to contribute to the defending of the current team decreases due to the opposing team getting significantly closer to the goal, fouls being made or goals scored against the team.

Passing game consists of all actions of the player and results where the player has a contribution to said result while the team is in possession of the ball. This includes actions without the ball like drawing out defenders or occupying space, progressive passing, packing and the pre-assist. The probability of being able to contribute to the passing game of the current team decreases due to losing possession of the ball.

Please note that these FBM stats are for playing in their current specific team in their current specific league. We have a Bayesian transfer model to transfer players virtually to different teams and different league. All these probabilities are then adjusted for the new team and in case of a new league also for the new league.

The distribution of probability

The graphs you see are the Poisson distribution of the underlying FBM stats for finishing, defending and passing game. Whenever you see a football statistic given as a single number be very suspicious. Reality is too complex to be captured in numbers, even if there are a whole bunch of them. In fact, the more different statistics are used, the less valuable the information becomes, because the more data you have the more you can prove. Yet, the more you can prove, the more what you prove is confirmation bias as you are going to prove what you already think you know. That is the reason why statistics should now and then shock you. Because if statistics doesn’t shock, the chance is that you use statistics to confirm your biases.

So rather than present players in single numbers, we present players as a Poisson distribution. The distribution gives you the area where the player’s probabilities will lie after the next match. Of course, given that each match only slightly moves these probabilities, if they move at all, in practice these probabilities hold for the whole season or to whenever a major change occurs, like for instance an injury, a new manager or a new team.

A new team is important, because FBM probabilities are always for a player playing for a specific team in a specific league. As soon as the player moves to a different team or even a different league, these probabilities change. We have a Bayesian transfer model that calculates how these probabilities change whenever you move a player from one team to another. Most of what we do is help clubs understand how likely it is that a potential player they like to hire is going to do well in their team.

How to read these distributions

There is a very simple rule to reading these charts:

The more to the right, the better. Ignore the peaks.

Somehow our attention is being drawn to the peaks, but the peaks are a mathematical artifact of the Poisson distribution. You could say that the Poisson distribution tries to distribute 100 points around the average of the statistics. The less space the Poisson distribution has to achieve this, the higher the peak. But the less space means that the probabilities used are very low. Hence the rule to ignore the peaks and just look for what is most to the right. If you really want to know what the vertical values are: the vertical values are the probability of single column in the graph.

Graphs may overlap, so for instance in our example of Oscar Fraulo, he both maxed out on finishing and passing game probabilities and so they overlap turning the graph into some greenish blueish color to indicate that both the green and the blue chart overlap.

If we compare two players in a chart the overlapping area is quite important. Because then the overlapping area is actually the chance that the lesser player will do as good as the better player or even better! So if the graphs of two players overlap a lot, the lesser player has a decent chance of outperforming the better player in the future. Nevertheless, the better player still has the biggest chance of outperforming the lesser player.

When you want to see how one of your favorite players looks in FBM stats, please let us know on Twitter through a Tweet or a DM. Or fill in the form below to request a free sample report:

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What is FBM replacement value?

With FBM replacement value we calculate what a club is to be expected to pay minimally to replace one of their players. This calculation is based on the following stats:

  1. The FBM players stats. There are four FBM players stats:
    1. The probability to be able to contribute to the team overall.
    2. The probability to be able to contribute to the finishing of the team.
    3. The probability to be able to contribute to the passing game of the team.
    4. The probability to be able to contribute to the defense of the team.
  2. The historical transfer fees actually paid for the position of the player in the current league.
  3. The rank of the team in the table.
  4. The player’s age.
  5. The player’s length.
  6. The player’s international status.

Replacement value calculates the amount of money a club probably needs to spend to get a replacement player coming to the club. That means that replacement value is more about the new player coming to the club then the player leaving the club. So replacement value is not the most likely transfer fee, but can be used to determine a fair transfer fee by the selling or buying club, or both. That is the reason why replacement fees at some clubs are so much lower than expected transfer fees. These are smart clubs that hire new players for low transfer fees and let them go for high transfer fees. So for example Jurrien Timber of Ajax is expected to leave the club for a transfer fee of thirty million euro. Yet, his replacement value is “only” ten million euro. Yet, this is the amount Ajax needs to spend to get a player back who will produce the same stats as Jurrien Timber.

The way the calculation works is that we start with the perfect player. The FBM player stats are created by using Bayesian statistics. The highest possible probability to be able to contribute is 100%. That means that the perfect player has 100% probability to be able to contribute to the team overall, 100% probability to be able to contribute the finishing of the team, 100% probability to be able to contribute to the passing game of the team, 100% probability to be able to contribute to the defense of the team. Furthermore, the perfect player also has the perfect age and perfect length based on the length and age that have historically gotten the highest transfer fees. The perfect player also plays for the #1 ranked team in the league and he plays for the national team.

Such a player has never yet existed. Even Messi, who scores 100% probability to contribute to the team overall, in finishing and in passing game for most of his career, had a low probability of being able to contribute to the defense of the team.

Nevertheless, even though the perfect player has never existed, we take it that if he did exist, a club should have paid the all time highest transfer fee for that particular position in that particular league for him. In other words, the all time transfer fee actually being paid is to be taken to be paid for the perfect player even if in reality it was not. We don’t want to extrapolate based on the highest fee ever paid, because that fee might be a market top. 

The next step is to check how long ago this top transfer fee was paid and what has happened to the transfer fees paid for that particular position in that particular league. We do this because the market might have topped and we have to take into account that transfer fees in the future go down. This gives us the top transfer fee for the perfect player in the current season.

Finally we calculate how different the actual player is from the perfect player and this gives us the ratio between the actual player and the perfect player. The replacement value is calculated using this ratio and the top transfer fee for the perfect player for that particular position in that particular league.

How replacement value works for clubs and agents

Replacement value is not the most likely transfer fee. The transfer fee is whatever clubs and agents can get away with. Replacement value helps clubs and agents in their negotiations though. Because if club A pays club B a transfer fee that is above the replacement value of the player for club A, then club A is being weakened as the overpay and now have less money available for other transfers. The same goes the other way: if club B sells a player for less than the replacement value of the player for club B, club B is being weakened because they got too little money for the player and have less money left to spend on a replacement or for other players.

Fortunately, this means that it is possible that a transfer is a win/win for both clubs. This is due to the fact that replacement values are specific for each and every club. Player valuations like those on TransferMarkt suggest that the player has an intrinsic worth. This is a statistical mistake. The player only has a value to a specific club. If no club wants a certain player, no matter how high that player is valued, his future transfer fee is zero. So player valuation always needs to be made in the light of the club he is currently playing for and the club he is going to play for, including possible differences in leagues and the rank in the league of both clubs. That means that it is possible, even quite common, that the transfer fee is higher than the replacement value of the player for the club selling the player and at the same time lower than the replacement value of the player for the club buying the player. Both clubs are strengthened by the deal and it is a win/win situation.

Of course, in more cases one club profits at the expense of another club. In that case in very real terms (i.e. money) one club is getting stronger and the other club is getting weaker. So it is very important for clubs to keep checking whether their deals are favorable or not, in the light of the replacement value of the player.

To give an example of how this worked out in practice, we advised one of the consultants working for Willem II in regard to the transfer of Fran Sol to Dinamo Kiev. According to TransferMarkt the value of Fran Sol was 6 million euro at the time. Willem II was trying to get this amount from Dinamo Kiev, but Dinamo Kiev was unwilling to pay this amount. In our calculations Fran Sol had a replacement value of only 2 million for Willem II and 4 million for Dinamo Kiev. So any amount between 2 million and 4 million would be a win/win for both clubs. The final deal was for 3.5 million euro.

Given that the player’s age is a factor in the calculation of the replacement value, one can easily calculate the replacement value of a player in the future. This way clubs and agents can see whether a potential transfer has the chance of being profitable if the player leaves his new club after one or two seasons. That is how we were able to predict that Dalmau, who came to Heracles as a free agent, would have a replacement value of 1.75 million euro one season later. Indeed, after one season playing for Heracles he was transferred to FC Utrecht for 700.000 euro plus the transfer of Dessers to Heracles. Dessers at the time was valued at 1 million euro, bringing the value of the complete deal to 1.7 million euro, very close to the replacement value of 1.75 million euro we predicted for Heracles. Dessers left Heracles also after playing there for just one season for a 4 million euro transfer fee.

Why there, sometimes, is a big gap between FBM replacement value and transfer fees valuations

Take the interesting case of Noussair Mazraoui

His replacement value is 6.5 million euro playing for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Yet, his valuation at TransferMarkt is 20 million euro. Noussair Mazraoui is leaving as a free agent, so we will never know what the transfer fee would have been, but it doesn’t seem that Ajax has gotten a very attractive offer for Noussair Mazraoui. 

Nevertheless, there is a big gap between 6.5 million and 20 million. This gap is a great example of why replacement value is not the same as transfer fees. The FBM replacement value is a measure for Ajax to limit their spending on a replacement for Noussair Mazraoui to 6.5 million euro. We might be mistaken, but we think it is highly unlikely that Ajax would spend more than 6.5 million euro. Cases like these validate the replacement value model.

Some superstar players have extremely high valuation on sites like TransferMarkt. Mainly because they play in one of the best leagues for some of the best clubs, often getting very far in the Champions League. These high valuation are more a token of appreciation than a likely transfer fee as most of these superstar players will stay with their current club until (almost) the end of their career. Without the prospect of a transfer, the real value of those players is much closer to zero than the extremely high number quoted everywhere. So once more clubs find more use in the replacement value of those players as at some point they have to replace their retiring superstars with other players.

Even though FBM replacement values are not meant to predict future transfer fees, in 2 out of 3 cases FBM replacement values are closer to the actual transfer fees than the valuation at TransferMarkt.

Undervalued players

Even though replacement value is really about the next player coming in to replace the current player, if the replacement value is much higher than the actual valuation, then one still can say that they player is undervalued. The reason being that if the club were to sell their current player for the valuation fee and then had to hire a new player for the much higher replacement value, they would lose a lot of money. Hence players whose replacement value is much higher than their public valuation are undervalued. Here is a list of some of the undervalued players we have found.

Profile: Messi = brain type #9, the Mediator

Social Stability

In the context of football, “Social Stability” can refer to a player’s ability to maintain consistent and positive interactions with teammates, coaches, and others in the football community. It can also refer to a player’s ability to handle pressure, maintain discipline, and adapt to different social environments. Lionel Messi, the Argentine professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, would likely score high on “Social Stability” for several reasons:

  1. Consistency: Messi has been remarkably consistent throughout his career, maintaining a high level of performance for over a decade. This consistency extends to his interactions with teammates and coaches, which are typically characterized by respect and professionalism.
  2. Teamwork: Messi is known for his exceptional ability to work with his teammates. He’s a phenomenal playmaker, often setting up goals for others as well as scoring them himself. His understanding and communication with his teammates contribute to his team’s stability and success.
  3. Handling Pressure: Messi has consistently performed at the highest levels of football under intense pressure. Whether in high-stakes Champions League matches or in World Cup tournaments, Messi’s ability to remain composed and focused is a testament to his emotional stability.
  4. Discipline: Messi is known for his discipline both on and off the pitch. He rarely gets involved in confrontations or receives disciplinary action, demonstrating respect for the rules of the game and for his opponents.
  5. Adaptability: Messi’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, after spending his entire professional career at Barcelona, has shown his adaptability to new environments, teammates, and styles of play.
  6. Leadership: Messi has often worn the captain’s armband for both Barcelona and the Argentine national team. His leadership style is generally seen as leading by example, demonstrating calmness, resilience, and focus.

These factors all contribute to Messi’s high score on “Social Stability” in the context of football, demonstrating his consistency, teamwork, resilience, discipline, and adaptability.

Agreeableness

In the context of football, “Agreeableness” can refer to a player’s tendency to be cooperative, respectful, and considerate in their interactions with teammates, coaches, and opponents. Lionel Messi, the Argentine professional footballer, is often seen as highly agreeable due to the following reasons:

  1. Teamwork: Messi is renowned for his ability to work effectively with his teammates. He often prioritizes the team’s success over personal glory, setting up goals for teammates and contributing to a cooperative team dynamic.
  2. Sportsmanship: Messi generally exhibits high levels of sportsmanship on the pitch. He’s respectful to his opponents and rarely gets involved in confrontations or unsportsmanlike behavior.
  3. Respect for Authority: Messi typically shows respect for coaches and referees, accepting decisions without excessive argument or dissent. This respect for authority contributes to his agreeableness.
  4. Humility: Despite being one of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi is known for his humility. He’s often quiet and reserved off the pitch, and he rarely seeks the spotlight unnecessarily. This humility contributes to his agreeableness, as it shows a lack of self-centeredness.
  5. Emotional Intelligence: Messi appears to have a high level of emotional intelligence. He understands and manages his emotions well, and he’s often seen comforting or supporting teammates and even opponents during difficult moments.
  6. Positive Influence: Messi’s positive influence extends beyond his own team. He’s widely respected by players, coaches, and fans around the world for his skill, sportsmanship, and demeanor, indicating a high level of agreeableness.

These attributes contribute to Messi’s high score on “Agreeableness” in the context of football, showing his cooperative, respectful, and considerate nature.

Compassion


In the context of football, “Compassion” can refer to a player’s empathy, understanding, and supportive behavior towards teammates, opponents, and others in the football community. Lionel Messi, the Argentine professional footballer, might score high on “Compassion” due to the following reasons:

  1. Teammate Support: Messi is known for his supportive behavior towards his teammates. He often assists them in scoring opportunities and is seen comforting and encouraging them during difficult moments, which shows empathy and understanding.
  2. Sportsmanship: Messi exhibits high levels of sportsmanship on the pitch. He often helps opponents up after a foul and avoids unnecessary confrontations. This respect for his opponents reflects his compassionate nature.
  3. Off-field Actions: Messi’s actions off the pitch also demonstrate his compassion. He’s involved in various charitable activities, such as his own foundation, the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports access to education and health care for vulnerable children.
  4. Emotional Intelligence: Messi’s high emotional intelligence is evident in his ability to understand and manage his own emotions and those of others. This emotional intelligence is a key aspect of compassion.
  5. Empathy: Messi shows empathy towards others in the football community, including opponents. For example, he’s often seen offering words of consolation to opponents after a match, demonstrating his ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

These factors contribute to Messi’s high score on “Compassion” in the context of football, demonstrating his empathy, understanding, and supportive behavior.

Politeness

In the context of football, “Politeness” can be understood as a player’s tendency to show respect, restraint, and courtesy towards others, including teammates, opponents, coaches, referees, and fans. Lionel Messi, the Argentine professional footballer, might score high on “Politeness” due to the following reasons:

  1. Respect for Opponents: Messi is known for his respectful conduct towards opponents. He avoids unnecessary confrontations, helps opponents up after a foul, and generally treats them with courtesy.
  2. Sportsmanship: Messi consistently displays good sportsmanship, accepting wins and losses graciously. His behavior during matches often reflects a high degree of respect for the game and its rules.
  3. Restraint: Despite being one of the most fouled players in the sport, Messi often shows remarkable restraint, rarely retaliating or reacting aggressively to fouls against him.
  4. Respect for Authority: Messi typically shows respect for referees and their decisions. He doesn’t excessively argue or show dissent, demonstrating politeness and respect for authority.
  5. Humility: Messi’s humility is often noted by fans and pundits alike. Despite his immense success, he remains modest and unassuming, treating others with respect and kindness.
  6. Off-field Behavior: Off the pitch, Messi is known for his polite and quiet demeanor. He’s generally reserved and courteous during interviews and public appearances.

These aspects contribute to Messi’s high score on “Politeness” in the context of football, demonstrating his respect, restraint, and courtesy in interactions with others.

Profile: Luis Suarez = brain type #8, the Boss

Exploration

In football, a player’s ability to explore can be seen in their creativity, versatility, risk-taking, and ability to exploit new spaces on the pitch. Luis Suarez, a Uruguayan professional footballer known for his impressive goal-scoring ability and offensive tactics. He scores high on Exploration for several reasons:

  1. Creativity: Suarez is known for his ability to create scoring opportunities out of difficult situations. His unpredictability and inventiveness make him a constant threat to opponents.
  2. Versatility: Suarez has demonstrated his ability to play in various attacking roles, whether as a lone striker, in a partnership, or out wide as part of a front three. This adaptability allows him to explore different areas of the pitch and different ways of contributing to the team’s attack.
  3. Risk-Taking: Suarez is known for his audacious style of play, often attempting and pulling off maneuvers that other players might not. This includes long-range shots, cheeky nutmegs, and daring dribbles.
  4. Exploiting Spaces: Suarez’s movement off the ball is exceptional. He consistently finds and exploits spaces in the opposition’s defense, making smart runs that pull defenders out of position and open up channels for his teammates.
  5. Technical Skills: Suarez’s excellent ball control, dribbling, and finishing ability allow him to navigate tight spaces and take on multiple defenders, further demonstrating his explorative style of play.

Social Stability

“Social Stability” in a football context could refer to a player’s ability to maintain consistent and positive interactions with teammates, coaches, and others in the football community. It may also involve the ability to handle pressure, maintain discipline, and adapt to different social environments.

Here’s why Luis Suarez scores high on Social Stability:

  1. Team Dynamics: Suarez has shown the ability to integrate well into different teams, from Liverpool to Barcelona, and then to Atletico Madrid. His strong relationships with teammates are evident in his on-pitch interactions and off-pitch camaraderie.
  2. Leadership: Suarez has often demonstrated leadership qualities on the pitch, guiding younger players and stepping up in crucial moments. This shows his stability and reliability as a team member.
  3. Handling Pressure: Suarez has played at the highest levels of football and performed exceptionally well. His ability to perform consistently, even under intense pressure, signifies a degree of emotional stability.
  4. Adaptability: Suarez has adapted to different leagues, styles of play, and cultures throughout his career – from Uruguay to the Netherlands, England, Spain, and now Italy. This adaptability indicates a high level of social stability.
  5. Discipline: Despite some notable exceptions, Suarez generally maintains discipline on the field, staying focused on the game and his role within the team.

Disinhibition

In the context of football, “Disinhibition” could refer to a player’s tendency to behave impulsively, take risks, and defy conventions or rules. It could also be associated with a lack of restraint or self-control.

Luis Suarez scores high on “Disinhibition” for several reasons:

  1. Risk-Taking: Suarez is known for his audacious style of play. He often attempts risky maneuvers, like long-range shots, unexpected dribbles, and complex tricks, showing a lack of inhibition in his play.
  2. Impulsivity: Suarez has had notable incidents in his career that show a degree of impulsivity and lack of self-control. The most famous of these are the biting incidents, where Suarez bit opponents during matches on three separate occasions.
  3. Rule-Breaking: Suarez’s handball in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals against Ghana is another example of disinhibition. In the last minute of extra time, Suarez deliberately handled the ball to prevent it from going into the net, breaking the rules to keep his team in the competition.
  4. Emotional Outbursts: Suarez is known for his passionate and sometimes explosive reactions on the field, further demonstrating a tendency towards disinhibition.

While these aspects of disinhibition have sometimes led to controversy and disciplinary action, they also contribute to the unpredictability and audaciousness that make Suarez such an effective and exciting player.

Rebelling

In a football context, “Rebelling” can be viewed as a player’s tendency to resist authority, break rules, or challenge the status quo. Luis Suarez scores high on “Rebelling” for the following reasons:

  1. Rule-Breaking: Suarez has been involved in several high-profile incidents that broke the rules of the game, most notably his deliberate handball in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals against Ghana and his biting incidents. These actions could be seen as forms of rebelling against the established rules of the sport.
  2. Confrontations: Suarez has had numerous confrontations with opponents on the pitch. He’s not one to back down when challenged, and his passionate and aggressive style of play often leads to clashes with other players.
  3. Challenging Authority: Suarez has had his share of disagreements with referees and footballing authorities over his career, with several instances of dissent or protest against decisions he disagreed with.
  4. Controversy: Suarez has been a controversial figure in football due to his on-pitch behavior and off-pitch incidents. This controversial reputation could be seen as a form of rebelling against societal expectations or norms.

Impulsivity

Impulsivity, in the context of football, can be described as a player’s tendency to act quickly and without much consideration of potential consequences. It’s often associated with rapid decision-making, risk-taking, and occasionally, unpredictability.

Luis Suarez scores high on “Impulsivity” due to the following reasons:

  1. Rapid Decision-Making: Suarez is known for his ability to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations, such as taking shots from difficult angles or attempting an unexpected dribble. This rapid decision-making, while often advantageous, can also be viewed as a form of impulsivity.
  2. Risk-Taking: Suarez often takes risks on the field, whether that’s attempting a difficult shot, making a daring run, or trying to dribble past multiple defenders. While these risks often pay off, they can also be seen as impulsive actions.
  3. Unpredictability: Suarez’s playing style is unpredictable and can catch opponents off guard. This unpredictability could be partly attributed to impulsivity.
  4. Disciplinary Issues: Suarez has been involved in several notable incidents that could be attributed to impulsivity, including biting opponents on three separate occasions and the deliberate handball in the 2010 World Cup. These actions show a lack of restraint and consideration of consequences, which are hallmarks of impulsivity.

While Suarez’s impulsivity has sometimes led to controversy, it’s also a key part of his playing style and effectiveness on the pitch. His quick decision-making, risk-taking, and unpredictability often give him an advantage over opponents and make him a dynamic and exciting player to watch. However, the downsides of impulsivity, such as disciplinary issues, are also evident in Suarez’s career.

Profile: Maradona = brain type #7, the Hedonist

Exploration

In the context of football, “exploration” could refer to a player’s ability to exploit different areas of the pitch, try new techniques, take risks, and innovate in gameplay. This ability often comes with a high degree of creativity, technical skill, and a deep understanding of the game.

Diego Maradona, one of the greatest footballers of all time, indeed demonstrated a high degree of exploration during his career. His style was characterized by an extraordinary ability to dribble and navigate through tight spaces, and he was known for trying audacious moves that others wouldn’t. Here are a few examples that could illustrate why Maradona would score high on “Exploration”:

  1. Creativity and Innovation: Maradona was known for his ability to think outside the box and execute unexpected plays. His style was unpredictable and inventive, making it difficult for opponents to anticipate his moves.
  2. Versatility: Maradona was not restricted to one position or role. He was primarily an attacking midfielder, but his skill set allowed him to play effectively in several different positions and adapt to different game situations.
  3. Risk-Taking: Maradona was not afraid to take on multiple defenders or attempt difficult plays. His ‘Hand of God’ goal in the 1986 World Cup is a controversial example of his audacity.
  4. Exploiting Spaces: Maradona’s dribbling skill and vision allowed him to exploit spaces in the opposition defense that other players wouldn’t even attempt to navigate. His second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup, often called the ‘Goal of the Century,’ is a prime example of this, where he dribbled past five English players to score.
  5. Technical Skill: Maradona’s extraordinary technical skills, including his dribbling, ball control, and shooting ability, allowed him to try and succeed in plays that would be considered too risky or difficult for most other players.

Open for Reasoning

  1. Adaptability: Throughout his career, Maradona demonstrated a great ability to adapt to different teams, styles of play, and positions on the field. This suggests that he was open to new strategies and tactics, and could adjust his thinking based on the situation at hand.
  2. Problem-Solving: Maradona’s style of play often involved outwitting his opponents and finding creative solutions to challenges on the pitch. This indicates a high degree of logical thinking and problem-solving ability.
  3. Learning from Experience: Despite facing numerous personal and professional challenges throughout his career, Maradona continued to excel in football and learn from his experiences. This suggests a degree of openness to feedback and ability to change his approach based on evidence.

Submissive

  1. Team Player: Maradona was often praised for his ability to work with his teammates and contribute to the overall success of the team. He was not a selfish player and was known for his ability to assist as well as score goals. This could be seen as a form of submissiveness in the sense that he was willing to put the needs of the team above his own personal glory.
  2. Resilience: Maradona was frequently targeted by aggressive defensive tactics, which often involved physical fouling. Instead of retaliating or losing his temper, he typically responded by continuing to play and demonstrating his skill. This could potentially be seen as a form of submissiveness in the sense that he accepted the physical treatment without protest.
  3. Respect for Authority: While Maradona was known for his strong personality, he also demonstrated respect for his coaches and their strategies. He was able to adapt his style of play to fit different systems and strategies, suggesting a willingness to follow instructions and work within a structured environment.

Rebel

Diego Maradona was known for his rebellious nature throughout his life and career. “Rebelling” in this context likely refers to his tendency to resist authority, break rules, or challenge the status quo. Here are some instances that could illustrate why Maradona would score high on “Rebelling”:

  1. Confronting Authority: Maradona was known for his outspoken nature and was never shy about expressing his opinions, even when they went against the grain. He often clashed with soccer authorities, coaches, and the media.
  2. Rule-Breaking: One of the most famous examples of Maradona’s rule-breaking came in the 1986 World Cup, when he punched the ball into the net in a move that became known as the “Hand of God.” This act of defiance against the rules of the game is one of the most iconic moments in soccer history.
  3. Fighting Injustice: Maradona often spoke out against what he perceived as injustice. For example, he was a vocal critic of FIFA, accusing the organization of corruption and inequality.
  4. Personal Life: Maradona’s off-field life was marked by a number of controversies, including substance abuse and legal issues. This rebellious behavior often brought him into conflict with societal norms and expectations.
  5. Political Beliefs: Maradona was openly political and was known for his support of leftist leaders and causes. This often put him at odds with more conservative elements of society.

Profile: Tony Cascarino = brain type #6, the Loyalist

Autonomy

Tony Cascarino, a retired Irish footballer, scores high on autonomy due to several reasons:

  1. Independent Decision-making: Throughout his career, Cascarino demonstrated a capacity to make independent decisions. Whether it was choosing to play for Ireland through his adopted nationality, despite being born in England, or making key decisions about transfers during his career, he often displayed a degree of independence and autonomy.
  2. Self-reliance on the Pitch: On the pitch, Cascarino was known for his ability to play as a lone striker, relying on his own skills and instincts to score goals. This demonstrated a level of self-reliance, a key aspect of autonomy.
  3. Post-football Career: Following his retirement from professional football, Cascarino transitioned into a career as a football pundit and writer. The ability to successfully navigate a career change and establish oneself in a new field often requires a high degree of autonomy.
  4. Public Commentary: As a pundit and columnist, Cascarino has often shown a willingness to voice his own opinions, even when they may be unpopular or controversial. This suggests a level of autonomy in his thinking and a willingness to stand by his own convictions.

Exploration

Tony Cascarino scores high on Exploration due to various aspects of his career and personal traits:

  1. Career Moves: Throughout his career, Cascarino played for a range of clubs across different leagues and countries. His willingness to move and adapt to new teams, styles of play, and cultures indicates a high level of exploration.
  2. Playing Style: Cascarino was known for his dynamic playing style. He was a forward who was willing to venture into different positions and make unexpected moves to create scoring opportunities, indicating a willingness to explore different strategies on the field.
  3. Post-football Career: After retiring from professional football, Cascarino transitioned into a career as a football pundit and columnist, demonstrating a willingness to explore new career paths and professions.
  4. Opinions and Analysis: In his role as a pundit and columnist, Cascarino is known for his insightful and often novel analysis of the game. His willingness to explore and present new perspectives and ideas further indicates a high level of exploration.

Detached

  1. Composed Demeanor: Cascarino has been known for his calm and composed demeanor both on and off the field. He often maintained a level of emotional distance during high-pressure situations, which could be seen as a form of detachment.
  2. Independent Decision-making: Cascarino demonstrated independence in his career, making decisions that were best for him, even if they were unpopular. This might be seen as a form of detachment, as he was not overly swayed by the opinions or expectations of others.
  3. Post-football Career: Cascarino transitioned to a career as a football pundit and writer after his playing career ended. His ability to objectively analyze and critique games and players, including those he played with or against, could indicate a level of professional detachment.
  4. Private Life: Cascarino has managed to maintain a relatively private personal life, despite being a public figure. This could be seen as a form of personal detachment.

Openness for Reasoning

  1. Analytical Punditry: As a football pundit, Cascarino is known for his insightful analysis of games, indicating a strong ability to reason and understand the complexities of football strategies and tactics.
  2. Career Decisions: Throughout his playing career, Cascarino made a number of significant career decisions, such as moving between clubs and countries. These decisions likely required a high degree of reasoning and consideration of various factors, such as the style of play, cultural differences, and career progression opportunities.
  3. Adaptability: Cascarino’s ability to adapt to different teams, playing styles, and even career paths (from professional player to pundit) suggests a willingness to learn and understand new situations, which is a key aspect of openness to reasoning.
  4. Public Commentary: In his public commentary and writing, Cascarino often presents well-reasoned arguments and perspectives, further indicating his ability to think critically and reason effectively.

Unenthusiasm

  1. Reserved Demeanor: Cascarino is known for his composed and somewhat reserved demeanor, both on and off the field. While this can be a strength in maintaining composure under pressure, it might also be interpreted as a lack of enthusiasm, particularly when compared to more outwardly emotive personalities.
  2. Candid Reflections: Cascarino has been candid about the challenges and pressures of professional football. His honest reflections about the tougher aspects of the sport might be interpreted as a lack of enthusiasm by some.
  3. Objective Analysis: In his role as a pundit, Cascarino provides balanced and objective analysis, rather than being overtly partisan or emotional. This professional approach could be perceived as unenthusiastic, especially by those who are used to more passionate displays of support or criticism.

Submissive

  1. Team Player: Cascarino was known for being a strong team player on the field. He often prioritized the team’s success over individual glory, which could be interpreted as a form of submissiveness, in the sense of willingly accepting the role designated to him for the good of the team.
  2. Respect for Authority: Throughout his career, there have been instances where Cascarino has shown respect for the decisions of coaches and managers, even when these decisions may not have been in his personal favor. This willingness to accept and abide by the decisions of authority figures could be interpreted as submissiveness.
  3. Adaptable Playing Style: Cascarino was known for his ability to adapt his playing style to fit different teams and systems. This adaptability could be seen as a form of submissiveness, in the sense of adjusting his own preferences and style for the benefit of the team.

Profile: Marco van Basten = brain type #5, the Analyst

Autonomy


Marco van Basten, a renowned Dutch footballer and coach, demonstrates high autonomy due to several reasons:

  1. Individualistic Playing Style: Van Basten was known for his unique style of play. He relied on his own skills and instincts on the pitch, often taking independent actions that led to game-changing moments. His famous volley in the 1988 European Championship final is a prime example of this.
  2. Coaching Philosophy: As a coach, van Basten showed a strong preference for making independent decisions and implementing his own tactics and strategies, often irrespective of conventional wisdom or external pressures.
  3. Career Decisions: Van Basten made some key decisions in his career that demonstrated his autonomy. For instance, his decision to retire at the relatively young age of 28 due to an ankle injury, resisting pressure to continue playing, demonstrates his independent judgement and willingness to prioritize his health over his career.
  4. Advocacy for Change: Post retirement, van Basten has frequently voiced his ideas for reforming football, including changes to the offside rule, advocating for ‘sin bins’ instead of yellow cards, and reducing the number of games played. These proposals reflect his autonomous thinking and his willingness to challenge the status quo.

Detached

Marco van Basten’s perceived high score on Detachment could be due to several aspects of his personality and career:

  1. Private Nature: Van Basten is known to be private and reserved. He tends to keep a low profile and is not often seen engaging in media or publicity events outside of his professional obligations. This could be interpreted as a form of detachment.
  2. Early Retirement: Van Basten retired from professional football at a relatively young age due to injury. His decision to step away from the game, despite his immense talent and success, could be seen as a form of detachment.
  3. Coaching Style: As a coach, Van Basten was known for his disciplined and somewhat reserved coaching style. He was not typically seen as overly emotional or reactive during games, which may give an impression of detachment.
  4. Stance on Football Reforms: Van Basten has proposed several radical changes to the rules of football, such as abolishing the offside rule and introducing ‘sin bins.’ These proposals, which challenge long-standing traditions of the game, could be interpreted as a form of detachment from established norms.

It’s important to note that being detached does not necessarily mean being indifferent or uncaring. In Van Basten’s case, his detachment might be more about maintaining a sense of professional distance and focus.

Callous

  1. Direct Communication Style: Van Basten is known for his direct and straightforward communication style. While this can be effective, it might sometimes be perceived as insensitive or dismissive, particularly if others interpret his directness as a lack of tact or empathy.
  2. Unconventional Proposals: Van Basten has suggested several radical changes to football rules, which have not always been well-received. His insistence on these changes, despite opposition, could be interpreted by some as a disregard for tradition and the opinions of others.
  3. Coaching Decisions: As a coach, Van Basten made decisions that were not always popular with players or fans. While this is common in coaching, those affected might perceive these actions as callous if they felt their views or feelings were not considered.

Unenthusiastic

  1. Reserved Demeanor: Van Basten is known for his composed and somewhat reserved demeanor. He’s not typically seen as overly expressive or emotive, particularly in comparison to other footballers or coaches. This could be interpreted as a lack of enthusiasm.
  2. Early Retirement: Van Basten retired from professional football at the relatively young age of 28 due to an ankle injury. While this decision was primarily driven by health concerns, some may interpret this early exit from the sport as a lack of enthusiasm for continuing his career in spite of the challenges.
  3. Coaching Style: As a coach, Van Basten was often seen as focused and disciplined, rather than overtly passionate or excitable. Some might interpret this professional approach as unenthusiastic, even though it could equally be a reflection of his serious, concentrated approach to the job.
  4. Public Statements: Some of Van Basten’s public statements about football, such as his proposals to change certain rules of the game, might be interpreted as criticism of the current state of the sport, possibly reflecting a lack of enthusiasm.

Profile: Romario = brain type #4, the Romantic

Autonomy

Romário, a retired Brazilian footballer and now a politician, is often associated with a high degree of autonomy. This is due to several factors:

  1. Independent decision-making: Throughout his career, Romário often took matters into his own hands. He was known for his individual playing style on the pitch, often taking on opponents single-handedly. He was also not afraid to make independent decisions off the pitch, such as when he decided to return to Brazil to play despite having offers from top European clubs.
  2. Self-reliance: Romário has often been seen as someone who is self-reliant and capable of taking care of himself. He rarely relied on others to accomplish his goals, whether in his football career or in politics.
  3. Political career: Romário’s move into politics further exemplifies his autonomy. He has often stood up for his beliefs, even when they were unpopular or against party lines. His political career demonstrates a strong desire to influence the direction of his country according to his own principles and beliefs.
  4. Public statements: Romário’s public statements often reflect a high degree of self-confidence and a belief in his own abilities. This is a characteristic often associated with high levels of autonomy.

Antagonistic

Romário, throughout his career as a footballer and later as a politician, has exhibited traits associated with antagonism. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Confrontational style: Romário has been known for his confrontational and often aggressive style both on and off the field. He was never one to back down from a challenge and often took an adversarial approach when dealing with opponents or critics.
  2. Verbal disputes: Throughout his career, Romário has been involved in numerous verbal disputes with fellow players, coaches, and even sports journalists. His blunt and often provocative statements have led to various controversies.
  3. Political stance: As a politician, Romário has often taken a combative stance against corruption and inequality. While this is generally seen as positive, his strong words and actions against perceived enemies can also be seen as antagonistic.
  4. Rebellious behavior: Romário has often shown a disregard for authority, rules, and established norms. This was evident in his football career, where he often clashed with coaches and team management, and it continues in his political career.

Belligerent

Romário’s high score on Belligerent could be attributed to his frequent confrontations and outspoken nature, both on and off the football pitch. Here are some reasons why:

  1. Aggressive style: Romário was known for his aggressive playing style, often challenging opponents with his strong physique and deft skills. This assertive approach often extended off the field as well.
  2. Verbal confrontations: He was not shy about expressing his opinions and often engaged in verbal confrontations with others. This includes public disputes with coaches, other players, sports officials, and journalists.
  3. No-nonsense attitude: Romário has a reputation for being a no-nonsense individual. He doesn’t mince words and often communicates his feelings and opinions very directly, which can sometimes be perceived as belligerent.
  4. Political boldness: In his political career, Romário has shown a willingness to confront corrupt practices and social inequalities, often taking an aggressive stance against those he sees as being responsible for these issues.

Enthusiasm

Romário’s high score on Enthusiasm can be attributed to several aspects of his personality and public persona:

  1. Passion for football: Romário’s love for the game of football was always evident. His enthusiasm was clear in the way he played the game, celebrated his goals, and spoke about football. He often expressed his passion, which likely contributed to his overall success in the sport.
  2. Outgoing personality: Romário has been known for his outgoing and expressive personality. He was often seen celebrating with great enthusiasm both on and off the pitch, and he never shied away from expressing his emotions publicly.
  3. Political activism: As a politician, Romário has shown a great deal of enthusiasm in his advocacy work, particularly around issues like social inequality and corruption. His fervor for these issues is apparent in his speeches and public appearances.
  4. Resilience: Despite facing numerous challenges and controversies throughout his career, Romário’s enthusiasm never seemed to wane. He always bounced back with the same level of energy and determination, demonstrating his resilience.

Profile: Ronaldo = brain type #2, the Helper

Exploitation

In the context of football, “exploitation” often refers to the ability to take full advantage and derive benefit from opportunities on the field. In the case of a football player like Cristiano Ronaldo, these opportunities would include scoring chances, defensive weaknesses, and advantageous matchups.

  1. Scoring Chances: Ronaldo is renowned for his ability to exploit scoring chances. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and is highly efficient in front of goal. This ability to exploit scoring chances could contribute to a high score in Exploitation.
  2. Defensive Weaknesses: Ronaldo is also known for his ability to exploit weaknesses in opposing defenses. He often uses his speed, skill, and strength to get past defenders and create scoring opportunities. This ability to exploit defensive weaknesses could also contribute to a high score in Exploitation.
  3. Advantageous Matchups: Ronaldo often exploits advantageous matchups on the field. For example, if he’s being marked by a slower defender, he might use his speed to get past them. Or if he’s being marked by a smaller defender, he might use his strength and aerial ability to win headers. This ability to exploit advantageous matchups could further contribute to a high score in Exploitation.

Openness for Experience

Openness to Experience is a personality trait characterized by a willingness to try new things, a high degree of creativity, and a preference for variety and diversity.

  1. Willingness to Try New Things: Ronaldo has played for several top clubs in different countries, including Manchester United in England, Real Madrid in Spain and Juventus in Italy. This willingness to move to different leagues and adapt to different styles of play could contribute to a high score in Openness to Experience.
  2. Creativity: Ronaldo is known for his creativity on the field. He often tries new moves and techniques, and he’s not afraid to take risks during games. This creativity could also contribute to a high score in Openness to Experience.
  3. Preference for Variety and Diversity: Ronaldo’s career has been characterized by a high degree of variety and diversity. He’s played in several different positions, adapted to different styles of play, and worked under different managers. This preference for variety and diversity could further contribute to a high score in Openness to Experience.

Orderliness

Orderliness is a personality trait characterized by a preference for organization, structure, and cleanliness. It’s associated with a desire for predictability and control over one’s environment.

  1. Organization: Ronaldo is known for his disciplined lifestyle and rigorous training routine. He follows a strict diet, maintains a regular sleep schedule, and spends a significant amount of time each day training and practicing. This level of organization could contribute to a high score in Orderliness.
  2. Structure: Ronaldo’s approach to football is highly structured. He often works with personal trainers and coaches to develop detailed training plans and strategies. This preference for structure could also contribute to a high score in Orderliness.
  3. Control: Ronaldo is known for his desire to control every aspect of his performance. He pays close attention to his diet, fitness, and mental preparation, and he’s always looking for ways to improve. This desire for control could further contribute to a high score in Orderliness.

Assertive

Assertiveness is a personality trait characterized by confidence, self-assuredness, and the ability to express oneself forcefully.

  1. Confidence: Ronaldo is known for his confidence on and off the field. He often takes on leadership roles within his teams and is not afraid to take the decisive shot in crucial moments. This confidence could contribute to a high score in Assertiveness.
  2. Self-Assuredness: Ronaldo has a strong belief in his abilities and his worth. He has often stated that he considers himself to be one of the best players in the world, and his performances on the field back up this belief. This self-assuredness could also contribute to a high score in Assertiveness.
  3. Forceful Expression: Ronaldo is not shy about expressing his opinions and standing up for himself. Whether it’s disagreeing with a referee’s decision or responding to criticism in the media, Ronaldo is often assertive in his responses. This ability to express himself forcefully could further contribute to a high score in Assertiveness.