When it comes to effective sports management, football clubs around the world apply various planning models, each tailored to their unique structure, values, and goals.
The mixed model—as exemplified by Sevilla Fútbol Club—balances input from three main pillars: the president, the coach, and sports management.
Unlike the presidential model, where power is centralized with the club’s president, or the Anglo-Saxon model, which focuses on the coach’s control, Sevilla’s mixed approach distributes responsibilities across these key roles.
This structure fosters a collaborative environment that allows the club to navigate both financial and sporting challenges with agility and precision.
1. The Role of the President
In Sevilla’s mixed model, the president and the Board of Directors play a critical role in economic management.
They hold the purse strings, making decisions that determine the club’s financial health and competitive potential.
From setting the budget for transfers to approving investments, the president ensures that the club operates within its economic means.
This oversight is crucial, as it keeps Sevilla financially stable while still allowing room for strategic player acquisitions and infrastructure improvements.
The president’s role is to establish the financial boundaries within which the club operates, providing the sports management team with a clear understanding of available resources.
This approach allows Sevilla to compete effectively in the market while maintaining a sustainable financial outlook, a vital factor in the club’s long-term success.
2. The Coach’s Role
The coach in the mixed model has a significant, yet defined, influence over player recruitment. Rather than specifying the exact players to be signed, the coach outlines desired player profiles that fit the team’s tactical needs.
For instance, a coach might specify the need for a left-back with strong aerial skills or a left-footed center-back adept at ball distribution.
By defining these characteristics, the coach provides a roadmap for sports management to follow when scouting and negotiating with potential signings.
This collaborative framework allows the coach to mold the squad in a way that aligns with their vision, without stepping into the operational complexities of market negotiations.
It’s a partnership that values the coach’s insight into the team’s tactical needs while respecting the financial constraints managed by the president.
3. Sports Management
At the heart of Sevilla’s mixed model is sports management—the bridge between the coach’s requirements and the president’s financial parameters.
Sports management is tasked with finding players who fit within the agreed-upon profiles and financial restrictions.
This involves scouting players who match the coach’s tactical needs and evaluating them based on both technical skill and cost-effectiveness.
By working closely with both the president and the coach, the sports management team ensures that player acquisitions are in sync with the club’s overall goals.
This balance prevents a disconnect between financial reality and sporting ambition, fostering a cohesive strategy that benefits all stakeholders involved.
The Power of the Mixed Model at Sevilla
The success of Sevilla’s mixed model lies in its flexibility and inclusivity. By involving the president, coach, and sports management team in the decision-making process, Sevilla creates a well-rounded strategy that adapts to changing circumstances.
This model allows the club to remain competitive in the face of economic constraints, all while staying true to the coach’s tactical vision.
The result is a harmonious blend of financial responsibility and sporting excellence—a model other clubs may look to for inspiration.
Conclusion
Sevilla Fútbol Club’s mixed model exemplifies a balanced approach to sports management, integrating financial oversight, tactical input, and strategic planning.
By leveraging the strengths of the president, coach, and sports management team, Sevilla has built a resilient structure capable of achieving success on the pitch without compromising financial stability.
This collaborative framework showcases how clubs can thrive by aligning economic reality with sports ambition, a strategy that has cemented Sevilla’s place among Europe’s elite football teams.