Sweetspot Communications’ Post

Why can’t the best England team in years win a final? On paper, this is indeed the most exciting England team in a generation. We were even made favourite for the Euros by the bookies, but unfortunately Southgate is tactically inept ….That is the simple truth. Once again, his very predictable starting 11 tactical choices failed him. We replicated the improved semi-final play, we pressed, but Jude Bellingham looked isolated for extended periods. An unfit Harry Kane at centre-forward was slow and ineffectual AGAIN. The Spain manager noted all of this, he also recognised we had another player who was not match-fit at left back with Luke Shaw. We ‘luckily’ won our way to the final because of the ‘reluctant’ use of substitutes by the manager which provided the necessary balance and attacking edge. Yet once again, ONLY in the final 20 minutes, when Ollie Watkins and Cole palmer came on did England find a dangerous attacking formation. They should have started the game, anyone that understands football knew this, that is everyone apart from Southgate … unlike his Spain counterpart. Instead, England have had to rely on fleeting moments of inspiration from its superstars, but Spain had a system and a highly competent manager to make effective use of such. So another lost final. But I truly believe the best for England is yet to come 🙏🏼, unfortunately that will never happen with Southgate as manager. …..Adiós Gareth. #success #winners #tactics #inspiration #innovation #management

You can learn more about the journey of the New Bern High School Football team and their turnaround from turmoil this upcoming season. For more about this story and similar follow: https://lnkd.in/eH4iYy6M

Something brilliant has been transpiring on the south coast of England in the small city of Brighton and Hove. Brighton and Hove Albon F.C have not only transformed their fortunes on the football pitch in the said decade and a half, in no small part to their fantastic chairman TonyBloom but also added value to their local economy off the pitch thanks to their on-field success. Tony Bloom’s era began in League One and Brighton currently finds itself among the premier league regulars with strong finances grounded in a shrewd transfer policy that would be the envy of any club across the premier league. The ethos of scouting young players, who have the potential to be world-beaters and giving them a platform to achieve just that in the world’s most popular league and then shipping them off to the bigger clubs for exorbitant price tags has been a phenomenal success. They have sold Ben White (50 million£), Marc Cucurella (55 million£ + 7 million£ in add-ons) and Moises Caicedo (100 million£ + 15 million£ in add-ons) in just the last three years. Their squad is brimming with multiple talents (Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Julio Enciso and many more) that could fetch similar sums in the coming years. They have built up a setup to be able to identify the right coaches over the years to continue and build on the success they have had previously. When Graham Potter was lured away by Chelsea (not before having to pay a fat fee to Brighton), they found a replacement in Roberto De Zerbi, who has got Brighton playing so well that you would be forgiven for thinking that he has been there for the last decade. They are already playing in European competition this season, what Brighton could achieve in the coming years is anybody’s guess but it would take a brave person to bet against them. This is a case of how management at the top could completely transform any institution through long-term vision, a strong fundamental understanding of all areas of the business and passion for the project. #BrightonandHoveAlbionFC #Football #Business #Transfers 

An exciting mix of youth and experience.... 💥 This is sure to be a cracker of a Six Nations, with many of the teams going through a bit of a post World Cup transition, of out with the old and in with the new. I'm betting this campaign could be a bit of an unpredictable one... Except for where the Wooden Spoon is heading, I think we all know it'll end up in Cardiff this year. 😅 We could take some inspiration from this squad when looking at our choices in Customer Experience technology. Steve Borthwick has recognised it's time for change in his squad. The old worked wonders (most of the time), but he is now envisaging the future, and that future brings new challenges which requires exciting change. There is always a risk with change, but he is surrounded by the right people to support and guide him through this process. This is a prime example of don't be afraid to take the leap and transform your offering. Perhaps you need a 2024 transition, but you don't know where to start and need support to guide you through the proccess. Maybe you're thinking of how to bring in new, exciting technologies such as AI to manage upcoming challenges? Route 101 are here to support you through this exciting period of change in 2024. As the year begins, let's take the opportunity to map out your technological journey and arrange a chat. #customerexperience #customersuccess #ai

Humble Pie Never Tasted So Sweet - A Lesson in Leadership and Unity 🥧🎉 Let’s take a moment to celebrate Gareth Southgate and the incredible journey of the England football team. Beating the Netherlands to secure a spot in the European Championship final against Spain is no small feat, and it marks England’s first final outside of its home turf. Southgate, often the target of critics, has proven his mettle as the most successful England manager in history. ⚽🏆 Sticking to the Plan and Leading with Unity One thing that stands out to me in this journey is how Southgate has managed to keep the players focused on the mission. Despite the noise from critics and doubters, the team has shown remarkable unity. Even those players who haven’t seen much game time have remained supportive and committed. Southgate isn’t just managing a squad; he’s managing a backroom staff and an entire nation’s expectations. 🇬🇧🙌 Success isn’t just about tactics or talent. It’s about sticking to a plan, maintaining focus, and fostering a sense of togetherness. Southgate has shown us that authentic leadership means guiding your team through adversity, not getting sidetracked by outside noise, and staying committed to the mission. 🚀💪 England has undoubtedly ridden their luck at times, but this journey also highlights the power of gratitude, humility, and manifesting what you truly believe in. Amazing things can happen when you combine hard work with a positive mindset. 🌟🙏 So, here’s to Gareth Southgate, the players, and everyone on this journey. It’s a powerful reminder that unity and commitment to the mission can overcome any obstacle in any organisation. And to all the doubters, it looks like it’s time to enjoy some humble pie! 🥧😋 I’ve heard a little rumour that Southgate might be the next Man United manager. Cue the critics! 🔥👀 Remember, whether on the pitch or in the office, stick to the plan, support each other, and don’t let the critics distract you. Success will follow. 💼👏 Stay focused, stay united, and celebrate this incredible achievement together! 🎉🔥 1 more to go!!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇪🇸 #Comeonengland #Resilience #Gratitude #Focus #Humility #Euros2024

Our president, Marc Guerrero, met yesterday with one of the most experienced football #executives at the top of European football, the new appointed Manchester United's CEO, Omar Berrada. There is an undeniable fascination with professional #football clubs the world over. But whilst the star players, head coaches and owners typically dominate the headlines, one of the most important figures in any club is undoubtedly its #CEO. What made CEOs successful in the past is no longer enough. The #context in which they operate has become fundamentally more #complex and traditional approaches to leadership are now insufficient. In the past, sporting success led to business success. That relationship is being reversed. In this #changing and increasingly stressful #environment, CEOs must bring to bear a unique blend of skills, experiences, and perspectives, as well as a knowledge of how to leverage the support of the board of directors, to help them run their football club.

At Least… ... England made it to the final. ... it didn’t go to penalties. ... England will have another chance in two years at the World Cup (unfortunately, my team, Italy, cannot say the same). ... the team is young and will have many more opportunities. ... the team played with heart and gave it their all. .. this is likely to be Gareth Southgate’s last game, and a new manager might be less cautious (though I believe Southgate has done a brilliant job). ... we should not (fingers crossed) see the same racism we witnessed after England’s last final defeat. ... you got to celebrate a goal in the final. ... we have the Premier League to look forward to next month. As Brené Brown says in her brilliant RSA short (see comments), “Rarely, if ever, does an empathic response begin with, ‘At least…’” Saying "at least" often minimises the significance of someone's hurt or concerns, making them feel undervalued or dismissed. It can also come across as insincere or condescending, undermining trust and communication. As an Italy fan, there is very little I can say other than I feel with you. I truly understand the impact of losing a final, and I sympathise with every English fan this morning. I am gutted for you. The feeling will subside, but right now, I totally get that you are hurting. However I do hope that in the future, if you ever find yourself saying ‘at least...,’ that you remember to check yourself and apologise for minimising someone’s feelings. Just let them know you are there for them right now. Often, that’s all they need to hear. #Empathy #Sympathy #AtLeast #InclusiveLeadership

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Exciting news to share

Gareth Southgate Resigns as England Manager In the wake of England's heart-wrenching 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, Gareth Southgate has stepped down as the national team's manager. Southgate, who served as manager for eight years, cited the need for "a new chapter" in his illustrious career. His tenure has seen England achieve remarkable highs, including a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and a Euro 2020 final. Despite the recent loss, Southgate's leadership brought renewed hope and respectability to English football. Reflecting on his time as manager, Southgate described playing for and managing England as "the honour of my life." His commitment and dedication have been evident throughout his tenure, having navigated the team through four major tournaments. His departure marks the end of an era, but it also heralds the beginning of a new phase for England. FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham has already stated that the process of appointing a new manager is underway, with an interim coach likely to take charge during the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. As Southgate steps aside, the football community is left to ponder his legacy. He undoubtedly laid a strong foundation for future success and fostered an environment where players could thrive. His departure signals an opportunity for fresh leadership to build on these foundations and take the England team to new heights. While speculation about his successor is rife, one thing is certain: Southgate's influence will be deeply missed. #GarethSouthgate #EnglandManager #Euro2024