BUILDING A DYNASTY.

What are the ingredients for a teams sustained success?

The greatest feeling as a football fan is living through a 6-7 year spell full of bliss and success. The turn of the century has seen a fairly good number of football dynasties rise and fall. Some notable ones include Manchester United (2007-2011), FC Barcelona (2008-2012), Real Madrid (2016-2018) and Manchester City (2018-2023). But what do all these teams' success stories have in common? Let’s find out.

1. A GREAT SQUAD

Having an exemplary squad of talented players is a key component of any successful team. However, having just an excellent eleven isn’t enough. A team also needs an equally stacked bench to keep up with the mandates of a long and demanding season. The bench also comes in handy when injuries inevitably happen. Manchester City’s squad during their period of dominance is a great example of what a squad needs to be.

2. A MASTERFUL COACHING STAFF

Without question, the appointment of the manager and their coaching staff needs to be spot on. The manager is responsible for the team’s playstyle. The tactics and game plans they employ need to be tailored to the players’ profiles. A manager also needs to be very flexible in their selections. This is because different teams present different challenges, and thus rotating the team around keeps opposition managers guessing. It also helps the team exploit the weaknesses of their matchday opponents. It’s also important that the manager knows how to adapt to the game state and make the necessary changes to get the win. Pep Guardiola is the perfect example of a manager who keeps things fresh as the seasons go by. His understanding of his players in relation to his tactical demands is also top-notch. It’s no surprise that he has had success in all of the clubs he’s managed.

3. GREAT SCOUTING TEAM AND YOUTH ACADEMY

The team responsible for recruitment needs to be worth its salt. The scouting team is responsible for the prolonged success of any team. They keep an eye out for emerging prospects and seasoned players who could be a great addition to the team. The success of it all for me is hellbent on the scouting team working in tandem with the manager. The scouts need to tailor their search to the manager’s tactical needs. This ensures that the players signed fit in seamlessly. The youth academy is also a key component for a team’s success. It provides manpower that is essential for a team during the long season. The youth academy also provides homegrown players who are well familiar with the club ethos and tactical presets. La Masia and Cobham have come in handy for Barcelona and Chelsea, respectively.

4. GREAT MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

The higher-ups of a club are probably the most important piece of the puzzle. A football club's long-term success starts at the top. Without stable and visionary leadership, even clubs with elite players and managers can crumble. The best-run clubs have owners and executives who think long-term, rather than chasing immediate success with reckless spending or constant managerial changes. Chelsea under Roman Abramovich in the early years set the perfect example of what sustainable spending looks like. They struck the perfect balance between spending and a strong recruitment strategy. On the other hand, PSG and Manchester United in recent years spent heavily but without a sense of direction. It’s also important that a club avoid toxic ownership and internal chaos. FC Barcelona during Bartomeu’s tenure as president was detrimental to the club’s success. Similarly, Manchester United under the Glazers’ stewardship has been a major cause for their torrid times in the last 10 years. This is because the Glazers have prioritized commercial profits over football success.

5. ETHOS, INGENUITY AND LUCK

In order to get to and stay at the top, a winning DNA is non-negotiable. It’s not just about talents and tactics; it’s also about mentality, attitude and club culture. How does the team respond to adversity? The most dominant teams in history share common traits: a relentless drive for excellence, leaders who demand the best every day and a culture that refuses to accept mediocrity. All these ensure the cub doesn’t falter when it’s crunch time. Real Madrid have demonstrated this time and time again in the UEFA Champions League. Sometimes, you also need individual brilliance to bail you out. A stroke of genius could go a long way to help the team get an important victory especially when the game is deadlocked. Players like Messi, Neymar, Iniesta and Ronaldinho have been instrumental for their clubs success when they produced moments of magic out of nothing. Getting the rub of the green could also prove to be pivotal to a team during the season. It’s unrealistic to expect to dominate each and every game, and sometimes teams need a little luck to get themselves over the line.

These, among many other factors like global influence and fan engagement, ensure that a club stays dominant for years to come.