The Challenges of Managing Kylian Mbappé in Football

PSG’s management structure has caused issues for the club. Frequent changes in leadership, including sporting directors and club presidents, have led to mixed messaging and inconsistent expectations for coaches. This makes it hard to develop a long-term strategy when priorities shift every season.

Mauricio Pochettino’s time at PSG illustrates this problem. He won Ligue 1 and maintained a competitive league position, yet was dismissed after PSG’s exit from the Champions League, a key goal for the club.

While PSG consistently dominated in France, European competitions highlighted tactical weaknesses that critics claimed Pochettino could not address. His departure was seen as an attempt to find a manager capable of achieving that coveted continental trophy.

This impatience has led PSG to hire and fire several coaches in recent years. Coaches faced challenges with squad balance and alignment with player capabilities, expected to find quick fixes.

Critics pointed out that PSG’s reliance on star players created a lack of tactical unity. Instead of adapting strategies to the team’s strengths and weaknesses, leadership often blamed coaches for the inconsistency.

Kylian Mbappé’s presence heightened both expectations and pressure. With one of Europe’s most potent attacks, any coach attempting comprehensive changes risked upsetting the balance surrounding a superstar. This limited coaching freedom, making every tactical decision subject to intense public scrutiny.

Moving To Real Madrid Didn’t Stop The Turnover

After a complicated departure from PSG, Mbappé joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, a long-held dream to play for one of football’s most prestigious clubs.

However, his arrival did not bring stability to coaching. Carlo Ancelotti, a seasoned manager, lasted only one season after Mbappé joined, leaving after a disappointing title defense and a shift in internal dynamics.

Real Madrid then appointed Xabi Alonso, seen as a long-term management solution. However, Alonso’s tenure ended after just seven months, following inconsistent performances and team challenges, particularly after a setback in the Super Cup. This rapid coaching turnover in Spain underscores how elite clubs react to the combination of superstar talent and high ambitions.

Real Madrid is known for regularly changing coaches, even during successful seasons, but with a generational talent like Mbappé, the pressure intensifies. There is less room for gradual improvements; it is about immediate results.

In just eight years, through his time at PSG and Real Madrid, Mbappé has seen numerous managers leave early. This pattern highlights that coaching around him is a high-pressure, quick-turnover job.

What This Means For Future Coaches And Clubs

This trend suggests that managing high-caliber players like Mbappé requires more than just tactical knowledge. It demands excellent communication, psychological insight, and alignment with the club’s goals.

Coaches who think they can quickly implement major system changes often find themselves at a disadvantage. The modern football landscape involves managing personalities and media narratives while keeping pace with shifting strategic goals.

Clubs with star players need to ensure greater stability if they aim for long-term success. They should avoid rash decisions when results falter and instead support head coaches through effective recruitment and consistent messaging.

For Mbappé, this ongoing situation could impact his legacy if not viewed in context. His talent is unquestionable, but the pressure associated with his status affects coaching expectations.

Whether this is justified remains debatable; nonetheless, it has become a significant aspect of the narrative surrounding Mbappé’s career. Time will reveal if future managers at Real Madrid can break this cycle and foster stability.

One thing is certain: the clock is ticking for every coach working with Mbappé. In the high-stakes environment of elite football, successful tenures are often measured in months instead of years.