Developing Politically Astute Football Coaches: An Evolving Framework for Coach Learning and Coaching Research

In this chapter, we provide an initial sketch of an evolving framework for supporting the development of politically astute football coaches and promoting future coaching inquiry in this topic area. It is one which integrates Hartley and colleagues’ ground-breaking scholarship with key concepts from symbolic interactionist, dramaturgical, and relational sociology. In terms of its structure, the chapter begins with a short introduction. Following this, background information on the origin and development of Hartley and colleagues’ framework of political astuteness is provided. The focus then shifts to considering several key elements of her framework. These are personal skills, interpersonal skills, reading people and situations, and building alignment and alliances. Within each section, we (1) define the component, (2) consider its applicability to coaching, (3) suggest future related lines of coaching research, and (4) briefly outline relevant concepts from symbolic interactionist (e.g., identity and interests), dramaturgical (e.g., impression management, team performance, the intra and inter-personal management of emotion) and relational (e.g., social network mapping and analysis) theorising that could be utilised to enrich coach learning. Finally, the chapter concludes by summarising, and reflecting on, the key points raised.