What is the difference between a coach and a manager? I’m asking seriously, because I notices that there are clubs where the manager is an icon whereas others in which it’s the coach (or at least I think so).
Are there situations in which the manager and coach are one and the same?
Who are some famous coaches - especially ones that might be accidentally considered managers?
Again, these questions are asked seriously.
Genuine managers barely exist anymore.
A manager is someone who is hands on with almost all aspects of the club. Transfers, youth teams, etc. At the top level, that’s almost impossible nowadays. Ferguson would be an obvious example of a manager. It appears to be a mostly British concept. On the continent, it has long been standard to have division of labour between a specific football exec (Director or Football, Technical Director or whatever title you want to give them) and the 1st team head coach.
Some managers (Like Martin O’Neil at Leicester and Celtic)wouldn’t even be involved much on the training ground and would maintain a bit of distance from the players with the assistance manager being more involved and friendly with the players.
A coach is responsible for the 1st team. That would be tactics, training, matchday etc. They will usually have the final say on transfers but won’t be actively involved in the whole business.