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As a young boy growing up in the charming Austrian town of Riedau, Oliver Glasner, now the manager of Crystal Palace, had a unique perspective owing to his close proximity to the German border. This allowed him access to a broader range of football on German TV channels, shaping his passion for the beautiful game.
In fact, Glasner is just one of many Premier League managers this season who have been influenced by their border-town upbringing. With nine out of twenty managers raised within 50 kilometers of a national border, the impact of geographical location on their managerial styles and philosophies cannot be ignored.
Among these frontier managers, such as Unai Emery from the Basque Country and Erik ten Hag from the Netherlands, there lies a common thread of openness and curiosity that transcends borders. Their unique backgrounds have shaped their management styles, influencing how they approach the game and interact with players.
Emery, for instance, with his extensive managerial experience across multiple countries, embodies the essence of a true frontier coach. His journey from Spain to England highlights the impact of borders on an individual’s career path and personal development.
Each manager’s upbringing near a border has instilled in them a unique perspective that reflects in their coaching methodologies. For some, like Arne Slot from the Netherlands, this proximity has fostered a critical thinking approach, challenging traditional football norms and pushing boundaries.
While big cities are often hubs of business and innovation, many Premier League managers hail from smaller border towns, where hard work and a strong work ethic are deeply ingrained in their upbringing. This blend of cultural influences and geographical factors shapes their managerial ethos and decision-making processes.
Evidence of the Ten Hag property empire in Haaksbergen (Simon Hughes/The Athletic)
From Catalonia to the Basque Country, each manager’s unique background and upbringing near a border have shaped their approach to football management. It’s a season of exploration, innovation, and boundary-pushing for the frontier managers of the Premier League!
(Top photos: Getty Images; design: John Bradford)
