When I began my coaching education journey in Spain over 16 years ago, my instructor posed a fundamental question: What would you consider a successful coaching career? My initial response was a preconceived notion: “To become the manager of FC Barcelona.” However, the instructor followed up with a question that deeply resonated with me: “So, if you coach a team in the Europa League (UEFA at that time), would that be a failure?” I immediately grasped the essence of his message, and it reshaped my perspective. What I truly aspired to be was a professional coach, and over the years, I’ve come to realize that there’s no such thing as failure when you give your best effort and establish realistic and fair expectations for yourself.

Success means reach the expectations.

Expectations: The Key Distinction Between Success and Failure

In any competitive environment, success is often measured by a winner and the rest who do not secure the top spot. In a league with 20 teams, you have one champion and 19 teams that do not win the championship. If there are relegation spots, let’s say three, then you have one champion, 16 teams that do not win the championship, and three more teams that face disappointment as they won’t have the opportunity to compete for the league title next season.

However, this pattern applies to most competitions. Teams set different objectives for the season, which are essentially their expectations. Typically, we have the top 8-10 teams with the expectation of securing a place in European competitions. Teams ranking from 10-14 aim to avoid relegation and perhaps strive for a surprise entry into European competitions without becoming overly fixated on it. Lastly, the bottom 6-8 teams engage in a fierce battle to escape relegation. The number of teams aiming for each objective may vary, but it provides a clear perspective on how expectations differ among teams.

Interestingly, we might encounter a scenario where the team finishing 16th is happier than the team finishing 8th. This paradox arises because the 16th-placed team met its expectations, whereas the 8th-placed team did not.

Setting Realistic Expectations for Players

Recognizing that expectations can significantly influence perception, we leverage expectations positively at XVAcademy. We endeavor to set realistic expectations, targets, and objectives for our players, empowering them to attain these goals. When players consistently meet these expectations, they become happier, more confident, and better prepared for future challenges. Conversely, if we set expectations or goals too high, players may become frustrated, potentially leading to subpar performances. It’s worth noting that a player’s satisfaction or disappointment can stem from their expectations, even with the same level of performance. At XVAcademy, we prioritize cultivating content and motivated players who continuously improve.

Furthermore, the expectations we establish for our players are individualized, ensuring that they align with each player’s unique performance and development goals. These individual objectives keep players focused on their personal growth and performance, even when the team falls short of meeting collective expectations.

Xavi