The concepts here are taken from Communication & Psychological Warfare ‘10.

In Football it is often managerial rivalry that gets focused upon. We like to see fights, controversial comments and psychological warfare that happens during the press conferences to unnerve the opposition managers into a response. Sir Alex Ferguson has already shown us how this has benefited him against the Keegan and Benitiez. But what we don’t know is what happens behind the scenes, we don’t get to see the friendships that blossom amongst the top managers in the Premiership and we are quick to forget those that have worked closely together. Football Manager allows you to create friendships within the game, but how does this benefit your Football Manager performance?

Good transfer policy

Making friends in Football manager is all about trying to create relationships with other managers in the game and hopefully become a favoured personnel of theirs. Making friends with managers can be an excellent strategy for smaller clubs as it can give you the advantage in the transfer market.

If you see that Wenger is producing a lot wonnderkids.Flatting him will make him more willing to do business with you. Being able to gain access to these younger players now will help your bank balance as well as your squad as you will be more likely to get the players you want on loan without having the pay any fees or wages.

But this is not restricted to loans alone. Those managers that you have become friends with will also be more willing to accept your bids, helping you snap up players at bargain prices. You will also have the advantage on other clubs if a bidding war may ensues. You will be the best positioned to have your bids accepted first, even if bids at other clubs are being rejected at the same price.

How to make friends

Making friends with managers is much harder then it is with other players in the game, these can obviously be your rivals in the game when it comes to match day. So it comes to reason why many maybe reluctant to become your friend.

Building friendships is a long term game. You should target your manager of choice straight away, making comments in the media to flatter him. Connecting with them on a regular basis will allow you to get the best result, but be careful not to praise too much and lose value in what you are saying. But you will get the best results from meeting up with the manager on match day. Use friendlies to connect bases with those managers you wouln’t get to see on a regular basis elsewhere such as foreign or higher tier managers.

Managing for years on end in the game, you will come into contact with many players, coaches and other managers. If you use the media well and earn respect by winning games, you will naturally become a favoured personnel of players and coaches who could be the managers of the future. Don’t shy away from interacting with those at the club already, you maybe fostering a network of managers that could give you an advantage further down the line. How many times have you seen your players go on to manage top clubs?

What managers have you become friends with?

Deflecting the pressure

Making comments about other managers will have an affect on your own squad, watch how your side reacts to each of your comments. Some may not take to kindly to your comments, don’t pay too much attention to those reacting badly but keep an eye on their morale and if it affects their performances. Comments on other managers though can really help deflect the pressure of title chance or big games onto somebody else, helping bring out the best in your players during big games, helping prevent players getting too nervous on the pitch.

An often overlooked, simple but potentially fruitful strategy as you pursue a ingame career. How have you developed your own friendship networks in the game and how do you think they have helped you?

We talk even more about these concepts in Communication & Psychological Warfare ’10 which you can download now.