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The Assistant
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The modern game is all about the squad. The deeper your bench, the better chance you have of success, especially if you have a super sub. Substitutes are the players not selected in the starting 11. They can be brought on during the match to replace players, due to injuries, for tactical reasons, poor performance, or fitness concerns. In the Premier League there are 9 substitutes on the bench, 5 of which can be used during three substitution windows. The number of players on the bench increases to 12 for Champions League matches.
The first ever substitute in the English game was Keith Peacock of Charlton, who came on to replace the injured goalkeeper Mike Rose in a match against Bolton in August 1965. Before then, injured players would have to play on or leave the team with 10 men.
An interim coach is put in temporary charge of a team when a manager or head coach has been sacked, resigned, or left by mutual consent. Sometimes referred to as ‘Caretaker Manager’. If near the start or the middle of the season, an interim coach can be expected to be in charge for 2-3 games until a new manager is found. Later in the season, an interim coach may be put in charge until the end of the season, like Michael Carrick at Manchester United.
Tony Parkes was interim coach for Blackburn Rovers a staggering six times between 1986 and 2004.
Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne jointly hold the Premier League record with 20 assists for Henry in the 2002/03 season and 20 assists for KDB in the 2019/20 season. Legends of the game.
The moment a team wins the ball back and can attack immediately, before the opposition has a chance to reorganise. Fast attacking transitions can cause chaos, catching teams with players out of position who were just on the attack themselves. Some teams build their entire DNA and game tactics around winning the ball back and attacking quickly.
Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League, specialising in high-pressing turnovers that lead to fast attacking transitions. Utilising the pace of attackers like Rayan (and Semenyo before he signed for Manchester City), his teams are always one of the most effective in fast breakaways leading to chances on goal.
When a player gains possession for their team after the ball was previously contested or loose. Different from tackles or interceptions - it's about picking up second balls, collecting clearances, and mopping up loose possession. Midfielders who win lots of ball recoveries are often underrated because the stat doesn't get as much attention as tackles or goals but it is vital for gaining control as a team.
N'Golo Kanté consistently ranked among Europe's top players for ball recoveries - his ability to appear everywhere at once and collect second balls made Chelsea's midfield impossible to play through.