Skinner says mental health of managers ‘a huge concern’

Rehanne Skinner, the manager of West Ham, is aware of how lonely her job can be, and thinks it’s common among women’s super league managers.

Frequently juggling expectations with little resources, constantly under scrutiny, and running the risk of being fired at any time during a winless run.

Because managers are taking on so many additional duties within a club, it becomes a thankless task that only makes things worse.

The 45-year-old has worked in the sport since 2002 and has also held positions in Wales and England, including at Leicester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, and West Ham.

Skinner’s three dogs have been a part of her mental health management strategy. She values their affection and the necessity of taking long walks outside, unaffected by football’s demands.

Alfie, the 14-year-old cocker spaniel, is the oldest and wisest of the three dogs, and he provides comfort to two-year-old sproodle Poppy, who trundles chasing deer for most of the walk. Lucky, an eight-year-old chocolate sproodle, is sensitive, “keeps Poppy in line,” and very playful.

Following a three-year stint at Tottenham, Skinner was hired by West Ham in 2023 after being accompanied by her dogs during the interview at Weald Country Park in Brentwood.

“My career has definitely had its highs and lows. The game has grown tremendously, but managers are now facing the highest demands, and the resources, support, and expectations frequently don’t match,” said Skinner.

“When that culminates in being fired, you must reevaluate everything.” It’s natural to question your methods, which can undermine your confidence. You’re concerned about your family’s financial future.

Partner can frequently switch jobs to support you because the role can change you throughout the world. It’s a significant commitment that is ignored by society.

Skinner managed Spurs without her partner between 2020 and 2023. By the time she was fired, she had “burned out.”

While Premier League managers frequently have more than one support staff member, a lucrative salary when they join, and longer, secure contracts with better pay-out clauses, this is rarely the case in the WSL.

Despite only being offered an 18-month contract, managers could be expected to relocate, work full-time, and temporarily break up with their partners.

Few senior staff members at women’s clubs have many responsibilities, which puts more pressure on them to hire players in the transfer window, for instance.

Although unnamed, their average salaries are thought to be around £70, 000, although a few unusually high wages at wealthy clubs defy that figure.

Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman is reportedly earning £400,000 annually, plus performance-related bonuses, while men’s manager Thomas Tuchel makes £5 million annually.

They cannot afford to be without work for a long period of time, which is reality.

Casey Stoney, an ex-Manchester United manager, was fired as San Diego Wave’s head coach after she had temporarily flown to England for a funeral. Due to the termination of their visas, she and her family were unable to return to their California homes.

“Every game is under pressure, and you get a lot of scrutiny for what you’re doing with little understanding of what’s happening behind the scenes, such as the staff size, the availability of players,” Skinner said.

Because of the lack of resources, many clubs don’t have strong senior staff, which necessitates more from the manager. What you receive is not in line with what you are expecting.

Because of my personal investment in Tottenham, it was difficult for me to leave. You ask yourself, “I’m not sure why I did that? ” when you look back.

According to Skinner, mental health support is frequently “reactionary.”

She thinks that there aren’t many people available for managers to contact. There is a fear that it will be seen as a “weakness” and used against them when they raise issues within clubs. Often, it is to a senior figure who determines their future in the job.

Being honest can take a risk. Whatever is happening in your life, you must show up and do it, according to Skinner.

“Performance is a component of mental well-being,” says the statement. Every week, coaches perform exceptionally well, just like players do. However, it is not a topic that is discussed.

It’s a significant issue, they say. Most managers will occasionally converse with other managers because it is extremely challenging to find support externally.

The LMA (League Managers’ Association) is the only place where there is one. The only independent organization that acknowledges the stresses managers are in is that.

The LMA receives a small membership fee from managers, but Skinner claims the organization requires more funding.

While Sporting Chance is a charity with a 24/7 helpline, the Football Association supports player care roles at clubs.

WSL Football hosts in-person coaching sessions with coaches, and they are represented by the Pro Coach Partnership (PCP), which reviews and discusses rules in both the men’s and women’s games.

However, the WSL’s emphasis on mental well-being is thought to be largely player-centered.

A government review in 2023, led by former England midfielder Karen Carney, identified several areas where performance improvement was needed, but it did not address coaches’ mental well-being.

“I simply don’t believe that it is embedded in the thinking processes of people.” Because it’s an afterthought, Skinner said, it seems like it’s being treated like lip service.

“The game has grown so quickly, but it hasn’t kept up in many ways.” People who aren’t in a great location already find it difficult to talk.

It becomes simpler “if you’re somewhere where it’s the norm and there’s consistency of support, and it’s discussed in the context of improving performance.”

Recent studies by Skinner and the LMA aim to shed light on some of the problems facing WSL managers and how they can assist them.

She frequently requests that an external mentor who works with a group of managers regularly instruct them on mental health support tools.

Instead of taking ad-hoc courses for education, “it would become a trained activity to support your mental health and performance,” Skinner said.

“Those courses are short-lived, but I appreciate them. That is the need for change. Only by investing money into it is the only way to accomplish it.

The FA, the league, and the clubs must all become involved, according to the FA. Everyone is concerned about the development of the game, a crucial component of which are managers.

“Every club needs managers with senior figures who can play senior roles, so that not one person is putting in too many jobs,” says the statement.

Skinner added that it was important to emphasize that mental health education and training could be used as a performance-enhancing tool rather than a taboo subject.