How Professional Coaches Plan Their Substitutions

Hello and Happy New Year!
We hope you’ve had a great start to the year and are excited to welcome you to the latest edition of our newsletter. This issue will focus on the following topics:

1. ⚽ How professional coaches plan their substitutions

2. 👉 8 new drills added!

   • Update to our exercise library pricing – More value for less!

⚽How Professional Coaches Plan Their Substitutions

In the Premier League, arguably the toughest football league in the world, Thomas Frank, the head coach of Brentford FC, stands out as one of the most impressive strategists. Despite working with a limited budget, he has managed not only to keep his team competitive but also to challenge some of the league’s biggest clubs. Brentford currently sits ahead of giants like Tottenham and Manchester United in the table – an extraordinary achievement.

Brentford is particularly dominant at their home stadium. With an outstanding record, they rank among the strongest home teams in the league, with only Liverpool collecting slightly more points so far. These successes are no coincidence: the team appears perfectly synchronized and is a tough opponent for any club – a testament to the meticulous planning of their coach.

An intriguing aspect of this planning is how Thomas Frank meticulously pre-plans his substitutions. In a recently published interview, he offered fascinating insights into his approach – a strategy that highlights the multifaceted nature of a coach’s work.

Thomas Frank’s Three Substitution Plans

Plan A: Staying on Track

When the game is going as planned and Brentford is leading – for instance, with a 1-0 scoreline – Thomas Frank focuses on maintaining intensity. Even before kickoff, he outlines potential substitutions to replace tiring players and sustain the tempo. Importantly, he avoids making major tactical adjustments.

Key point: While he considers all five substitution opportunities, this doesn’t mean he always uses them. If the players are performing well, he remains flexible and might only bring on two or three fresh legs. The core idea of Plan A: ensure stability and energy without disrupting the flow of the game.

Plan AB: Forcing the Decision

When the game is tied – for example, 0-0 – and a win is the goal, the approach becomes more tactical. Frank relies on position-specific substitutions. For instance, he might replace a central midfielder with a more attack-minded number eight to increase pressure going forward.

The key here: bringing on players who can make an offensive impact, even if it sacrifices some defensive stability. It’s a balancing act between risk and reward, requiring precise planning and timing.

Plan B: Catching Up

When Brentford is trailing, Thomas Frank shows his tactical flexibility. He often alters the formation – for example, switching from a four-man defense to a three-man defense – and brings on additional attacking players. A defensive midfielder might make way for a creative number eight to speed up the build-up play and create more danger in front of the opponent’s goal.

This plan reflects the philosophy of risking everything to turn the game around, without losing the overall structure completely.

Why Preparation and Flexibility are Crucial

Thomas Frank’s approach highlights the importance of not only reacting to the game as a coach but actively shaping it. Thorough preparation allows a coach to be ready for various scenarios and respond quickly when needed.

However, football remains unpredictable. A bad day for the team, a controversial referee decision, or external factors such as weather and fans can throw the game off course. That’s why preparation alone isn’t enough – the ability to remain flexible and adapt during the game is just as vital.

A great coach excels at balancing these elements. Ultimately, the game often lies in the players' hands. The few moments a coach can intervene must be used wisely – ideally, in a way that benefits the team.

What’s Your Strategy?

Do you already have a set substitution strategy that you apply to your team? Or could you see yourself adopting Thomas Frank’s approach? Share your thoughts in the comments or discuss with other coaches in our community group!

👉8 new drills added!

Price Adjustment to Our Exercise Library – More Value for Less!

We’ve lowered the prices for our monthly and yearly subscriptions:

• Monthly Subscription: from 5 CHF to 4 CHF

• Yearly Subscription: from 48 CHF to 40 CHF

For Existing Subscribers:

• Monthly subscribers can easily cancel their current plan and switch to the new price.

Additionally, we want to surprise both monthly and yearly subscribers with ready-made training plans in the coming weeks – as a token of our appreciation.

Thank you for your loyalty, and enjoy your training! 💪⚽

8 New Drills Are Out Now! Get unlimited access to all existing and upcoming videos with our monthly or yearly subscription.

Drills:

Check out our Homepage for exclusive training videos and products.

Was this post forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

Have an idea or feedback to share? [email protected]