In Depth:  Graham Daniels

Graham Daniels

In the high-stakes world of elite sport, winning is often seen as the Holy Grail. Yet, as tennis legend Andre Agassi noted in his autobiography, Open, success can be surprisingly hollow.

Agassi writes, 'Winning changes nothing. A win doesn't feel as good as a loss feels bad'^[1] - an insight that resonates powerfully in professional sport.

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Graham Daniels

Last weekend marked the FA Cup First Round Proper - a significant event as professional teams from Leagues One and Two enter the fray, often facing non-league and semi-professional squads that have battled through the qualifying rounds. For football fans, it can be both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

I was delighted when my team, Cambridge United, secured a close 1-0 victory against Woking. Sunday evening found me in my favourite armchair with a comforting cup of tea, eagerly tuned in to the BBC highlights programme. I looked forward to that forty-five-second recap of my club's hard-fought win. However, as the highlights dragged on - 90 minutes covering 40 matches - boredom overtook me. I fell asleep, blissfully unaware that my team had been drawn against Wigan at home in the second round.

Graham Daniels

When Erik ten Hag became the manager of Manchester United in April 2022, it must have felt like the high point in an already impressive playing and managing career. How differently must he feel today?

It must be tough enough looking into the stands and seeing the three 'Sirs' - Alex Ferguson, Jim Radcliffe, and David Brailsford - keeping a watchful eye on his match-day performances. Then there are the TV pundits, the mainstream media and millions on social media who assess his results daily. Who can imagine receiving the criticism he has to endure?

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Graham Daniels

'We don't do God,' Alastair Campbell famously interjected when Tony Blair, as prime minister, was once asked about his faith. British sport has never really done God, either.

Historically, many British players and coaches have lacked the confidence of, say, their Brazilian peers to openly wear their faith on their T-shirts or even talk about Jesus Christ.

Graham Daniels

Last month, one of my grandchildren participated in an end-of-term preschool egg and spoon race. I observed three types of competitors among the four-year-olds:

1. The child who ran as fast as possible, not caring about keeping the egg on the spoon and dropping the egg multiple times.
2. The diligent, rule-abiding child who walked quickly while ensuring the egg stayed on the spoon.
3. The risk-taker who sprinted while quietly holding the spoon in a way that allowed them to rest a thumb on the egg.

If you're wondering, 'thumb girl' won the race. There was no VAR.

Graham Daniels

So, England are in the final of the Euros and Gareth Southgate is being praised by the nation's football pundits and fans. Popular opinion shifts quickly. Last week's pauper has become this week's prince.

England's Euro 2024 campaign has been a remarkable journey, a testament to the team's resilience. They stealthily advanced into the final, overcoming their underperformance in the earlier matches. Their journey, filled with moments of brilliance, is a source of inspiration and pride for the nation. The secret to their success? Southgate's approach of treating his squad as men, not machines.