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Every day, Manchester United players navigate Birch Road, occasionally halting for horses and bicycles from the Carrington Equestrian Center before arriving at their training facility. After signing autographs for fans and passing through entry barriers, they turn past the illuminated ‘Manchester United’ sign to access the first-team parking area located behind the main building.
Players secure their high-end sports cars or luxury SUVs and enter the training complex carrying their travel bags.
Upon entering the “Athletes’ Corridor,” a glass-walled office appears to the left, featuring a large central desk with chairs flanking either side. A large flat-screen TV hangs on the back wall, accompanied by a phone and a laptop, and the door is perpetually open.
This office, however, isn’t for Coach Ruben Amorim, CEO Omar Berrada, or Director of Football Jason Wilcox. It’s specifically designated for the player care team—a department dedicated to ensuring each athlete has all they need outside of football to perform at their best.
Player care isn’t exclusive to Manchester United. Premier League teams are increasingly investing in these services, which play a significant role in the training environment.
The ultimate goal is to allow players to put aside personal issues, feel at ease, arrive at training with a clear mindset, and concentrate solely on their game.
What is Player Care?
While the manager oversees on-field activities, the player care department manages everything else. The topics addressed often extend beyond the realm of football.
“It’s tailored to the individual rather than the athlete,” explained player care specialist Hugo Scheckter to ESPN. “In broad terms, it involves everything that impacts a player outside of training and medical needs. Players typically spend only three to four hours on the training ground daily; most other matters fall under our responsibilities.”
Player care can cover a range of activities, including personal development, offering life skills, providing mental health support, and even practical issues like relocation or problem-solving. The aim is to alleviate stress in their lives, allowing them to focus exclusively on their sport.
Scheckter, who has experience with Premier League clubs like West Ham and Brentford, established a player care group in 2020. His background includes assisting players with housing, selecting schools for their kids, managing car taxes, and securing tickets for games.
Emergencies also arise, such as traffic incidents or home security issues, but sometimes the situations can be quite peculiar.
“There was a player who needed help with a bird that was frightening his girlfriend. His first thought was to eliminate the bird, but I explained that wasn’t appropriate in England,” Scheckter recounted. “We eventually used ultrasound to deter the bird instead, which effectively resolved the issue. Though it may seem trivial, if it’s causing anxiety, it can impact his performance.”
“Canaries in the Coal Mine”
To gain a competitive edge, clubs are increasingly prioritizing player care. The London-based architecture firm Foster & Partners, responsible for the £50 million renovation of Manchester United’s Carrington training ground, strategically placed the player care office by the players’ entrance.
This trend is mirrored across clubs worldwide.
“The player care team serves as the ‘canary in the coal mine’,” explained a high-ranking official from a Premier League club to ESPN. “They often detect early signs of trouble.”
While coaches and medical staff focus on player performance, player care teams are more attuned to off-field concerns. One influences the other, creating an interconnected dynamic.
Scheckter noted, “What used to be a reactive service—where players presented problems for us to solve—is now evolving, with many clubs seeking to tackle these issues proactively before they arise.”
Investment in player care varies among clubs. Some teams employ just a couple of staff, while others have entire teams and often distinct departments for men’s, women’s, and academy players.
The department’s effectiveness largely hinges on how seriously head coaches and their staff regard it. Different managerial attitudes lead to varying levels of engagement—some may ignore off-field matters completely, while others embrace a more comprehensive approach.
“The club culture plays a significant role in this,” Scheckter stated. “Some managers are indifferent, while others are highly involved. It’s an exciting time for player care.”
Including the player care team in performance discussions can yield clearer insights. When a player reportedly lost weight, Scheckter might investigate and find that it’s due to personal circumstances, enabling the team to coordinate appropriate support.
As global football intensifies, player care teams face the challenge of assisting newcomers in adjusting to a new country. It’s common for departments to collaborate with rival clubs to offer support, especially for players of similar backgrounds.
“Connecting with counterpart clubs, particularly when it comes to players from the same country, is beneficial,” said one Premier League official. “This collaboration helps ensure that the athletes’ families feel settled.”
The role of player care often extends beyond the individual athlete.
“At the Premier League level, partners of players often require direction and purpose as well,” Scheckter remarked. “If they’re unhappy, it can lead to the players feeling the same way, which can have dire consequences for the club.”
The player care team’s responsibilities range from wellness outreach to logistical support, with the aim of ensuring that athletes remain content without overly shielding them from real-life challenges.
“The aim is balanced,” a source informed ESPN. “We don’t want players disconnected from daily life, but we want to alleviate concerns like passport renewals or landlord disputes that can weigh heavily on their minds.”
As the importance of mental health continues to grow in sports, there’s a concerted effort to minimize daily stressors and allow athletes to concentrate on their training and performance.
“Let the Players Do Their Best”
Members of the player care team often operate behind the scenes but can also be thrust into the limelight.
After West Ham struggled with performance, new manager Nuno Espirito Santo disclosed that player care had arranged to showcase players’ family photos in the dressing room for a motivational boost ahead of a match against Newcastle. The result was a triumphant 3-1 victory for West Ham.
“It was unexpected,” Nuno said afterwards. “The player care team genuinely excels in providing for the players, and it wasn’t something they were aware of beforehand.”
Scheckter recollects his early experiences in player care with a player who seemed fine but ultimately left due to his partner’s inability to adjust.
Even minor achievements can have a profound impact.
“One player constantly arrived late to team meetings. The coach viewed it as unprofessionalism, but when I engaged with him, I discovered it stemmed from cultural differences regarding time,” Scheckter shared. “So we found ways to overcome this challenge together, ultimately helping him to arrive on time. The important part is being proactive and resolving issues so that players can excel.”
Whether it’s managing time, handling match pressure, or solving peculiar problems, the overarching aim remains consistent: to facilitate players reaching their highest potential.
Fan Take: The evolution of player care highlights a crucial understanding in football: a player’s off-field life significantly impacts their performance on the pitch. As clubs increasingly invest in this approach, it reflects a broader recognition of mental health and well-being, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of the sport for fans.
