Torquay United manager Paul Wotton has said he faces the same challenges with players in the National League South as Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti does at the Champions League holders.
In his second managerial role after taking Truro City to the same sixth tier, Wotton has become known for his passion on the sidelines while guiding Torquay to second place in the table with five wins and a draw from their opening seven league games.
“Football’s football, for me, whether you’re managing Real Madrid or the Crown and Anchor on a Sunday,” Wotton said when he was asked about man-management.
“I don’t think there are any differences. You have to find a way to get the best out of every individual player you’ve got.
“I’m not a psychologist but I’ve been around football a long, long time. Some players I’ll scream and shout at and I’ll make no apologies about that. Some players will get away with a little bit more and have a little cuddle.
“I love my boys so if I can’t shout at them, no-one can. No matter how they’ve played, they’re working really, really hard for the football club and me.”
Wotton called football an “emotional game” and apologised after being booked during his side’s 2-1 win at Bath City last month.
The 47-year-old says the Bryn Consortium, who completed their purchase of the financially-stricken club in May, have been “very supportive” in allowing the squad to travel a day earlier to Saturday’s league fixture at 18th-placed Welling United.
“You have some great times on the bus when you’re all getting on,” he said.
“Some lads have a game of cards, get a coffee in and have a yap. Some of them watch Netflix all the time, the anti-social ones.
“The more time you spend together, it can only be a positive.”
Wotton will be without Jordan Dyer for “at least five or six weeks” with a hamstring tear, while two of the centre-back’s fellow defenders, Jay Foulston and Finley Craske, could be back in contention following issues.
“We’ve got a good squad and good players to come in,” said Wotton. “There’s good competition so I don’t see the point in risking players like that in the first weekend of September.”