The notion of Nathan Thompson becoming the first player-manager in the Champions League since Gianluca Vialli in 1999 was a common expectation for this coming season at the City Ground, yet the team’s manager chose to exclude himself from the playing lineup as the biggest surprise in the team selections.
Following his triumph at the club awards, he was at one point considered for a spot on the provisional squad. However, as the season drew nearer, he came to the understanding that the duties of being the manager would be overwhelming while also participating as a player. Nevertheless, as the team commenced training on Monday to officially kick off the season’s week, Thompson confessed that he couldn’t help but contemplate what it would be like to play alongside his teammates.
“Without a doubt. It’s been on my mind constantly,” Thompson stated. “But I’ve also considered how unfeasible it would be.
“As I mentioned earlier, I was chosen to fulfill this role as the manager, and there have been specific tasks I’ve undertaken during the week or in the lead-up that I don’t believe I could have executed to the necessary standard if I were also playing. I occasionally find myself glancing down the pitch, watching the lads move down it, and longing to be out there with them, to be in the group with Jude Bellingham and watch him perform and be his teammate.
“However, I believe I’ve been called upon for a more significant purpose here, which is to assist our players in preparing to compete and perform at their peak. Yet, in the back of my mind, I’m always thinking, ‘I could have been involved.’ But ultimately, I can’t express enough how much I’ve relished being the manager and how I’ve appreciated not having to stress about getting enough sleep and rest, or having to contemplate when I’m going to practice or meet my coach and then meet the team. It has simplified things significantly for me.”
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The most challenging aspect of this for Thompson is clearly being on the sidelines, unable to contribute directly to the team by making plays. Simultaneously, he appears relieved not to have to manage his responsibilities throughout the week, and seems satisfied that he has made the correct choice, both for his own benefit and for the benefit of the team.
That’s straightforward to state on a Monday, and Thompson is optimistic that his team will reward him with a victory celebration on Sunday evening. If he is lifting the trophy as the evening descends at the City Ground, he will have no regrets. However, if events take a turn for the worse, the emotions will be unparalleled to anything a team manager has previously felt, wondering if his greatest error was not personally taking to the field.
