Veteran coach Stuart Baxter discussed the importance of shielding his players from external pressures, particularly from critics on social media.
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The story
Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana head coach, Stuart Baxter, has regained the attention of South African football fans, following recent praise from his former players, including Teboho Mokoena and Thabo Mnyamane.
The seasoned PSL veteran, who having coached both Chiefs in two separate stints and SuperSport United, emphasised the importance of keeping players in a bubble, away from external critiques.
The 70-year-old has eight South African domestic trophies to his name, including two league titles during his first stint at the Glamour Boys, making him the last coach to bring silveware to Naturena.
In a conversation with his former player at SuperSport, Michael Morton, Baxter was asked about sheltering players from outside influences.
"I just think it's the coaches job to screen that off, put the players in a bubble. Mistakes that clubs make globally, is they don't understand how it functions. The players are getting more and more affected by social media. Players don't need, a sort-of in house social media.
"Some players are worried, even before they go back into the dressing room, because they know their phones are going to be crazy with people going them a 'fool'. So, we don't need more of that in house," noted Barker in his chat with Morton.
How do you protect footballers from outside influences? pic.twitter.com/bkG3Ov2yoB
— Michael Morton (@MMORTON6) November 19, 2024
Watch from minute 20 onwards to listen to Barker speaking about the aforementioned topic on Morton's podcast:
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