Coaches: How to make the most of a period of inactivity?

"At first, there was almost relief because the situation was difficult. Then you tell yourself it's unfair, you feel guilty, you replay the matches over and over again. It's hard to cut the cord." From Canada, Laurent Courtois still speaks passionately about his experience as an MLS coach with CF Montréal from January 2024 to March 2025. Without a club for several months, the 46-year-old Frenchman has just experienced the first setback in his career as a head coach. "We go from a 24/7, 11/12 month schedule with a group of 40 people to nothing, overnight. It's brutal," describes the experienced Philippe Montanier, 60, who, despite several offers, has not coached since winning the Coupe de France with Toulouse FC in 2023. Two years without coaching is also what Hylale Atigui, 47, coach of the U16s of Lannion FC, in the French Regional 2 division, experienced. "I've never been an employee and have been coaching voluntarily for thirty years. It's not always easy to find a club, especially in the amateur world." All three say it clearly: being away from the hustle and bustle of the locker room can be painful... but also beneficial, provided that this period is transformed into an active, structuring, and regenerating phase.

Digest, refocus, take stock

The first phase of this process is often mental. After the intensity of the field, you have to relearn how to live without football on a daily basis. "I was in denial for the first few weeks. I watched my old team's matches with a kind of jealousy and couldn't get over it," admits Laurent Courtois, Columbus' youth and reserve coach from 2019 to 2023. "I gained a little weight, I had to get back into sports. This return to my body helped me better absorb the shock." In twenty years of professional career, Philippe Montanier has experienced few setbacks: "Six months each time: between Stade Rennais and Nottingham Forest, between Nottingham Forest and the French Football Federation, and finally between Standard de Liège and Toulouse FC." Each time, the former Real Sociedad coach takes advantage of these periods to "reconnect with his personal life," often put on hold. "When you're in a position, you're uprooted. Now I was able to see my friends, my family. Get back to a normal life, do what you love but have little time to do, like exercising for yourself..."

Then came the time to take stock, a self-reflection that was at once technical, strategic, and personal: "I analysed my last two seasons at Toulouse FC, reread my notes, reviewed my tactical choices, my management, and took advantage of the time I had to update or tweak my game plan." Aware that "football evolves quickly. You have to get up to date, question yourself." A finding shared by his North American counterpart. "I had to revisit my entire career, my influences, my mistakes. It reconnected me with what made me a coach: the good... and the not-so-good."

Training, exchanging ideas, networking

This period of inactivity is also fertile ground for learning. Reading, observation, discussions, digital tools: everything is welcome. "I read a lot. I watch a lot of matches, but with a different perspective. It's almost therapeutic," confides the former LA Galaxy player. "I subscribe to several tactical platforms and I draw a lot of inspiration from American coaches." In the amateur world, Hylale Atigui is an example of discreet but constant proactivity. The former coach at FC Dammarie-les-Lys, based in Brittany, North-West France, for five years, continues to train: "Video analysis, languages, digital tools... with or without the bench, I participate in activities with the coaches' association or training courses to progress and strengthen my profile." On the other side of the training mirror, Philippe Montanier emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge: "I respond favourably to media interviews, participate in MasterClasses, and I gladly respond to requests from the Federation to share my experience in the various training programs offered by the National Technical Directorate. Working for others also means learning for yourself."

Staying connected to the field is fundamental. Everyone emphasizes the importance of observing other coaches and exchanging ideas to break out of isolation. "I meet with colleagues, I visit clubs, I meet with coaching staff. That's what helps me not to become withdrawn," says the Breton coach. Laurent Courtois agrees with this point of view: "American coaches have offered me the chance to come and see them. I'm going to immerse myself within amongst their staff, then come and visit Europe. It's by experiencing other methods that I'll be able to best prepare myself for what comes next."

Taking the time to bounce back

And a return to the bench, which he's patiently awaiting. But not at any cost. "I could have bounced back quickly, but I spoke with Rémi Garde, and he told me there was no right choice between leaving right away and taking a step back. Today, I think taking a break was the best thing to do," says the former Montrealer. A sentiment shared by Montanier, for whom experience has proven that "the project is as important as the position. With my background, I'm not looking for just anything. I want to be stimulated. I know exactly what I don't want anymore." So if he could give just one piece of advice to another coach to make the most of this break, what would it be? "The hardest thing is not to worry too much, to stay confident and to see this period as an opportunity to continue training and observing, because the coaching profession is constantly changing. During these periods of rest, we must not wait. We must move forward differently."