Managers often make statements in their actions. Words can obviously impact their players, but, sometimes, a more challenging, unavoidable approach is required to hammer home a particular point.
Arsenal’s Unai Emery spoke this week about wanting to create ‘friction’ between him and his players to see what their response would be. Similarly, many of the world’s greatest managers have displayed their desires for the team through the management of other players.
Jose Mourinho would happily drop stars if they were underperforming or not executing as he wanted them to. Pep Guardiola has shipped out many a club legend because they do not fit the style of play that he wants to implement.