Peter Nowak and John Hackworth have a unique relationship with the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer, but is not an uncommon setting in other parts of the world.
Michael Lewis writes of the roles and responsibilities of Nowak and Hackworth.
Slowly but surely, Major League Soccer is acting more and more like leagues all over the World. More teams than not can call their own stadiums home. Game atmosphere has become more European or South American. And now teams are adopting the European manager-coaching style and philosophy. The expansion Philadelphia Union is one of them.
Former Polish international, Chicago Fire standout and D.C. United coach Peter Nowak calls most of the shots as technical director, manager, and general manager. Former US Under-17 coach and National Team assistant coach John Hackworth works the bench and makes some decisions as the coach.
It's too early in the season, to see if Philadelphia's version of the manager/coach division of labor is working, but so far the people involved seem to understand their roles. Hackworth has a say in substitutions and strategy, but he doesn't have the final word. The ultimate decision is made by Nowak, who spent the first game on the sidelines, but has since moved to skybox level.
"We think it makes a lot of sense to have an eye in the sky to be able to read a different point from a better tactical vantage point," Hackworth said. "When you sit a little further up, you can see things that you can't see at field level…."
"Peter is definitely the boss. He and I have a very good working relationship. I wouldn't characterize with us always agreeing with each other. But when we do have differences, we have enough respect for each other that we listen. Ultimately, he keeps it as his decision. So far it has been everything he and I have envisioned it would be. We trust each other immensely. The respect for each other…. We understand each other's strengths and weaknesses."
Hackworth wears a head piece and talks into a microphone. He and Nowak are in constant communication.
"It's not non-stop chatter," Hackworth said. "It's more varied, specific and directed tactically, personnel, or instructional. There is a bit of freedom in there…. He has given me a lot of latitude to make some very important decisions. He has put a lot of faithful in me. That has been extremely helpful. The players know that. They understand this."
This isn't a new concept for either of the coaches. When they were assistants to Bob Bradley with the United States National Team, Nowak would regularly be in a skybox rather than on the sideline. It's one of the things he took with him from a lifetime of lessons from soccer.
"We're trying to build very much a club based upon the European model that Peter grew up in and was a major part of his development from as a young player to the reserves to the first team," Hackworth said. "Everything he saw - Peter's unbelievable experience as a player, as a coach and he has played for.
"Peter made that difficult choice (leaving the National Team). He made it on that based on the fact that he had this opportunity to build something long term…. He thought (this) was the correct way a professional soccer club should be built."
Michael Lewis writes of the roles and responsibilities of Nowak and Hackworth.
Slowly but surely, Major League Soccer is acting more and more like leagues all over the World. More teams than not can call their own stadiums home. Game atmosphere has become more European or South American. And now teams are adopting the European manager-coaching style and philosophy. The expansion Philadelphia Union is one of them.
Former Polish international, Chicago Fire standout and D.C. United coach Peter Nowak calls most of the shots as technical director, manager, and general manager. Former US Under-17 coach and National Team assistant coach John Hackworth works the bench and makes some decisions as the coach.
It's too early in the season, to see if Philadelphia's version of the manager/coach division of labor is working, but so far the people involved seem to understand their roles. Hackworth has a say in substitutions and strategy, but he doesn't have the final word. The ultimate decision is made by Nowak, who spent the first game on the sidelines, but has since moved to skybox level.
"We think it makes a lot of sense to have an eye in the sky to be able to read a different point from a better tactical vantage point," Hackworth said. "When you sit a little further up, you can see things that you can't see at field level…."
"Peter is definitely the boss. He and I have a very good working relationship. I wouldn't characterize with us always agreeing with each other. But when we do have differences, we have enough respect for each other that we listen. Ultimately, he keeps it as his decision. So far it has been everything he and I have envisioned it would be. We trust each other immensely. The respect for each other…. We understand each other's strengths and weaknesses."
Hackworth wears a head piece and talks into a microphone. He and Nowak are in constant communication.
"It's not non-stop chatter," Hackworth said. "It's more varied, specific and directed tactically, personnel, or instructional. There is a bit of freedom in there…. He has given me a lot of latitude to make some very important decisions. He has put a lot of faithful in me. That has been extremely helpful. The players know that. They understand this."
This isn't a new concept for either of the coaches. When they were assistants to Bob Bradley with the United States National Team, Nowak would regularly be in a skybox rather than on the sideline. It's one of the things he took with him from a lifetime of lessons from soccer.
"We're trying to build very much a club based upon the European model that Peter grew up in and was a major part of his development from as a young player to the reserves to the first team," Hackworth said. "Everything he saw - Peter's unbelievable experience as a player, as a coach and he has played for.
"Peter made that difficult choice (leaving the National Team). He made it on that based on the fact that he had this opportunity to build something long term…. He thought (this) was the correct way a professional soccer club should be built."
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