Is Midseason Coaching Change Effective on Professional Footballers in Turkey? A Qualitative Research

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to research the effects of midseason coaching changes on professional footballers’ psychology and performance. For this purpose case study method, which is one of the qualitative research techniques, was used to acquire data. And in sampling easily accessible case sampling method of purposive sample management was preferred. Study samples are constituted of 58 professional footballers of the ages between 17 and 34 years, having played at least one season in professional sports clubs operating in Izmir of Turkey in the season of 2013-2014 and accepted to participate voluntarily in the study. As a result of the study, the opinions expressed by the professional footballers concerning midseason coaching changes have been observed positive at a rate of 65%, neutral at 36% and negative at 9%. Consequently, midseason coaching changes carried out in cases of poor conduct of teams and their performance decrement have positive effects on footballers.