The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched an ‘Emotions in Football Project’, a new initiative that focuses on managing the emotions of coaches and footballers with the aim of improving performances on the pitch and to safeguard their personal well-being.

The new project will focus on two aspects – Grassroots and Elite Football – and the concept was presented to the AFC Member Associations (MAs) in a special online session that was attended by 98 participants.

The AFC Emotions in Football Working Group, of which former Liverpool, Lyon and France coach Gérard Houllier was an original member before his passing last year, will contribute to the implementation of the AFC project with the help of MA Technical Directors and Coach Educators.

AFC General Secretary, Dato’ Windsor John, said: “Technical knowledge is important but in this modern era, coaches and footballers need to better understand their emotions and explore constructive ways to establish a more conducive and holistic environment as part of efforts to strengthen the larger football development structure.

“As outlined in our Vision to ensure our teams succeed at the highest level, the AFC’s Emotions in Football Project is our latest technical initiative that addresses the various aspects of emotional intelligence and offers practical advice for coaches and players from the grassroots level to elite football.”

To further enhance the knowledge of coaches, a programme about players emotions will also be added in MA Coach Education Courses to give coaches a better understanding of how to manage the emotional health of players.

The Japan Football Association (JFA) and the Qatar Football Association (QFA) are the first pilot MAs to implement the project that will include comprehensive activities focused on handling and understanding the emotions of coaches and players.

AFC