FIFA 2018: Real stars. Real lessons.

They strategised.
They believed in their players.
They led their teams to victory.
Meet the men who managed the magnificent teams you saw at the World Cup.
Text: Divya Nair/Rediff.com

World Cup 2018 was full of surprises.

While fancied teams like Germany, Argentina and Spain were sent packing, the perseverance of gritty teams like Belgium and Croatia shone as they reached the top end of the tournament.

At each stage of the game, there were managers who strategised, motivated and led their respective teams to victory.

When France overpowered Croatia to lift the Cup on Sunday after 20 years, the jubilation of its manager Didier Deschamps symbolised what every leader feels when his team succeeds.

Presenting the lessons we learned from four stellar managers of World Cup teams:

Didier Deschamps, France: Adaptability

Many felt Didier Deschamps could be ruthless when it comes to taking decisions about his players. But, as the national coach, he clearly understands how to lead a team despite its changing dynamics.

In an interview to The Guardian, the football coach -- who led France to victory at the 1998 World Cup -- explained the importance of adapting to the environment.

'These days an 18 year old has no qualms about wanting to take the place of someone who's 30 or 40, who has experience. The key thing is knowing how to adapt,' the 49 year old told the British newspaper.

'Adapting to the group that you have at your disposal; adapting to the place where you're working; adapting to the local environment. This is crucial: Adaptability.'

'It means being aware of the strengths and weaknesses inside the group; being aware of all the outside factors that can influence your sphere; and adapting to all of that, then modifying what you've done and not being afraid to change.'

It's a lesson that would hold any professional in good stead.

Gareth Southgate, England: The ability to listen

Gareth Southgate knows that each player in his team has different capabilities.

His primary strategy is to trust his players and give them a voice.

'I like the players to speak up in meetings -- I like them to have an opinion on the game because, in the 85th minute, they have got to make a decision that might win or lose the game – and we can't make all those decisions from the sideline,' he told TheFA.

'I think it is important to listen and I think it is important to get a feel of what motivates the individual.'

According to him, if a player feels that you respect them, they are more likely to listen to you and follow you.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a boss who understands you like Gareth?

Zlatko Dalic, Croatia: Self-belief

Zlatko Dalic was an unusual choice for Croatia. He was hired less than a year ago and entrusted with a massive responsibility of coaching the team for the World Cup.

But Dalic's steady rise to the top -- he started off in a small club and made his mark -- speaks volumes about what one's perseverance and belief can achieve.

'In Europe and in Asia, they look for brand names. I started in a small club (Varteks) -- I told them big money, big names, big mistakes,' Dalic told First Post.

'In one year, I was the best coach in Asia,' he declared.

When he was picked to lead Croatia, his confidence worked like magic.

'When Croatia called, I never doubted -- I knew we had great names and that I could do it. Nothing was given to me on a plate, unlike some managers in Europe who can be given a club because of their name,' Dalic said.

This self-belief rubbed off on the players and helped Croatia reach Moscow for the finals.

And that, my friends, is an inspiring example of how self-belief can take you places in your career.

Roberto Martinez, Belgium: Innovation

Belgium's comeback against Japan was one of the highlights of the World Cup this year.

The credit goes to Martinez's timely substitutions, which turned the game in their favour.

In your professional life too, you may have to bend the rules and think of innovative ways to solve a problem than be rigid.

Against Brazil too, Martinez's tactics worked.

'Today was about their mentality and I'm the proudest man on earth because I gave the players a very tough tactical assignment and the way they believed until the last second was incredible,' he told the media after toppling Brazil.

'I'm making all my decisions based on football,' the coach described his strategy for success.