Fulham's Historic Season: Lessons for Elite Teams

At the start of the season Fulham winning the Europa League final was nothing but a distant dream. However, the unthinkable was almost achieved, only for heartbreak in the 117th minute of game 63 when Athletico Madrid scored their winner. Travelling back from Hamburg after the game provided an opportunity to reflect on how a club with limited financial resources was able to compete and beat Europe’s elite. This year I have been able to experience how teams can achieve success beyond their limits. Here are my Top 5 factors behind the success:

1) Great leadership – the club has been built on solid foundations and great leadership. The club is based on strong values and a clear philosophy.

2) Clever recruitment – the club has less financial resources than so called ‘bigger clubs’ therefore they have tried to be precise in how they spend money on players. Their success shows getting the right people in through a structured recruitment process is vital to achieving team goals

3) Effective talent management – the team played 63 games with a small squad which is testament to the support staff who work with the players to keep them physically and mentally ready each week. Managing talent effectively is essential in any business and maximising your assets can be a huge competitive advantage for teams.

4) Strong team work – the teams’ successes this year have been based on great team work and togetherness. Often the strength of a cohesive team outweighs a group of individuals with greater ability.

5) Innovation – the club has tried to think differently in many areas and is constantly looking for the next new idea to provide a competitive advantage against its rivals.

Dr. Clive Reeves