Experts believe England’s chances of winning the World Cup would be “enormous” if their new manager was a robot.
They claim that manager Gareth Southgate could be replaced by artificial intelligence – a bot manager that would remove emotion and player loyalty from the decision-making process.
Selecting teams and making tactical decisions purely based on player performance data, the AI Manager is able to churn through massive algorithms and make instant adjustments during a match.
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It will also be possible to analyze players’ fatigue and stress levels to predict potential injuries in advance and substitute players before they become injured.
Experts acknowledge that bots lack the “human touch” to motivate players and that fans may want a real person to yell at when something goes wrong.
But by the time the World Cup arrives in the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026, AI coaches may finally end 60 years of suffering.
Following Southgate’s resignation as England manager after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, “tech-savvy” experts are considering whether the time has come for the managerial role to go virtual.
Adam Collins, a technology entrepreneur and CEO of London-based internet marketing service Ignite SEO, said the move “has the potential to revolutionise football management”.
“Advances in artificial intelligence may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but it’s a topic worth exploring,” he said.
“Artificial intelligence has been making its way into the sports world for several years now. From data analysis to performance tracking, AI is helping teams optimize training, improve player fitness, and develop game strategies.”
“Companies like IBM and SAS are already using AI to provide predictive analysis and real-time insights during matches. The technology can help coaches make informed decisions based on vast amounts of data that humans cannot process in real time.”
“The idea of an AI as the next England manager is intriguing. Although there are significant hurdles to overcome, the potential benefits of incorporating AI into football management are enormous.”
Adam said the AI England manager would make tactical decisions by analysing “a myriad of variables, including the fitness of the players, the opposition’s tactics and previous performances”.
“One of the long-standing criticisms of football management is bias in player selection,” he said.
“AI can eliminate this issue by evaluating players purely based on performance metrics, ensuring that the best players are selected for teams, regardless of popularity or past reputation.”
During the match, the AI manager will be able to process real-time data from the match and “rapidly adapt” by analysing it instantly and suggesting tactical changes, which could be a “game changer”.
“By analyzing players’ fatigue and stress levels, it will be possible to predict the likelihood of injury and make substitutions at the right time.”
Adam acknowledged that a bot boss probably wouldn’t understand motivation, leadership and player psychology as well as a human manager.
“A manager’s ability to inspire players and build a cohesive team spirit may be difficult for AI to replicate,” he said.
“Football fans are passionate and traditionalists. The idea of an AI manager may meet with resistance from fans who believe in the importance of human intuition and experience in football management.”
“There are also ethical questions about relying on AI to take on decision-making roles traditionally held by humans,” he said.
But he added: “While the concept of an AI managing a national team like England may seem unrealistic today, the introduction of AI into football is inevitable and is here to stay.”
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