The age old touchline debate, suit or tracksuit? Former Leeds and Reading manager Brian McDermott reveals how his matchday outfits shaped his mindset, projected authority, and even influenced his players’ performances.
Back in November 2012, Reading were 11 games into the Premier League season but still hadn’t won a game, so what needed to change, a new formation? A tactical switch? Maybe a change in personnel? But for Brian McDermott, the answer wasn’t found on the training ground or in the meeting rooms. Instead, he opted for a more unorthodox adjustment: his attire.
“I felt I needed to change it up and decided to put on a suit,” McDermot recalls.
“I knew that sometimes it’s not just about the tactics or the players, it’s also about the energy you bring as a manager.”
Reading went on to win that game 2-1 thanks to an Adam Le Fondre double, inflicting just the second defeat in 20 games on a strong Everton side.
“I carried on wearing a suit after that victory, but unfortunately, the suit didn’t bring the same kind of luck as a tactical change or a top-class striker,” McDermott jokes. “Still, for that one game, it felt like a magic touch.”
McDermott enjoyed a successful managerial career in England’s top leagues, leading teams like Reading and Leeds United where he became known for his pragmatic managerial approach and his ability to foster strong team unity.
For him, even his choice of clothing reflected his coaching style.
“In my early days of management, I always wore tracksuits. I was a very hands-on coach, always getting involved in drills and working closely with players so it just felt more appropriate than a suit.
“I didn’t want to lose that kind of connection on matchdays, I wanted to still feel part of the team and ready to step in.
However, McDermott wasn’t opposed to wearing a suit when he felt it was the right moment.
“I think the first time I wore a suit was for the Championship Play-off final in 2011 against Swansea with Reading.
“It was a massive game, at Wembley, the biggest game of my managerial career at that point. The magnitude of the game is obvious. I didn’t want to hide away from that.
“It wasn’t just me wearing a suit, I saw it as a representation for the whole team.”
The game didn’t go to plan for McDermott however as Swansea ran out 4-2 winners thanks to a Scott Sinclair hat-trick.
However, Reading bounced back the next season, winning the Championship and securing promotion to the Premier League.
“When the final whistle went, we all felt massive disappointment but I knew to use that feeling as fuel for the next season and it stood us in even better stead going forward.
“That suit was part of the mindset shift, the confidence it showed was a reminder that the way we carry ourselves, both on and off the pitch, can have a significant impact on our performance.”
Pep’s Stone Island jumper, Simeone’s all black mafia looking suit, Mihajlovic’s Off-White trainers, the clothing of managers has certainly evolved in recent years, incorporating more streetwear and designer brands into their touchline fits while still maintaining an air of authority and professionalism.
“It’s changed a lot but I like the casualness of it,” McDermott asserts.
“Managers seem a lot more confident to express themselves through their clothing these days.
“I’m not sure I’d be able to keep up with the latest trends like the current managers do and I don’t think I could pull off some of their outfits but I’d give it a go!”