Simon McMenemy: How to manage 'the biggest football country in the world'

Simon McMenemy: How to manage 'the biggest football country in the world'

Rich Clarke
podcast
Mcmenemy.png

Simon McMenemy has managed two national football teams and won a league title but you have probably never heard of him. When he moved from his role as assistant manager at Worthing FC to take over in the Philippines (no you did not read that incorrectly) he was the youngest national head coach in the world.

Then when Simon was handed the reigns at the Indonesian side, he had the second most important job in a country of 270m people. Only the president has a higher status in the most populous nation where football in the No1 sport.

The game in SE Asia is a different beast to that of Europe. There is huge passion and devotion, but sometimes it comes with disorganisation, violence and corruption. 

Working in Indonesian football is one of the highlights of my career. I would love to see the national team live up to its immense potential.

Simon has seen the good and bad. He has strong views and tells incredible tales of his experiences in the biggest ‘football country in the world.

Presenting Partner: PTI are an integrated digital and technology agency, helping over 75 global sports clubs and entertainment venues activate digital engagement through consultancy, deployment and commercialisation offerings. Find out more at www.ptidigitalgroup.com

TOPICS

How he went from being assistant manager of Worthing to head coach of the Philippines

Having Ronaldinho on his CV

The decisions you have to make if you want to be a coach but have not had a high-profile playing career

How Simon has educated himself after taking a fast-track into the practical side of coaching

Coaching a team when you do not speak their language

The difference between coaching in SE Asia and Europe

The smaller size of footballers in SE Asia and the effect on coaching and playing style

How he won the Indonesian League with Bhayangkara

Putting the league title victory with a small club into context

The infrastructure behind Indonesian teams - how teams are funded and supported

How Simon was approached to be the national team manager for Indonesia

The crazy adulation that surrounds the Indonesian national team and its manager

Why Simon knew the World Cup draw would he cost him his job

The problem of short-termism and fan pressure

Specific communications issues in the Philippines and Indonesia

The crowd trouble that flared up late in the crucial game against Malaysia

The insecurity of football in Indonesia and its effect on family life

Is success in SE Asia transferable? Will it help get jobs in other countries.

Why is Indonesia not able to transfer its talent to Europe - early football education, passports etc

The Beckham of Indonesia who is currently playing in the reserves at Lech Posnan in Poland

Two longer-term improvements the Indonesian FA could implement now

The battle between a strong league and strong national team

The strong teams in SE Asia right now

What would a World Cup in SE Asia do for the sport in that area - “It would be sold-out the minute it was announced”

The corruption in Indonesian football

Stories about the passion of Indonesian fans

LINKS

Simon McMenemy Twitter | LinkedIN

Featured
David Tossell: How one-day cricket changed the game
David Tossell: How one-day cricket changed the game

In 2023, one-day cricket enjoyed its 60th birthday.

David Tossell has written a book on the evolution of the format. He describes those early days as “nicely naïve”. But, at the same time, they were the foundation for every major innovation in cricket ever since.

These days, the 50-over game is under an existential threat due to the rise of T20. Can it survive, is it worth saving and what would be its legacy?

Ricardo Fort: Sports Sponsorship 101
Ricardo Fort: Sports Sponsorship 101

Ricardo Fort has led the sponsorship strategy for brands at World Cup and Olympics.

After a long, successful career with the likes of Coca-cola and Visa, he has set up his own consulting firm. In this podcast, Ricardo gives straight answers to key questions in sports sponsorship and outlines how content fits in. This is a sophisticated 101 for anyone interested in working in the commercial department at a major sports organisation.

Alex Phillips - The most influential football administrator you' ve never heard of
Alex Phillips - The most influential football administrator you' ve never heard of

Alex Phillips does not look or sound like a revolutionary but his ideas could shake up football.

He spent 15 years at Uefa, including a couple as Head of Compliance and Governance. He was seconded to the Asian Football Confederation for three years and now leads the World Football Remission Fund, a FIFA body administrating how money "stolen from the game" should be returned for its overall benefit.

In this podcast, we discuss good governance, the ramifications of the failed Super League project, educating owners and fans, setting examples and, of course, content.

Claire Nelson: Scottish netball and creating the ultimate female spectator sport
Claire Nelson: Scottish netball and creating the ultimate female spectator sport

The challenges facing netball are different to other sports. While we have seen growth in women's football, tennis and boxing in recent years, it has always occurred through the lens (or maybe in the shadow) of established male forebears. Netball does not have this baggage. Its product and message can be tailored specifically toward women and girls. Claire Nelson, CEO of Netball Scotland explains

Tom Dunmore: Launching Major League Cricket
Tom Dunmore: Launching Major League Cricket

In the next 10 years, cricket will try to cross its biggest and most important new frontier - the USA. They have been awarded co-hosting rights for the 2024 T20 World Cup and a buzz is building around the chances of inclusion in the Olympics in Los Angeles four years later.

Minor League Cricket started last season and its Major League big brother begins this year. Tom Dunmore is VP of Marketing for both tournaments. In this podcast, we discuss the story so far, the challenges they face and the vision for success.

Brian Jacks: Olympian, Superstar and maybe... UFC coach
Brian Jacks: Olympian, Superstar and maybe... UFC coach

Brian Jacks was a household in the UK in the 1980s. The pinnacle of the judo player’s sporting success came when he won a bronze medal at the Munich Olympics in 1972. But a few years later he would become much more famous as the UK and European champion in Superstars, a popular television programme that saw the best athletes of the day compete in events outside their niche. The show grew throughout the world to become perhaps the first modern example of how sporting heroes could cross into mainstream media, with all its financial benefits, through light entertainment television.

Now living in Thailand, Jacks talks about his motivations, how he leveraged his Superstars fame, his rivalry with Daley Thompson and why he’d love to be a grappling coach in UFC.

Podcast partner: Sports Tech Match - Simplifying Sports Tech Procurement

Grant Russell: Find a unique story, stick to the story, live the story
Grant Russell: Find a unique story, stick to the story, live the story

Motherwell FC have lifted only one trophy in the past 30 years. However, off the pitch, they beat off competition from Manchester United, Everton and Leicester to win the Best Digital/Social Media category at the Football Business Awards this year.

Grant Russell is the club’s Head of Brand, Digital and Communications. In this episode, he talks about the thinking, discipline and creativity that have gone into building a stand-out story for an otherwise overlooked Scottish team.

This is a deep dive into content strategy and, like me, Russell believes in cutting through clutter with a strict, realistic yet progressive vision for storytelling.

Ed Warner: How to run a modern sport
Ed Warner: How to run a modern sport

After a decade as chair of UK Athletics (including the 2017 World Championships in London) and a few years in his current role with GB Wheelchair rugby, Ed Warner is well-placed to comment on the stresses and strains of running a modern sport.

In this podcast, we discuss many of the key issues required to steer a sporting ship towards success: leadership styles, funding models, changing content strategies, marketing, elite sport v participation, bringing in private equity funding and his open application for the role of ECB chair.

George Crabb: How to create the perfect sports app
George Crabb: How to create the perfect sports app

Given its increasingly strategic importance within sports business, it is surprising how many rights-holders produce sub-standard apps.

To try and solve this issue, I spoke to George Crabb, Managing Director at The Other Media. This well-established digital agency have a rich history in working with rights-holders to create mobile applications of the highest quality.

Vijhay Vick: Content strategy for teams who win the league every year
Vijhay Vick: Content strategy for teams who win the league every year

How do you create a story about a team that has won the league seven seasons in a row (and an eighth is expected to follow soon)? Johor Darul Ta'zim (or JDT) were re-formed in 2013 under the guidance of the Crown Prince of Johor. They won their first title a year later and the AFC Cup 12 months after that. But their tone on social media has brought them as much attention as their success. Vijhay Vick, the Head of Content, is leading their strategy. In this podcast, he discusses his approach to JDT's unique position.

Kieran Maguire: How to buy a football club

Kieran Maguire: How to buy a football club
Andrew McNeill: How to run an esports franchise

Andrew McNeill: How to run an esports franchise
0