252 Helping Out Of Contract Professional Footballers

Demystifying Mental Toughness

David Charlton discusses the psychological impact on professional footballers who are out of contract, a common issue in the summer months. These players face financial and emotional uncertainty, often without support from their former clubs. The loss of identity and routine can lead to a grief cycle, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. David emphasises how a Sports Psychologist can help professional footballers in these circumstances setting new goals, processing difficult emotions and providing a listening ear.

Key Learning Points:

• Self-esteem and self-confidence can be impacted greatly when professional footballers are released.
• Often players are treated poorly by clubs and communication is lacking.
• In such situations it’s often the case that mental toughness is developed through experience.
• The grief cycle is similar to an emotional rollercoaster that many professional football players experience with no set pattern.

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