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In-Season Head-Coach Dismissals And The Performance Of Professional Football Teams

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  • Jan C. van Ours
  • Martin A. van Tuijl

Abstract

type="main" xml:id="ecin12280-abs-0001"> This paper studies the causes and consequences of in-season changes of the head-coach of association football teams. We exploit data from the highest level of Dutch professional football during 14 successive seasons. An in-season change of the head-coach depends on recent match results and the difference between actual results and expectations as measured using bookmaker data. We find that, after the head-coach has been replaced, teams perform better than before. However, the performance is also better than before for a control group of coach replacements that did not occur. From this we conclude that replacement of head-coaches does not improve team performance. (JEL J44, L83)

Suggested Citation

  • Jan C. van Ours & Martin A. van Tuijl, 2016. "In-Season Head-Coach Dismissals And The Performance Of Professional Football Teams," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 54(1), pages 591-604, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:54:y:2016:i:1:p:591-604
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/ecin.2016.54.issue-1
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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