10 Things We Learned From World Cup 2018

Before the tournament began, several head coaches were called out by fans and the press. Funnily enough, four of the most criticised coaches went on to have the best tournaments of all. Gareth Southgate, Didier Deschamps, Roberto Martinez, and Zlatko Dalić all had their doubters in the buildup to the World Cup, but each man showed that he was more than up for the job.

Southgate was criticised for being a nice guy, too scared to make the big decisions; Deschamps was lambasted in his homeland for his squad selections and dull style of play; some called for Martinez to quit after he left Radja Nainggolan at home; and Dalić was a major doubt, having spent much of his coaching career in Saudi Arabia.

In the end, all four of these coaches showed astute tactical awareness, leadership skills, and smart man management, with each one making vital changes and introducing new ideas that helped their teams succeed. Meanwhile, more successful and respected coaches like Tite or Jorge Sampaoli struggled to get going, proving that past experiences and reputations don't always mean that much.