The fate of football managers has filled our sports news feeds this week.

Taking the headlines, of course, is the appointment of new England manager Thomas Tuchel. Many will be pleased with the selection given his experience and success, being the man who brought Chelsea to Champions League victory in 2021. Some, however, will feel that there has been a sacrifice of principle; choosing success at the expense of homegrown English managerial talent. The hope is victory at the 2026 World Cup, finally ending England’s 60-year drought.

Also this week, Jonas Eidevall resigned as the Arsenal Women manager. It was perhaps a shock that he resigned, yet his future was already in doubt given his failure to bring home the silverware expected. Arsenal have constantly lived in Chelsea’s shadow, who have won the WSL title 5 years back to back. I was in the stands for his final match in charge last Saturday: defeat to Chelsea at the Emirates which proved to be the last straw.

Who is in contention for the job? There is a growing concern that the WSL lacks female, English coaches. But the demand for silverware is likely to take precedence above the desire to develop homegrown, female talent. As a BBC Sport article said:

“Arsenal’s new manager must deliver.”

It’s all about silverware. It’s all about success. If not?

Sacked in the morning.

The turbulent nature of this can be seen in the average length of service of the current 20 Premier League managers, which is just 750 days; around 20 months. This has decreased every decade since the 1930s. Job security for a premier league manager is fragile!

Success or you’re out.

This is, of course, also true for players. You’re only as good as your last game. You’ve got to perform, or you’re out of favour.

Those of us in sports clubs will experience something of this - the insecurity of your place in the squad unless you are consistently performing. And we also understand the nature of this in our own jobs - though they may not be as ruthless as the Premier League!

How different this is to the Gospel!

We are not saved by our credentials, by our performance. We are saved by the grace of God. It is entirely a gift. Paul writes to the Ephesians:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8

And the way in is the way on. Our salvation is utterly secure. We don’t need to maintain a perfect performance before God to remain in His favour.

When you fail as a manager, you’re out.

When you fail as a Christian, it can be so easy to think that God is angry at you. That you need to hide from Him. That you need to make it up to Him. That when things go wrong in life He is punishing you. That your sin will disqualify you, and one day God will just give up on you.

But no.

Who can bring any charge against you? God has justified you.
Who can condemn you? No one - Jesus died for you, was raised, and intercedes for you.
Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Nothing. At all. Ever. (Romans 8:33-39)

So no, you’re not out. You’re not cut. You’re not going to be sacked in the morning.

No matter your performance, no matter your failures. He will always back you and hold you close.

Whatever happens in sport - sacked, dropped, forgotten - our salvation is secure. Our identity is secure. Our place in God’s family is secure.

We are loved.

Rosie Woodbridge

Rosie is a Mum of two, she goes to St Mary's Church Basingstoke and writes occasionally for Christians in sport