Humatrix Research Insight – Psychological Safety and Club Culture in Professional Football

In a recent study, Humatrix surveyed more than 120 employees, coaches, and leaders from a range of different clubs. The aim was to make psychological safety — and its impact on structure, communication, and performance in everyday club operations — visible.

The findings reveal clear patterns:

• Error culture: In more than 70% of cases, employees stated that mistakes are rarely addressed openly. Instead of constructive discussion, a climate of silence emerges.

• Communication gaps: More than half of respondents reported that important information does not arrive on time — or does not arrive at all. In particular, communication between the coaching staff and management was described as insufficient.

• Role ambiguity: There are often overlaps in decision-making authority between executive management, the sporting director, and the coaching team. This leads to conflict, delays, and duplication of work.

• Stakeholder pressure: Sponsors, media, and fans increase expectations, while internal structures are not designed to cope with them. The result is reactive action instead of proactive steering.

• Change management: During coaching or management changes, stability often breaks down. Only a few clubs have established processes to manage transitions in a systematic way.

The study makes one thing clear: clubs do not lose only on the touchline or on matchday — they lose in the invisible areas behind the scenes.

Based on these findings, Humatrix develops tailored solutions:

• Structural analyses that clarify roles and responsibilities

• Communication designs that secure the flow of information

• Culture programs that measurably increase psychological safety

• Change processes that do not destabilize, but instead build stability

Our conclusion: The greatest potential does not lie on the pitch, but within the system. Those who use it create clarity, trust, and sustainable success.