There is always more than one way of looking at things. It is true of football, too. Beyond the game there is a gameplan; behind it there are coaches, managers, clubs; they, in turn, are propelled by different goals, varying philosophies. And for those who are looking, the game has management takeaways aplenty.

Lesson 1: Coaching strategies

• There is no blanket formula for an ideal coach. In 1996, Arsene Wenger ( left in pic) joined the English football club, Arsenal, as their manager and changed the way the club was run. He came in and changed it all - the social side of the game, the training. Wenger knew the importance of nutrition - he banned the players from eating chocolates and put an end to the drinking culture, which was a part of almost all clubs in the premiership! Not only did the results come in the form of trophies but the careers of many players were prolonged. As Wenger and his methods became successful, the other clubs followed. Football clubs in England would never be the same again. Innovation, faith in your team and representation of your values through your work are probably the most important things a manager could have. And all these qualities should be accompanied with bravery and honesty.

Lesson 2: Optimise manpower

• Pep Guardiola is a successful manager who made the brilliance of teams (Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich) seem routine. His micromanagement methods, however, seem really suffocating to some. But they do work, as his trophy cabinet proves.

"The relationships and behaviour off the pitch between teammates have to be as good as possible," Guardiola said in an interview to NBC Sports. Sir Alex Ferguson, ex-Manchester United manager who is worshipped by fans and pundits alike, was an example of a manager who knew how to make average players perform exceptionally. "Optimisation is the keyword and mantra for a successful team. And the coach or leader is there to enforce it," says Aniket Mishra, media manager, FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.

Lesson 3: Style of play

• "We are a team, we win as a team, we lose as team," Jose Mourinho, current Manchester United manager, had said after his then team, Chelsea, exited the FA Cup. He was also the one who took underdog Porto to the top of the UEFA Champions League. He is not scared to do what is necessary to get results.

The best leader is one who has total belief in his ways and also the flexibility to adapt. Football coach Amal Dutta took everyone by surprise when he introduced the diamond system while coaching at Mohun Bagan. The formation yielded good results in the initial rounds of the Federation Cup. However, in the semi-final against arch rivals East Bengal, Mohun Bagan lost 4-1. But Dutta's determination and vision to see things differently is an asset that is valued highly in corporate boardrooms.

Lesson 4: Teamwork and values

• Belief in what you are doing is of utmost importance and it has to come from the collective. A proper manager acts as a shield for his team at turbulent times and is the captain of the ship. "The coach or even a team lead in a corporate set up should be a man-manager who is responsible to get the best out of the team at his disposal," says Mishra.

Ferguson's first order of business was bringing in young players who could sustain the club for years, rather than signing veterans for short-term success. He was never shy to let stars such as David Beckham leave when he felt they had run their course. Ferguson stressed the fact that no individual could be bigger than the collective and the harmony of a team is a pivotal aspect. This is a lesson that is equally true in a company boardroom.