--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a manager I always trusted my players…" description: "\"As a manager I always trusted my players on Christmas Day. I did not see any point in dragging them into the training ground - a three-hour round-trip ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/neil-warnock-4977_christmas_as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players_2319979.png" --- # As a manager I always trusted my players on Christmas Day… ![“As a manager I always trusted my players on Christmas Day. I did not see any point in dragging them into the training ground - a three-hour round-trip for some of them on icy roads - when they could relax with their families instead.” quote by Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/neil-warnock-4977_christmas_as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players_2319979.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/neil-warnock-4977_christmas_as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players_2319979.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/neil-warnock-4977_christmas_as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players_2319979.png) > “As a manager I always trusted my players on Christmas Day. I did not see any point in dragging them into the training ground - a three-hour round-trip for some of them on icy roads - when they could relax with their families instead.” [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He prioritized player welfare over training on Christmas, valuing family time and rest during holidays. **In simple terms:** He gave players a holiday break. Key Takeaway Respect personal time during holidays. Themes family balance leadership Mood caring practical Type reflective thoughtful When to use this quote - holiday season - team travel - training schedule - family gatherings Key Concepts work‑life balance employee wellbeing team morale Questions to Reflect On - Is a holiday break worth potential fitness loss? - How to balance rest and readiness? A Different Perspective Risk of reduced fitness during break. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [Christmas day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas-day/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Manager Trusted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manager-trusted-5542348/) [Players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/players/) [Players Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/players-christmas-5456766/) [Relax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relax/) [Roads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roads/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Trusted Players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trusted-players-5542349/) ## Related quotes > [If the players go Christmas shopping, it's not ideal preparation. It may sound silly, but having to fight off the crowds in a busy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coppell/if-the-players-go-christmas-shopping-it-s-not-ideal-preparation-it/) [Steve Coppell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coppell/) > [Older readers will remember there used to be matches on Christmas Day. I remember leaving the fireside and the presents to watch matches on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/older-readers-will-remember-there-used-to-be-matches-on-christmas-day/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [Here's me opening my wrists before breakfast, Christmas day, and here's you asking if it hurt. Here's where I choose between mea culpa and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-donaghy/here-s-me-opening-my-wrists-before-breakfast-christmas-day-and-here-s/) [Michael Donaghy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-donaghy/) > [Miramax seems to be showing the same faith in Roberto Benigni's 'Pinocchio' that the Republican Party showed in Trent Lott; the live-action version of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/miramax-seems-to-be-showing-the-same-faith-in-roberto-benigni-s/) [Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/) > [Opening presents at midnight on Christmas Eve - midnight! As soon as it turns to Christmas Day, we're opening those gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-grande/opening-presents-at-midnight-on-christmas-eve-midnight-as-soon-as-it/) [Frankie Grande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-grande/) > [On Christmas Day 2016, the greatest singer songwriter of his generation, an icon of his era, George Michael, was lost. A supernova in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ridgeley/on-christmas-day-2016-the-greatest-singer-songwriter-of-his/) [Andrew Ridgeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ridgeley/) > [Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-thomas-ellis/blessed-is-the-season-which-engages-the-whole-world-in-a-conspiracy/) [William Thomas Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-thomas-ellis/) > [God rest ye, little children; let nothing you afright, For Jesus Christ, your Saviour, was born this happy night; Along the hills of Galilee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/god-rest-ye-little-children-let-nothing-you-afright-for-jesus-christ/) [Dinah Maria Murlock Craik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/) > [What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb. If I were a Wise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-rossetti/what-can-i-give-him-poor-as-i-am-if-i-were-a-shepherd-i-would-bring-a/) [Christina Rossetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-rossetti/) > [I know that you observe Christmas Day as you learned it at home. I do not observe it. However, as assistant director of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/odilo-globocnik/i-know-that-you-observe-christmas-day-as-you-learned-it-at-home-i-do/) [Odilo Globocnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/odilo-globocnik/) > [Christmas day is a day of joy and charity. May God make you very rich in both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillips-brooks/christmas-day-is-a-day-of-joy-and-charity-may-god-make-you-very-rich/) [Phillips Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillips-brooks/) > [“In all my twenty years of wandering over the restless waters of the globe I can only remember one Christmas Day celebrated by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/in-all-my-twenty-years-of-wandering-over-the-restless-waters-of-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I think it's important not to grow up too fast. I'm 26 now, and I still can't wait for Christmas Day. The inner seven-year-old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-haddock/i-think-it-s-important-not-to-grow-up-too-fast-i-m-26-now-and-i-still/) [Laura Haddock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-haddock/) > [I was nine or 10 years old and my father was sacked on Christmas Day. He was a manager, the results had not been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-mourinho/i-was-nine-or-10-years-old-and-my-father-was-sacked-on-christmas-day/) [Jose Mourinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-mourinho/) > [I love the royal family. I even got up in the middle of the night to watch Kate and William's wedding. And I never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-collins/i-love-the-royal-family-i-even-got-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-to/) [Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-collins/) ## More by Neil Warnock > [On the plus side, leaving Leeds meant I have been able to spend a lot of time with the family, enjoying a very rare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/on-the-plus-side-leaving-leeds-meant-i-have-been-able-to-spend-a-lot/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [Oh, I love Cornwall, it's so special. We bought the house when I was with Plymouth Argyle and we've just kept that on and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/oh-i-love-cornwall-it-s-so-special-we-bought-the-house-when-i-was/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [It is a fine line between communicating and being too chummy. My players, when I've been promoted, have been upset by top-flight refs being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/it-is-a-fine-line-between-communicating-and-being-too-chummy-my/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [I've played for managers who said one thing and did another and players find you out like that. You've got to trust them and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/i-ve-played-for-managers-who-said-one-thing-and-did-another-and/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [My son William is only nine but he's had four public schools so far, one in Cornwall, one when I was at Sheffield, one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/my-son-william-is-only-nine-but-he-s-had-four-public-schools-so-far/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [Ask anyone in the game: if you want a player from France or a French player, 99 per cent of the time, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/ask-anyone-in-the-game-if-you-want-a-player-from-france-or-a-french/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [Apparently I have 12 league games to go to get 1,500 and that is really tempting to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/apparently-i-have-12-league-games-to-go-to-get-1-500-and-that-is/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [My son William and my daughter Amy are both really into their hockey now and I can enjoy watching that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/my-son-william-and-my-daughter-amy-are-both-really-into-their-hockey/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [If you look at my past in the Premier League, without going into too many details, I don't think I had much of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/if-you-look-at-my-past-in-the-premier-league-without-going-into-too/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [My biggest achievement at Cardiff is bringing the whole club together in my two years here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/my-biggest-achievement-at-cardiff-is-bringing-the-whole-club-together/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [Who's been with me longest? Kevin Blackwell. I signed him as a goalkeeper at Scarborough in '86 and he's basically been with me my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/who-s-been-with-me-longest-kevin-blackwell-i-signed-him-as-a/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [In the intervening 48 Christmases I have always either been a player, having to watch what I eat and drink, or a manager, worrying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/in-the-intervening-48-christmases-i-have-always-either-been-a-player/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [No disrespect to Cardiff but they probably needed me more than I needed them, when I was appointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/no-disrespect-to-cardiff-but-they-probably-needed-me-more-than-i/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [It doesn't bother me what division I am managing in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/it-doesn-t-bother-me-what-division-i-am-managing-in/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) > [It's suggested I am big pals with Willie McKay. Am I? I don't think I am. He is an agent. You need these agents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/it-s-suggested-i-am-big-pals-with-willie-mckay-am-i-i-don-t-think-i/) [Neil Warnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) [Explore all 104 Neil Warnock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/) ## More Christmas quotes > [The notion of a non-religious Christmas is ridiculous. But so is the insistence on the part of Christians that politicians and retailers carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/the-notion-of-a-non-religious-christmas-is-ridiculous-but-so-is-the/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-manning/i-once-bought-my-kids-a-set-of-batteries-for-christmas-with-a-note-on/) [Bernard Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-manning/) > [May you have the spirit of Christmas which is Peace, the gladness of Christmas which is Hope, and the Heart of Christmas which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/may-you-have-the-spirit-of-christmas-which-is-peace-the-gladness-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To my future children; you will know the true meaning of Christmas just not you get gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-my-future-children-you-will-know-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No sane local official who has hung up an empty stocking over the municipal fireplace is going to shoot Santa Claus just before a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-smith/no-sane-local-official-who-has-hung-up-an-empty-stocking-over-the/) [Al Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-smith/) > [A new heart for a New Year, always!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/a-new-heart-for-a-new-year-always/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Santa Claus has nothing to do with it," the latke said. "Christmas and Hanukah are completely different things." "But different things can often blend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/santa-claus-has-nothing-to-do-with-it-the-latke-said-christmas-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For Christmas one year I bought my son a BB gun. He bought me a t-shirt with a bulls eye on the back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/for-christmas-one-year-i-bought-my-son-a-bb-gun-he-bought-me-a-t/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [“Why did he hesitate? He finally admitted to himself that he was like an American child who was almost completely certain about Santa Claus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/why-did-he-hesitate-he-finally-admitted-to-himself-that-he-was-like/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [There seems a magic in the very name of Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/there-seems-a-magic-in-the-very-name-of-christmas/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Heaven? Floating about with everyone you ever knew for eternity? Me family does me 'ed in after one day at xmas, I'd rather be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/heaven-floating-about-with-everyone-you-ever-knew-for-eternity-me/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [Like everyone in his right mind, I feared Santa Claus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/like-everyone-in-his-right-mind-i-feared-santa-claus/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [“I stopped keeping an eye out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve because, when I was five, my mother told me that Santa was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/i-stopped-keeping-an-eye-out-for-santa-claus-on-christmas-eve-because/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [On Hanukkah, the first dark night, Light yourself a candle bright. I'll you, if you will me invite To dance within that gentle light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gordon/on-hanukkah-the-first-dark-night-light-yourself-a-candle-bright-i-ll/) [Nick Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gordon/) [Browse all 5,100 Christmas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a manager I always trusted my players on Christmas Day. I did not see any point in dragging them into the training ground - a three-hour round-trip for some of them on icy roads - when they could relax with their families instead.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neil Warnock" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players-on-christmas-day-i-did-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christmas" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players-on-christmas-day-i-did-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/neil-warnock-4977_christmas_as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players_2319979.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/neil-warnock-4977_christmas_as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players_2319979.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70d/neil-warnock-4977_christmas_as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players_2319979.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As a manager I always trusted my players on Christmas Day. I did not see any point in dragging them into the…” — Neil Warnock", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Neil Warnock", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-warnock/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As a manager I always trusted...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players-on-christmas-day-i-did-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-warnock/as-a-manager-i-always-trusted-my-players-on-christmas-day-i-did-not/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```