Turning rejection into triumph – Lessons from football

Image. Football coach inspiring and guiding players on his. ChatGTP Dalle.

Do you believe you have untapped potential? Most of us do. But it can be hard to see it on our own. That’s where mentors, career coaches, and guides come in. Like football managers, they see what others don’t. They help people find their strengths, rebuild confidence, and take the next step.

The football metaphor here is powerful because everyone understands the drama of being sold, dropped, or doubted - and the triumph of coming back stronger.

The most important skill is to have a flair for discovering talent and hidden resources in people, and for develop and motivate them further.

A great coach doesn’t focus on your past failures. They see your future potential. They look beyond the resume (CV), the setbacks, and the doubts. Because sometimes, when it seems like you are stuck or finished, you're actually close to your breakthrough.

Two ways to help people grow - challenge and motivate

Some people grow from tough love. Others thrive with gentle encouragement. The key is knowing which approach to use - and when.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary Manchester United manager, once said his father made him feel like nothing was ever good enough. That could have broken him. But instead, it made him push harder and never settle. He demanded the same drive from his players. Some flourished under pressure.

On the other hand, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp took a different approach with Sadio Mané during a tough time in 2018. Mané was injured and struggling to get back in shape. Klopp chose to support him quietly, giving him space and trust. He reminded everyone that players are human, not machines. This mix of care and belief helped Mané find his form again.

The lesson is: it`s how you challenge people that matters. Make it about belief, not judgment. Help people see what they can become, not just what they are.
Sometimes, being pushed works. Sometimes, being understood works better. The best mentors and coaches learn to balance both.

Powerful quotes to remember

Here are a few timeless proverbs that remind us how growth, belief, and guidance can turn setbacks into strength:

"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still." – Chinese Proverb
"You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him discover it within himself." – Socrates
"Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves." – Steven Spielberg
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." – Winston Churchill

These quotes all carry the same message: people grow when someone believes in them. A mentor’s role is not to push from behind but to walk beside.
When rejection becomes fuel - amazing stories from football

Amazing stories

Football is full of stories where failure led to greatness. Here are a few that continue to inspire:

Lionel Messi was told he was too small. At 11, he needed expensive hormone treatment. His family couldn’t afford it - until Barcelona saw his potential, signed him, and gave him the help he needed. Today, he’s one of the greatest players in history. Not just because of talent, but because of determination.
Ian Wright wasn’t picked for youth academies. He was a late bloomer who finally made it at 28. From tough beginnings to becoming an Arsenal legend, his story shows that success doesn’t always come early. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdwTmFxZASs
“From Prison to Premier League Legend – The UNTOLD Story of Ian Wright! This is the full, unbelievable journey of how a rejected teenager with no academy background, no support, and no hope became one of Arsenal’s greatest-ever players. A story of pain, rage, and ultimate redemption - you won’t believe what it took for Ian Wright to rise from nothing to football immortality.”
Jamie Vardy worked in a factory after being released by Sheffield Wednesday. He fought his way through lower leagues and led Leicester City to a Premier League title. Later, he became the league’s top scorer. Vardy made his international debut for the England national team in June 2015 and was selected for UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The club's 2015–16 Premier League title win attracted global attention, and they became one of seven clubs to have won the Premier League since its inception in 1992. Proof that hard work beats early fame.
David Platt was rejected by Manchester United as a teen. He started again in the lower leagues. A few years later, he scored for England in the World Cup and captained the national team.
Luka Modrić was told he was too small and weak. He survived war in Croatia, kept fighting, and later won the Ballon d'Or. Courage matters as much as skill.
Mohamed Salah left Chelsea because he "wasn’t good enough." At Liverpool, he became one of the best forwards in the world.
Virgil van Dijk was told at 17 he wouldn’t make it. Today, his play at Liverpool and is one of the best defenders in football.
Luis Suárez was sold by Barcelona as "too old." He joined Atlético Madrid and helped them win the league the next season. His revenge was very hard.
Antoine Griezmann was written off at Barcelona. Back at Atlético Madrid, he found his spark again.
Bodø/Glimt, a small club from northern Norway, was never expected to win anything. At Bodø Glimt’s annual meeting in 2018, General Manager Frode Thomassen said it straight out: “Glimt will never become league champions.” Every year, Bodø/Glimt players keep hearing the same thing: “This time, they will collapse.” But that turned. The management and head coach believed in young, overlooked players, so they built a strong culture, played fearless football, and shocked Europe. In august 2025, they reached the Champions League. This was a result of emphasizing the collective effort (teambuilding), not individual heroics.

These are the kinds of football fairytales where raw determination, resilience, and late breakthroughs turned “unknowns” into world stars.
Every one of these stories shares the same message: being rejected doesn’t mean you’re finished. Sometimes, it means you’re just starting the best part of your journey.

Helping people grow – on and off the pitch

Helping someone reach their potential often comes down to creating the right environment. Football teaches us that change can unlock growth. That might mean for a player:

Joining a new team or company (change scene)
Learning new skills (maybe something unique)
Taking on a new role (position) in the team
Finding a place where you feel like you belong (socialization)
Getting emotional or mental support

It’s not always about working harder. Sometimes, it’s about finding the right place to grow.

Here’s what football teaches us about mentoring and coaching:

Rejection isn’t the end – it’s often a turning point. Help your clients see that every “no” could be a setup for a bigger “yes.”
Look for hidden strengths – even when they don’t show up on a resume (CV). The best qualities -resilience, creativity, adaptability - aren’t always obvious.
The right environment matters – sometimes, the person doesn’t need to change. The environment does.
Late bloomers are real – careers don’t always start fast. Some people rise later, stronger and more ready.
Belief makes a difference – people often need someone to believe in them before they can believe in themselves.

Good coaches and mentors don’t just give advice. They open doors. They help others find the best in themselves, even when it's buried deep.

Final thoughts - believe first

Whether you’re a mentor, coach, or just someone trying to figure things out, remember this: small encouragements can spark big changes. Talents stay hidden until someone sees them, asks the right questions, and believes.

Just like in football, success often comes after setbacks. Rejection doesn’t mean you’re finished. It might mean you’re just getting started.
And sometimes, all it takes is one person to believe in you.

Stein Morten Lund, 6th September 2025

Additional information
There are countless fascinating stories in football - tales of underdogs rising against the odds - that continue to inspire me. As a former chairman and board member in several companies and organisations, team leader, and career coach (mentor), I draw motivation from these journeys. They remind us that hidden talent, resilience, and the right support can transform lives.