ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a perspective on ‘how to make things work’ from the world of professional football. It provides a general overview of men’s professional football, including a description of some key demands in a sport where top-level players usually represent multiple clubs (often in different countries and competitions) and, in some cases, their national team at the same time. The chapter considers some particularly important principles for ‘surviving and thriving’ in the domain. It explores Tore’s own career and how the ‘surviving and thriving’ principles played out in his specific journey. Tore has termed the first of these “seeking a pro contract”, which spans his first three clubs in Norway, up to signing for Chelsea FC in 1997. As well as creating and shaping internal challenge, Tore’s experiences also point to the benefits of embracing and adapting to external challenge; both on and off the pitch.
