Identifying causal, contextual, and intervening factors affecting the talent management of Iranian football

The purpose of this work was to identify the factors affecting the talent management of Iranian football.

The research method was qualitative and grounded theory. Data collection was performed using library studies, as well as in-depth and semi-structured interviews with experts. The participants of the study consisted of all football talent management experts in the three fields of scientific, managerial, and executive who had a complete knowledge on the subject of the research work, and the sampling method was purposeful. Interviews with the experts continued until theoretical saturation was reached (21 interviews with 19 experts). The research findings were analyzed through a coding process in three stages: open, axial, and selective.

In total, 46 causal influencing factors were identified in the form of four sub-categories (components) and in two general categories (concept), expert manpower and structural-facilitative factors. Also 52 contextual influencing factors were placed in the form of seven sub-categories (components) and in three general categories (concept), scientific-research factors, environmental factors, and individual contextual factors. Finally, in the group of intervening factors, a total of 24 influencing factors in the form of 4 categories (process, causal, contextual, and strategies) were categorized.

Creating the necessary platforms, especially strengthening the scientific and research field and the precise conceptualization of talent and talent management, paying attention to other effective individual characteristics, especially specific values, moral character, and lifestyle, preparing suitable conditions in the cultural, political, legal, economic environment, creating appropriate structures and formulating and implementing a strategic plan, financing, and facilities, and especially investing in coaches and managers, along with controlling the interfering factors, are effective and necessary for the talent management of Iranian football.