Challenges of Human Resource Management for Sport Coaches

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran.

2 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

Abstract

Sports coaches are recognized as one of the primary factors in the success of teams and athletes. Therefore, effective human resource management (HRM) of coaches can have a direct impact on enhancing the performance and achievements of sports teams. This study aims to identify the challenges of human resource management for sports coaches. The research is developmental in its objective, exploratory in its orientation, and qualitative in nature. The research population consisted of sports managers and coaches who were selected through theoretical and snowball sampling (19 participants). These participants underwent in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Based on grounded theory, data analysis and coding were conducted using MAXQDA 2020 software. The analysis resulted in the emergence of 32 main concepts, which were then condensed into seven main categories: challenges of planning and policy-making, credit and financial, selective, educational, coaching philosophy, motivational, and oversight. Finally, after integrating and linking the research categories, a model of human resource management challenges for sports coaches was presented. According to the final model, it is crucial for sports decision-makers and managers to pay attention to the identified challenges and to utilize the proposed solutions for preparation, prevention, mitigation, and reduction of the possible issues.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of New Studies in Sport Management
Volume 7, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 69-84

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