Set the Right Tone

Hugo Lloris, France’s World Cup Winning captain and long serving Tottenham Hotspur shot stopper, has released his autobiography Earning My Spurs.

In an exclusive excerpt published in The Guardian the goalkeeping great has revealed his frustrations at the mindset of some of Tottenham’s hierarchy in the lead up to the 2019 Champions League Final.

Four before the biggest match in the club’s history Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy gifted the playing group luxury watches with “Champions League Finalist 2019” engraved across its back.

After Spurs lost to Liverpool 2-0, Lloris questioned if the club “really want to win”.

“As magnificent as the watch is, I have never worn it,” Lloris wrote. “I would have preferred there to be nothing on it. With an engraving like that, Levy couldn’t have been surprised if we had been 1–0 down after a couple of minutes: so it was written.”

There are many factors that influence an athlete’s mindset and performance, ranging from family and coaches to management.

Can something as simple as an inscription on a watch really set a tone that could be perceived as negative or discouraging before a high-stakes match?

Let’s break this down from a sports psychology point of view:

1. External Distractions and Lack of Psychological Support:

The engraving of “Finalist” on the watches is a crucial moment to analyze in terms of psychological preparedness.

In sports psychology, it’s vital that athletes focus on the effort, growth, and journey, not just the final outcome.

The gesture could have been demotivating for the players (Lloris said it didn’t just affect him “I still haven’t got over it, and I’m not alone”) subtly implying that the final result was already predetermined, reinforcing the idea that the team was destined to lose.

Rather than emphasizing the importance of striving for victory, the engraving prematurely defined their success by focusing on a “finalist” status instead of a “winner” mentality.

This can contribute to a sense of defeatism, undermining motivation and fostering a mindset that accepts failure as a likely outcome.

2. Post-Loss Emotional Disconnect:

The aftermath of the final revealed a troubling emotional disconnection within the club.

Lloris described feelings of isolation and frustration as the team did not experience the necessary emotional support following the loss: “At the post-match reception at the hotel, I had the impression that some people from the club and certain players were not sufficiently despondent at having lost.”

In sports psychology, emotional resilience is key to bouncing back after a tough setback, but in this case, there appears to be a lack of collective bonding and a shared commitment to recover and move forward.

Without the proper psychological recovery mechanisms in place, it became harder for the team to regain their focus and determination to pursue future success, which ultimately hindered their ability to grow from the experience.

Lloris’ revelations are a lesson that staff across organizations can impact the psyche of players and that while their intentions may have been good, they have can have negative effects on the playing group.

To cultivate a positive mindset before games, athletes can focus on these strategies:

• Visualization of Success Athletes should spend time mentally rehearsing positive scenarios, imagining themselves performing well and executing key skills under pressure. This mental practice builds confidence and primes the brain for success.
• Positive Self-Talk Replacing negative or self-doubting thoughts with affirmations and constructive statements can boost confidence and foster a mindset focused on capability and resilience, reducing anxiety and enhancing performance.
• Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome Shifting attention from the results (winning or losing) to the execution of skills, effort, and present-moment focus helps alleviate pressure and keeps athletes grounded in what they can control, improving their ability to perform under stress. After the game, it’s important for athletes to take time for self-reflection, celebrate achievements, and process emotions. They can do this through:
• Allow Emotional Processing: Give yourself permission to feel whatever emotions arise after the game—whether disappointment or frustration. Acknowledge and accept these feelings, but don’t dwell on them. This helps release negative emotions and clears the way for reflection.
• Celebrate Successes: Reflect on what went well, whether it was a key play or staying focused under pressure. Celebrating successes, no matter how small, helps maintain motivation and reinforces positive behavior.
• Reflect, Learn, and Seek Feedback: Analyze what worked and what didn’t, focusing on areas for improvement. Get constructive feedback from teammates and coaches, using it to identify specific actions for growth. This turns mistakes into learning opportunities and helps you prepare more effectively for future performance.

By better understanding the impact of such psychological elements, athletes and teams, and staff from the wider organization can learn to navigate their mental game more effectively, ensuring that external influences don’t undermine their potential for success.