For Wealdstone manager Sam Cox, the answer to why elite bosses are dressing down is simple: it comes down to authenticity.
The style-conscious National League manager thinks the shift in fashion at the top of football is down to “comfortability” and coaches wanting to be true to their core identity.
“I always believe that fashion is a way of expressing yourself and it is an expression of who I am,” the 35-year-old told BBC Sport.
“In my last tenure at Oxford City, I lasted 10 games. I was wearing the club tracksuit, I was doing what they say, I was wearing trainers, not shoes, and I was probably talking a certain way to probably please the people there.
“I feel most comfortable when I’m being my true authentic self. I think it is important that I show that this is who I really am.”
Unlike most managers, Cox, who has coached in Baller League and also appeared in the Ted Lasso television series, is active on social media and posts photos of his outfits on Instagram.
A clip of commentators reacting to his outfit in a recent FA Cup game picked up 350,000 views on TikTok.
While he has taken stick from fans and other coaches for his often flamboyant appearance, Cox says he isn’t going to change.
“I know I’m different and I love to embrace that,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of snidey comments from opposing managers, but that is also fine. I know I’m different. I’m a Christian vegan black manager in the National League. It’s not the norm.
“I think the most important thing is being true to yourself and I’ll stand by that.”
