by Magnus Nødeland Skogedal

The phenomenon of fathers and sons in top-level football is found in many countries. However, little has been known about exactly what the fathers or sons do to achieve success.

“The chances of playing for the national team are extremely small. The fact that there are so many father-son cases on the national team in Norway and internationally shows that this can’t be a coincidence,” says Martin Kjeøen Erikstad.

Erikstad is an associate professor at the University of Agder, He has led a new father-and-son research project recently published in the Journal of Expertise.

In the study, he looked more closely at Gøran and Alexander Sørloth, Ørjan and Patrick Berg, and Erik and Kristian Thorstvedt. All have played for the Norwegian national football team.

The study is the first to systematically examine the dynamics within such top-level families.

You can read the study by following this link.

Relaxed parents

“Most of what the fathers have done is achievable for any parent. But their background in elite football is important for understanding their sons’ success. Inspiration, insight, and access to unique experiences are all factors,” says Erikstad.

In all three father-son pairs the researchers examined, the fathers were extremely important for the sons’ development and careers. But the fathers also had a fairly relaxed attitude towards their children’s interest in football. They were most concerned with preserving the children’s joy of sport.

“The sons we spoke to were socialised into football, so for them it doesn’t feel strange or particularly special to play at that level,” says Erikstad.

The sons spoke of fathers who played with them and supported them, but also of a childhood surrounded by elite sport that was far from ordinary.

Growing up in elite sport

All the sons described being socialised into elite sport in various ways. Their fathers loved playing football, and it became natural to play with a football together with their sons. The habits of elite athletes, such as diet, sleep and work ethic, were seen as a natural part of everyday life.

Their upbringing also gave the sons unique experiences. Patrick Berg accompanied his father Ørjan in the Rosenborg dressing room and observed training sessions. Alexander Sørloth inherited the boots of a national team player when he was playing at youth level himself.

“Such an upbringing created an early dream among the sons of playing for a top team themselves, and they saw this dream as realistic,” says Erikstad.

Clear advantages

The fathers’ football careers, and their later jobs in television and entertainment, gave them flexible schedules with plenty of time to play football with their children.

Many spoke about playing football together on the local pitch. They did this not to develop a future national team player, but because playing football on the pitch has value in itself. They developed football skills, but it was enjoyable and on the sons’ terms.

“Both the fathers and the sons expressed that the fathers never had a plan for the sons to follow in their footsteps. But once the sons decided to pursue football, they clearly benefited from their fathers’ involvement, advice and support,” says Erikstad.

Being a well-known footballer also opens many doors, sometimes quite literally. One father-son pair Erikstad studied, for example, gained access to an indoor sports hall during the winter, even though it was reserved for paying groups. The father noted that their surname probably made access to certain things easier.

The research article also describes how Kristian Thorstvedt had planned to scale down his football ambitions when he failed to secure a contract with Stabæk, and intended to study in the USA instead. A phone call from his father, Erik Thorstvedt, to the then Viking manager earned him a trial, something that turned out to be decisive for Kristian’s football career.

But having a famous surname is far from enough if you want to succeed.

“The fathers have supported and in several cases facilitated opportunities for their sons. But ultimately the sons must show that they have what it takes,” says Erikstad.

“Not a coincidence”

The fathers’ experience from elite football has contributed to a unique influence on their sons. But the research also shows that most of this influence can be provided by parents without such a background.

“Showing joy for sport and physical activity, living healthily, working towards goals and being active with your children are things all parents can do,” says Erikstad.

He highlights support such as driving and preparing meals, but also showing interest in children’s hobbies and how they are doing.

“One of the most important things that emerges from the research is that children must be allowed to develop on their own terms. The joy and desire to take part must come from within,” says Erikstad.