Fatherhood In Football: The challenges managers and players face of balancing family life and their profession

Such is the dedication of a football manager, and the relentless 24/7 nature of the sport, even the arrival of their own newborn babies have seen coaches produce multi-tasking of the highest order.

Take West Brom manager Carlos Corberan who knows a thing or two about juggling his two favourite things in life: football and family.

The Spanish coach guided his then Huddersfield team from the hospital ward his wife was due to give birth to their first child, as they faced Barnsley in the FA Cup fourth round back in February 2022.

Not content with letting his support staff take over the reins for one match, Corberan was surrounded by devices and in communication with his assistant throughout in the comfort of a small room close to the labour ward as they booked their spot in the fifth round with a crucial 1-0 win.

"My first child, Marcus, was born hours after a cup game. I had my computer, had my TV, had my phone and I was on the call with my assistant for 90 minutes, watching the game and managing it from the hospital," Corberan told Sky Sports in an exclusive series exploring Fatherhood in Football.

When Corberan's second child arrived earlier this year, it looked like the 41-year-old might have to repeat his managerial duties from the labour ward. This time, baby Dario arrived the day before West Brom's Championship clash with rivals Birmingham. It meant Corberan could support his wife, enjoy his first cuddles with Dario and prepare for Saturday's 3pm kick-off.

"It's true I was looking at my watch to see if I would be on time in both things because missing the birth of your child is something you could always regret and you never know what can happen in these situations in football," Corberan told Sky Sports.

"But at the same