Coach characteristics and their impact on substitution decisions

This study analyses the factors influencing coaching decisions when substituting players, particularly in light of the rule change from three to five permitted substitutions. To this end, 161 coaches and their decisions are analysed in 1,836 Bundesliga matches from 2017/2018 to 2022/2023, whereby the tactical components, timing and age structure of the substitutions are examined. A total of 13,363 substitution situations are therefore analysed at the level of individual decisions. The main influencing factors are the age of the coach, professional experience and the length of time spent working with the team. Spectator numbers and goal difference hardly play a role.