RAMZANINEZHAD, R.; KESHTAN M. H. The relationship between coach's leadership styles and team
cohesion in iran football clubs professional league. Brazilian Journal Biomotricity, v. 3, n. 2, p. 111-120,
2009. The present study examined relationship between coach's leadership styles and team cohesion in Iran
football clubs professional league (2006-2007). Athletes (n=264) from 12 football teams completed the
perceived version of the leadership scale for sport (LSS) and the group environment questionnaire (GEQ).
Both questionnaires were administered at the end of season. Result indicated that increases in athletes’
perceptions of team cohesion was positively correlated with perceptions of their coach exhibiting higher
levels of training and instruction, social support, positive feedback, democratic behavior and lower levels of
autocratic behaviors. A Comparison of coach’s leadership styles demonstrated that football coaches
exhibited higher in training and instruction and lower in democratic behavior. ANOVA with repeated
measures and Tukey post hoc test revealed that successful football teams tend to be more cohesive and
their coaches exhibited higher levels of democratic and social support behavior. Overall, the findings support
the significant relationship between team cohesion and leadership behavior, and highlight the
interdependence in team sports, which can significantly affect the need for team cohesion that contributes to
team success.
