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2024/05
From £2 billion trading to top football coach: Mark Warburton's story!
It’s not uncommon for people to turn their hobbies into their main careers, and Mark Warburton is one such individual: he transformed himself from a top trader into a football coach.
Dreams of Football Dashed, Turns to Top Trader
Warburton was a Leicester City Football Club player in his youth and later joined Enfield and Boreham Wood Football Clubs as a defender. Warburton’s team achieved commendable FA Trophy and the Isthmian League results during his four years at Enfield.
However, an unexpected injury occurred – a torn cruciate ligament after a match forced Warburton to leave the team. He then unexpectedly entered the trading market and grew fond of trading.
He said, “I suddenly realized that trading, like football, is extremely challenging. As my level increased, so did the volume of my trades, along with my responsibilities and risks. As a junior trader, my trades were around £1 million or £3 million.
Gradually, this number became £10 million or £30 million. It was like opening the door to a new world, full of risks, rewards, and responsibilities, but it was impossible not to be excited and fascinated by it.”
In the 1980s, Warburton worked as a senior trader at Bank of America, AIG, and RBS. He primarily traded the Japanese yen, and as a senior trader, his daily personal trading volume reached as high as £1.5 billion to £2 billion.
Returning to His True Passion After Success
Despite a successful 20-year career as a trader, by 41, Warburton felt an inner calling to pursue his true passion—football.
So, in 2004, Warburton left his high-paying banking job to become an amateur football coach at Watford Football Club, earning an annual salary of only £20,000—a reduction of nearly 90% in income. Yet, Warburton felt true happiness, pouring his heart and soul into his new career.
In December 2013, Warburton became the club’s head coach. Under his leadership, Watford advanced to the League One and the Championship. In 2014, Watford ranked 5th in the Championship.
Success Requires Hard Work, Whether on the Trading Floor or the Football Field
Warburton believes that financial trading and football share the same characteristics—everyone desires success, which means substantial rewards and bonuses.
The risk in trading is very high, but if you work hard enough, you can do well. If you don’t, you could lose your job at any time. The same is valid on the football field. Players strive for better contracts, and traders strive for better bonuses. Teamwork, commitment, and effective communication are vital in both environments.
Many aspects of financial trading are valuable on the football field, such as a strong desire for success, strict professional ethics, and mechanisms for unity and motivation. Although the nature of the work is different, players and bankers aim to excel.
Whether as a trader or a coach, Warburton is a successful example. His story tells us that success is never accidental; one can stand out only with extraordinary effort and enough experience and skills.
