How Gaffer works
Gaffer puts you in the dugout during live football matches. You make the tactical calls — substitutions, formation changes, pressing triggers — and earn a Gaffer Points based on accuracy, timing, and impact.
Five steps from sign-up to your first Gaffer Points
Create your free account
Sign up in under 30 seconds with Google or email. No credit card. No commitment. Your first coaching session is free — no questions asked.
Find a match and tap Coach This Match
The Matches page shows today's fixtures across Premier League, Champions League, Nations League, World Cup, and more. Hit the green 'Coach This Match' button on any live or upcoming game.
Choose your bench and set your formation
Pick whether you're coaching the home or away side. Then set your starting 11 and formation — 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 3-5-2, and more. You can adjust your lineup until the official XI is confirmed and the match hits minute 15.
Coach during the match
Substitute players, change formation, and flag inaction when the coach hesitates. Gaffer detects critical events — goals, red cards, momentum shifts — and prompts you to respond.
Earn Gaffer Points and challenge friends
Every decision is scored. Your session total appears on the global leaderboard — or compare scores against friends inside a Private Group. Create a group, share an invite link, see who's the sharpest tactical mind.
How Gaffer Points work
Every decision is scored across three dimensions. The better your calls, the higher your rating.
Accuracy
Did the decision improve the team's tactical situation based on the match state at that minute?
Timing
Was the change made at the right moment — not too early, not too late, not reactive when proactive was needed?
Impact
Did the decision lead to a measurable shift — goals, momentum, or defensive stability — in the remainder of the match?
Score formula
(Alignment + Timing) × Urgency multiplier + Impact
GP is only awarded when real match events confirm your call. CRITICAL moments carry a 1.5× multiplier. Impact bonuses fire when your sub scores.
When does Gaffer prompt you?
Gaffer tracks real match events and flags decision moments automatically. You can also make proactive changes at any time.
Common questions
How are Gaffer Points earned?
Points are objective and outcome-based. You earn GP when the real coach makes the same call you made (alignment bonus), when you called it before the coach (timing bonus), and when your decision had a positive match impact. You also earn points for spotting inaction — situations where the coach should have acted but didn't.
Can I use Gaffer without creating an account?
Yes. You can browse matches and start a coaching session without signing up. Creating a free account saves your session history, unlocks the leaderboard, and lets you track your Gaffer Points over time.
What happens if the match is already in progress?
You can join a live match at any point. Your decisions are scored from the minute you join. Gaffer catches you up with the match timeline so you're never coaching blind.
How many decisions can I make per match?
Free users get 3 coaching decisions per match. Gaffer Pro (€6.99/month/month) unlocks unlimited decisions, full session history, and leaderboard priority.
When does my lineup lock?
You can update your lineup until the official XI is published and the match reaches minute 15. After that it locks — so your pre-match picks reflect your own knowledge, not a copy of the real manager's announced XI.
Ready to step into the dugout?
Free to play. Sign in with Google in one click. Your first Gaffer Points are one match away.
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