With the recent debates surrounding Murray's decision to part company with Brad Gilbert, i was wondering, what do you think makes a good tennis coach? There's obviously an aspect of having a good working relationship, but what other factors make someone a good coach? Do players make the best coaches, and if not, why not? And finally, who do you think are the best/worst coaches out there - and why?

That's a good post...players do need coaches..even the best ones..I may sound quite controversial here but even Federer needs a coach..despite his record triple this year too.
Brad Gilbert was Agassi's coach too and IMO Agassi would have done better without him.
A good coach should also be a kind of a moral support to a player..for instance it may be disconcerting sight to see Justine a true world number one looking up to Carlos after maybe every point ..but it was Carlos in the first place who brought her to the position she is in...Myskina on the other hand had a lot of trouble with coaches..she would sack a coach everytime she had a bad match..
Maybe a good combo of a coach and student is just very hard to find..it is only chance I guess...

Interesting.
Definetly the players make the coach in my opinion.I always define or liken a coach to a personal relationship.The player has the love affair with the sport and the coach is the best friend on the outside of the relationship who is supposed to see flaws from outside in.

A good coach has the abilty to break opponents down from the sideline.They have the in depth ability to find fundamental flaws in not only opponents games but also their charges.They can take a negative aspect and make it a positive one.

Sadly though there are currently no great coaches out there these days.Players also cahnge coaches like their underwear.For me some of the best coaches that come to mind are Heinz Gunthart,he coached Steffi.The late Gulikson brother who coached Sampras till he kicked the bucket.Tony Pickard wasnt to bad either.These are legends I feel.These days Gilbert is somewhat good,Peter Lundgren wasnt to shabby either.The thing is most coaches are from the old school and the game today is different from what it was back then and what used to work then doesnt work now.Thats whay I maiantain a good coach is someone who can break down any opponent from the sideline and have his charge implement it effectively :ok: