Crossword Genius

Soccer boss is a long time taking on male title (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

manager

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'soccer boss' is the definition.
'manager' can be an answer for 'boss' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'soccer' bit.

'long time taking on male title' is the wordplay.
'long time' becomes 'age' (an age is a period of time).
'taking on' says to put letters next to each other.
'male' becomes 'man' (man is a kind of male).
'title' becomes 'r' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'age' after 'man' is 'manage'.
'manage'+'r'='MANAGER'

'is a' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for manager that I've seen before include "suit?" , "Decision-maker" , "Person in charge of staff" , "Ran game (anag.)" , "head of department" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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