As we have seen in the present day reality, the coach takes the major part of the blame and it is the reason why coaches are often sacked after an unsuccessful season and players are not always sold. The coach makes decisions as;
1. Who to play
2. How long to play
3. Formation to play
So, why will the blame come on the players. Although, players obviously have their bad days.
So if it's mainly the coach that is responsible for the players as you stated, so why is it that when a team wins the match, it's mainly the players that gets all the credits for the win, only few times that coaches are acknowledged, why? For me, it's the players that's should take majority of the blame when the lose same way they take majority of the credit when they win.
And probably this is also the reason that coaches are being fired first when teams have problem, like not winning or being eliminated for years. Although there could be circumstances that beyond the coach, like players are injured that's why they played so bad that they've lost even if they are the betting favorite. Players just followed what their coaches design in play. Otherwise if they don't follow it, then it's either they are going to be bench or not given enough playing time. Players might be to blame but it's not totally their fault if coach has other things in mind that's why they lost.