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Editorial: Talent Spotting Interview: José Mourinho Fast

Editorial: Talent Spotting Interview: José Mourinho Fast

Editorial: Talent Spotting

Interview: José Mourinho

Fast Growth of Grassroots creates Challenges for Coaches

Words of Wisdom

The Development of UEFA’s Convention

NEWSLETTER FOR COACHES N O .27 JANUARY 2005 Frits Ahlstrøm Graham Turner Andy Roxburgh EDITORIAL GROUP Printed byCavinSA Atema CommunicationSA André Vieli PRODUCTION a UEFA awardfromBobbyRobson. (PHOTO: EMPICS) ● COVER IMPRESSUM José Mourinhoreceives

FLASH PRESS TEAM TO ARSENAL. FROM THE SPANISH UNDER-17 FABREGAS: CESC 2 AND CESC FABREGAS. CESC AND ROXBURGH ANDY

EMPICS

EMPICS

UEFA Talent Spotting

EDITORIAL potential – the next, they are men For a young player, the journey across starring in the professional game. the ‘bridge’ from youth level to the BY ANDY ROXBURGH, professional game can be hazardous. UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR We at UEFA are conscious of the On the pitch, top-level football becomes part we play in the football education more technical, more tactical, more of young players. Of course, the clubs professional, more competitive, and identify the talents and nurture them faster in every way. Off the pitch, there During the 2003 FIFA Under-17 on a daily basis. But the national is more pressure (media), more influ- World Championship final in Helsinki, youth teams offer an international ences (agents), more money, more I saw a pass which astonished me. dimension – competition against the demands (time), and more restraints. The precocious talent who dispatched best players from other countries, a As Arsène Wenger says: “The speed the 50-metre diagonal ball over the severe test of technical/tactical ability, has increased, even the speed to make head of a bewildered Brazilian defender and a life experience which can money.” was Spain’s 16-year-old Cesc Fabregas. transform a youngster’s view of foot- I can still picture in my mind the ball and life. Our aim is to provide UEFA’s youth competitions contribute graceful way he moved and the bril- the best environment and the best- in a very special way to the develop- liant side-volley technique which quality football. To achieve these aims ment of Europe’s emerging talents. he used to strike the ball. But there we are constantly upgrading the com- In 2005, UEFA will stage the Europe was more than one great pass by the petitions through promotion, finance, versus Africa Meridian Cup in Turkey, young Spaniard, because Fabregas was organisation, implementation, and the European Under-17 Champion- voted Player of the Tournament, and quality control; and we fully support ship finals in Italy, and the European a professional career beckoned. After the associations in their efforts to Under-19 Championship final tourna- starring in the 2004 European Under-17 have the best players released for ment in Northern Ireland. Many of Championship, Cesc signed for Arsenal international duty. For the clubs and the games will be screened live on FC, and within three months of join- the associations, the long-term devel- Eurosport, so keep your eyes open – ing the London club he had played opment of a player should always you might see a wonder pass by a more than 20 first-team matches – take precedence over short-term bright new talent, just as I did when a meteoric rise to stardom for the needs. To put it another way – when young Cesc Fabregas produced a young man from Barcelona. But swift you work with youth, tomorrow is diagonal ball that even the Brazilians progress like this is not uncommon. more important than today. had to admire.

Many of the famous players who took part in EURO 2004 were graduates of UEFA youth competitions. captained the French Under-18s to the European title in 1996 and then two years later won a FIFA World Cup winners medal. At EURO 2004, Johan Vonlanthen of Switzerland and of England became the youngest players ever to score in a European Championship final tour- nament. Both played in UEFA’s youth competitions – Wayne at Under-17 level and Johan in the Under-19s. of Portugal, of the Netherlands, and Petr Cech of the Czech Republic are other recent examples of UEFA youth players

who have made the transition to the EMPICS highest level of club and national-team Johan Vonlanthen, another talent who has progressed from youth football to elite level, football. One day, they are boys with playing these days for Switzerland and PSV Eindhoven.

3 INTERVIEW BY ANDY ROXBURGH, UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR EMPICS

THE STORY OF JOSÉ MOURINHO’S SUCCESS AS A COACH, AT FC PORTO AND NOW AT CHELSEA FC, IS THE STUFF OF COMIC BOOKS AND MOVIES. BUT HIS RISE TO PROMINENCE DID NOT HAPPEN BY CHANCE – IT WAS THE RESULT OF INTELLIGENCE, BURNING DESIRE AND A COMMITMENT, OVER MANY YEARS, TO FOOTBALL EDUCATION AND TO GAINING PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AT TOP PROFESSIONAL CLUBS. AFTER HIS STUDIES AT A SPORTS UNIVERSITY, HE PACKED HIS BAGS AND CAME TO SCOTLAND TO ATTEND THE FA’S COACHING COURSES (AT THE TIME I WAS SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL COACH AND DIRECTOR OF THE COACHING PROGRAMME WHICH THE YOUNG, IMPRESSIONABLE JOSÉ PARTICIPATED IN). AFTER A SPELL AS A YOUTH COACH IN PORTUGAL HE WORKED FOR MANY YEARS WITH AT SPORTING LISBON, FC PORTO, AND FC BARCELONA. AT THE LATTER CLUB, HE ALSO HAD FOUR YEARS AS ASSISTANT TO BEFORE EMBARKING ON A SOLO CAREER AS HEAD COACH AT UD LEIRIA. JOSÉ MOVED TO FC PORTO AS HEAD COACH IN JANUARY 2002, AND BEFORE DEPARTING IN THE SUMMER OF 2004 TO CHELSEA FC, HE HAD CAPTURED THE UEFA CUP, THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, TWO PORTUGUESE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES, PLUS THE PORTUGUESE CUP AND SUPER CUP. A REMARKABLE RECORD FOR AN OUTSTANDING COACH. HE IS THE CURRENT CLUB CHAMPION OF EUROPE – HE IS... JOSÉ MOURINHO 1 • What motivated you to become ology, the exercises, the develop- the youth sector I joined Sporting a coach? ment of ideas, analysing the game, Lisbon as assistant to Bobby Robson. The biggest motivation was football, not trying to improve the players and The first step was to study, the next the coaching job. Every kid who loves the team. The English part of the step was to develop young players football wants to be a player. I thought job which links you to other areas and the third step was to work along- I could be one, although maybe not a of the club, like the Youth Academy side a big coach at pro level. I repeat, top one. At the same time my father and the work of the Board, appeals the process was step by step. was a coach and football was a big to me. I love all aspects of the job, part of my life. I studied at the sports but I got to this point step by step. 2 • How did leaving Portugal for Spain university and therefore it was step by I started as U-16 coach in Portugal affect your development as a coach? step. You feel that you cannot be a top and when I finished my studies I joined Bobby in Barcelona and this player, but you love to study football, I went to Scotland in the late 80s was a big motivation – new country, sports science and methodology and, to join you, and your methods new culture. Then Louis van Gaal on reaching a certain age, you decide made me think about methodology arrived and I was exposed to another that you would love to coach, to be in- in a different way. The way you style, another philosophy. While Bobby volved in football. You lose the appetite used small-sided games to develop knew everything about me, I had to to be a player and you start to love the technical, tactical and fitness ele- prove myself to Louis, to adapt to idea of being a coach. At this moment ments – a global view of training. the Dutch School, to a new way of in time I can say I love to be a coach After I came back from Scotland training. The Ajax School, the van Gaal on the pitch. I like the direct involve- I felt I made a difference through way of seeing football, was a new ment with the players, the method- my coaching work. After working in adventure for me. After another four

4 ANDY ROXBURGH PRESENTS JOSÉ MOURINHO WITH A PHOTO OF THE PORTUGUESE COACH POSING BETWEEN THE TWO EUROPEAN TROPHIES. ACTION IMAGES ACTION

my mind some exercises I did with you in Scotland, but from these I tried to develop my own variations. The same with ideas from Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal. Even when I was scouting for Bobby around the world I got ideas. I tell youngsters who are trying to follow me, “don’t accept what I give you as the pure truth”. I have always tried to learn, and people like Louis challenged me. During my last year at Barça, for example, I was given the responsibility of taking the team in some friendlies or cup games and Louis would monitor the way I handled things. I was prepared to take charge of a team – I had developed my know- how and my confidence. Confident yes – arrogant no. I am open to people, and my friends laugh when they read articles which label me as arrogant – they know it is not true. I am focused on my job and when I say I think we will win I am only saying what most coaches think before a match. When the players think you are strong and that you trust them, it helps them to have a good attitude.

4 • Was there one moment when you knew you were on the way to stardom?

EMPICS Yes. Portugal is like Scotland. You can be a king in your own country but people outside don’t recognise years at Barça and at 34 years old, team – it was a crucial period of you and, of course, your countrymen I returned to Portugal. I may have rebuilding. The next season was fan- wonder if you can be a success looked young, but I was prepared to tastic because we won the UEFA Cup abroad. The important thing is to be become a head coach – my journey and the treble in Portugal. That season recognised in Europe and the crucial had been a long process, involving prepared us for the next season moment for me was when we won many important experiences. because the level was not the same as away to Panathinaikos FC in the in the Champions League. Confidence quarter-finals of the 2003 UEFA Cup. 3 • What was it like to come back was high because the players were We had lost at home and no Portu- to FC Porto as the head coach? ready to face trips to Manchester or guese team had ever earned a point The first six months were incredibly Madrid. It was a great process – this in Greece. We won 2-0 and in that difficult because the club and the team just did not happen by chance. Along moment I felt I had gone from the were in a very bad situation. But this the way, I have been influenced by domestic level to the European stan- period helped me to understand the some people, although I have never dard. Winning the final against Celtic club and to prepare the next season. been the type to just accept the truth was the second big step in my career I changed players and reorganised the of others. For example, I still have in because I then felt I was a success

5 different todaythanIwasfiveyears I thinkithasbeenanevolution–am style asacoach? 6 of theworkisalwaystactical. time theyhavehad.The emphasis condition andtheamountofplaying dependingontheir players intogroups that. Oftenweneedtoseparatethe done whenwefeeltheplayersneed the exercises.The individualworkis of aspectsarepart and psychological that otherthingscome–thephysical ball possession,positionalplay. After how topress,whentransitions, to developtacticalaspectsofthegame: ing ontime,distanceandspace.Iwant with meonthetacticalsystems,advis- My fitnesscoach,forexample,works before, Ibelieveintheglobalmethod. the wholeprocess.AsIsaidtoyou The tacticalaspectsareatthecoreof themtoeveryoneintheclub. and give for theteam.Iwritedownmyideas – Iconcentrateonmytacticalideas season andItrynottowasteanytime ofthe I haveaplanatthebeginning training sessions? 5 to higherthings. in Europeantermsandcouldmove • • How wouldyoudescribeyour What doyouemphasiseinyour League winner’s medal. with hisUEFA Champions present JoséMourinho and Lars-Christer Olsson Johansson Lennart

EMPICS TO THE TEAM. TO THE SAY TO ALWAYS SOMETHING IS THERE or Spain,aslongthetrainingiswell England work, whetheritisinPortugal, periods.Playerswantto during short We goforqualityandhighintensity time highandrestingverylow. tion toanotherwitheffectiveworking a waythatIcanjumpfromonesitua- I thereforepreparemysessionsinsuch one pitchatmytrainingcentre,and always beenluckytohavemorethan very demandingduringtraining.Ihave ble managementstyle,althoughIam Overall, Iwouldsaythathaveaflexi- atthatmoment. ready tobeanalytical one word,becausetheplayersarenot at half-time,butafterthematchnot is alwayssomethingtotelltheteam as wellatacticalcontribution.There emotionalcomponent always acertain responsefromme.There is a certain emotional becausetheteamneeds that Icanbeverycoolor the teamneedsmetobe–thismeans control myemotionsandtobewhat During thehalf-timeteamtalk,Itryto second halfIcananalyseathome. notes, butonlyinthefirsthalf. The so Idon’tshouttoomuchbutdotake with theplayersduringatopmatch my team.Itisdifficulttocommunicate half becauseathalf-timeIneedtohelp duringthefirst much moreanalytical ago. When itcomestogames,Iam 6

EMPICS the gameoffootball. The matchagainst Champions League finalbecauseof Celtic thanbeatingMonaco in theUEFA when winningtheUEFA Cupagainst for me,theemotionwasmuch greater nothing incomparison.Imust saythat, the European/SouthAmerican Cupis the ultimateclubcompetition–even leg. The UEFA Champions Leagueis being thehometeaminsecond in extratimekillsanyadvantageof Madrid. Inaddition,theawaygoalsrule up canbeBayernMunichorReal It meansnothingbecausetherunners- to playthesecondofanothergroup. has ence whenthefirstofgroup est levelthereisoftenverylittlediffer- penalty, alatewinner, etc.Atthehigh- level withoutsuchamoment– remember anyteamwinningatthis went ontowinthecup,andIdon’t I thinkwedeservedit).Afterthat against ManchesterUnited(although teamscored last-minute goalmyPorto some pointyouneedluck,likethe need tobeaverystrongteambutat the UEFA ChampionsLeague,you ent approachestothegame.To win exposed ustodifferentsystems,differ- matches duringthepre-seasonwhich for theChampionsLeague,Iarranged away. When team IpreparedmyPorto wereverysimilarhomeand Porto away. IntheUEFA Cup,ourresultswith keep thescoredownwhenyouare play inacrazywayathomeortryto want towinacompetition,youcannot mentality thatwehadathome.Ifyou to playawaywithexactlythesame away fromhome.With Itried Porto must bepreparedtoplayforaresult competition isfantastic.Everyteam The ‘knock-out’elementofeachtop of thesecompetitions? back-to-back, whatisyourview and theUEFA ChampionsLeague 7 the purposeofexercise. organised andserious,theyknow • Having wontheUEFA Cup

ACTION IMAGES ANDY ROXBURGH JOSÉ MOURINHO IN CONVERSATION WITH AT WORK WITH CHELSEA, JOSÉ MOURINHO. COACHING AND STEVIE CLARK, JOSÉ DURING A MATCH, WITH ASSISTANT, LOOKS ON. .

despite the high tempo. Also, in English football, full-backs who lack height can have problems because of the long-ball tactic employed by many teams.

11 • What tactical trends do you see at the top level of the game? Transitions have become crucial. When the opponent is organised defensively, it is very difficult to score. The moment

AFP/ASFOURI the opponent loses the ball can be the time to exploit the opportunity of some- one being out of position. Similarly when we lose the ball we must react two clubs, like Greece, this can be an immediately. In training I sometimes advantage. In the big countries – that practise keeping a minimum of five AFP/DE SOUZA is those with the money – this cannot players behind the ball, so that when happen because the players are spread we lose it we can still keep a good around various clubs. I must say that defensive shape. The players must learn Portugal, as a country, was fantastic with to read the game – when to press the organisation, and the team did well. and when to return to their defensive The image of Portugal was enhanced positions. Everybody says that set Celtic was dramatic until the last by EURO 2004. As we are talking plays win most games, but I think it moment – they even sent their goal- about national teams, I can tell you is more about transitions. keeper into our penalty box to attack that one day I would like to be the a corner in the dying seconds. But after head coach of Portugal, but not now. 12 • What concerns you most about the dust has settled, then the UEFA I would not like to retire without having football today? Champions League title is the greatest been the Portuguese manager. On the field, the constant disruption prize. On a personal level, the night and the wasting of time bothers me. we won it was difficult because I was 9 • Are there any laws, interpretations I would like us to consider actual full of conflicting emotions, knowing or regulations which concern you? playing time because some people that I would be leaving the team – I did At Chelsea, I am frustrated because are clever at manipulating the time. not see my Porto players again until often our counter-attacks are stopped three months later when they came to by ‘technical fouls’ and no yellow 13 • How has your meteoric rise Stamford Bridge in this season’s UEFA cards are given. Some teams are to the top affected your life style and Champions League competition. masters at this. Also, the interpretation you as a person? of the offside law is very confusing Nobody knew me, and then suddenly 8 • What was your impression and it must be very difficult for the within two seasons I am known every- of EURO 2004? match officials to make decisions. where. Of course, you live with the I think Greece in EURO 2004 was like pressure and with the public attention. Porto in the UEFA Champions League 10 • What are the main qualities that My life and that of my family has because the strength of the team and you look for in a player? changed. It is, of course, part of the the desire to be successful were deci- Once again, I take a global view. I have job to deal with the various demands. sive. For Greece, it was a step-by-step produced profiles for each position in However, a principle for me is that process of gaining confidence and terms of personality, athletic qualities, I never miss a training session due to a victory for commitment, belief and technical skills, etc. And, of course, if a other claims on my time. I strongly organisation. Like everyone else I player lacks speed he has no chance believe that professional duties always thought some top players were below in today’s top-level football. OK, you come before external business requests. par. Also, in countries where they can may get a midfield player who is quick You will gather that, for me, football build around the players of one or mentally and he can still perform is my job but also my passion.

7 KAREN ESPELUND, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE NORWEGIAN FA AND CHAIR- WOMAN OF UEFA’S WOMEN’S FOOTBALL COMMITTEE. EMPICS/BUZZI FAST GROWTH OF GRASSROOTS CREATES CHALLENGES FOR COACHES THE 5TH UEFA GRASSROOTS COURSE, STAGED IN OSLO AT THE END OF OCTOBER, UNDERLINED THE ENORMITY OF THE SUBJECT. AS THE ARTICLE IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF UEFA DIRECT REPORTED, THERE WAS EMPHASIS ON RECOGNISING THE BASE OF THE FOOTBALLING PYRAMID AS AN AREA WHERE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND BASIC SOCIAL VALUES CAN BE BRED AND NURTURED.

This led to discussion on the best ways monitors, coordinators and coaches coaches are often the ones who know of funding grassroots football and mak- are required. And, as trotting on to a more about children than football. It is ing the game available to as many sec- football field doesn’t automatically con- only further up the scale that the ‘foot- tors of society as possible by introduc- vert all and sundry into healthy, well- ball knowledge’ component takes on ing and promoting football for various balanced members of the community, greater relevance. Coaching courses categories of disabled persons. There social values also need to be coached. therefore need to be carefully designed was also very positive feedback on and, the technicians in Oslo insisted, it UEFA’s support of grassroots events Hence the feeling in Oslo that there should never be forgotten – no matter staged last summer as part of the is a ‘coaching curve’ at grassroots level. how much social, political or commercial organisation’s Jubilee year, along with In the youngest age brackets, the best underpinning can be detected – that the installation of mini-pitches in mem- ber territories – one of which was inau- gurated in Norway during the course.

One might be forgiven for thinking that all this is far removed from the techni- cian. But, of course, it is not. Reports from England indicate that holiday courses represent the largest employers of coaches. A visit to Vålerenga IF’s impressive indoor pavilion emphasised that coaching the disabled requires special skills and, going back to England, one major sponsor has made an undertaking to help to train 8,000 new coaches by 2006 via community pro- grammes. What’s more, the sheer numbers of people currently enjoying youth, amateur or veteran football are a clear indication that more and more The “models” greet the young players.

8 THE GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL STIG OVE SANDNES, AMBASSADORS TAKE TO THE FIELD. HEAD OF THE LEFT TO RIGHT: DARIUS DZIEKANOWSKI, NORWEGIAN FA’S HANSI MÜLLER, GABRIEL CALDERÓN, AMATEUR FOOTBALL SERGEI ALEINIKOV AND ZVONIMIR BOBAN. DEPARTMENT. PHOTOS: UEFA PHOTOS:

Girls generally make better progress in single-sex teams than in mixed teams.

we are dealing with Football with a male and 5,228 female coaches. In capital F. Specialisation, they warned, 2003, they monitored 25,719 standard can lead to fragmentation if carried skill tests at two different levels. to extremes. His colleague, Karen Espelund, urged coaches to exercise maximum discre- There was also debate about how far tion about the extent to which mixed competitive elements should be teams can be productive. The risk, Andy Roxburgh shelters UEFA Vice-President allowed to intrude into grassroots foot- she stressed, is that, if they have to Per Ravn Omdal at the mini-pitch inauguration. ball. The English FA, for example, chan- compete with the boys, only the tough- nel resources into six national teams est girls will be willing to persevere in Other national associations admitted within the disability-football framework, football and the rest will drop out. that they are working within different with the view that success creates role financial and operational parameters. models who can be vital for future Piet Hubers explained how the coaching This is why the team in Oslo asked development. In Oslo, practical sessions foundations are being laid in the Nether- UEFA to become the educational were so ably spearheaded by Sergei lands via kick-off meetings and courses reference point; for educational tools Aleinikov, Zvonimir Boban, Gabriel at the start of each new season. A typi- to be provided via websites or DVDs; Calderón and Hansi Müller that there cal course consists of four three-hour for grassroots elements to be included was a call for UEFA to help national meetings directed at parents who are in coaching licences; and for UEFA associations in establishing links with potential youth coaches. The content is to promote partnerships between the top players who could play the role a mixture of theory and practice and national associations who make up of ambassadors at grassroots level. each participant goes away with a pack- the European footballing family. age that includes basic information in But, above all, there was a unanimous The Norwegian hosts, hailed as one of book and CD ROM form. The courses feeling that, despite the undeniable the pacesetters in grassroots develop- are part of the job for 50 part-time boom in grassroots football, coaching ment, revealed, via Stig Ove Sandnes, regional coaches who dedicate some standards must not be allowed to that they have held 1,894 courses for 20 hours a week to football and report drop and that quality is the key to a coaches and currently count on 23,285 regularly to 20 full-time district coaches. healthy future.

9 THE STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE. UEFA WORDS OF WISDOM DURING THIS SEASON’S UEFA NATIONAL COACHES CONFERENCE IN STOCKHOLM, MANY INTERESTING VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED, SOME OF WHICH PROVOKED INTENSE DEBATE. SOME EXAMPLES:

Sven-Göran Eriksson it’s too much. You start to prepare “I tried to play friendly games with (Head Coach of England) them but you really don’t know where 11 substitutes because the problems “I think we should always try to have to start or stop. If you work too hard, with the clubs are mostly to do with one month between the league finish- you kill them. If you work too little, friendly games – not the double- ing and the start of a major tourna- it’s also a problem. All countries should header qualifiers. Manchester United ment. We need that amount of prepa- have one month to prepare, and or Chelsea might have a game on a ration. We could maybe give the I think FIFA should make a rule to take Sunday; then we play on the Wednes- players one week off, followed by care of that. Talking about football day and on the Saturday at 12.00, three weeks of preparation. One of in general, it’s sad that, at a World Cup they might have another league or cup the reasons for us going out in the or a European Championship, you game. Club coaches are very worried, quarter-finals of the World Cup and the have so many stars who don’t perform and I therefore thought that to change European Championship is that the as well as they can. The French all 11 was a great idea, but FIFA took fitness level was not good enough. players – especially those in the that privilege away. It was something If they have played 60 or 70 games – were tired. that helped the clubs a lot and it helped me as well because I could see my ‘best’ team for 45 minutes and then look at other players. I think it was a pity that the idea was not accepted because it helped the clubs. The idea of playing double-headers on Friday/Saturday and Tuesday is not a problem for us and I think it would help the clubs a lot.”

Marcello Lippi (Head Coach of Italy) “We have to examine the loads being imposed on elite players and try to find ways of helping them to produce their best form at major tournaments as well as with their clubs. Technically, we saw a lot of emphasis on compact play at EURO 2004 and I think that what

EMPICS I call ‘external’ factors were very impor- Sven-Göran Eriksson has a word with . tant, if not decisive. I’m referring to psy-

10 ANDY ROXBURGH MAKES A PRESENTATON ABOUT EURO 2004. UEFA

or to minimise these conflicts. After need a new approach from the Juventus, I have moved to the other coaches, whereby the players don’t side and I see things a bit differently. take part in every game. It means But I am already convinced that com- redefining the role of each player mitment to the cause is the crucial so that we don’t have cases of top factor. If you look at the big teams who players dropping out.” are involved in Europe and who are competing in a 20-team championship Köbi Kuhn and cup competitions, you can see (Head Coach of Switzerland) that they basically get one free Wednes- “I’ve worked for six years in youth day during the season – and that’s in football for the Swiss FA and I know January. As a club coach, it’s obvious all the young players. I took about what your way of thinking is when seven players from the Under-21s you’ve got Juventus v Inter on Sunday, a Champions League game on Wednesday, another league game on Saturday and a national-team friendly on the following Wednesday. You don’t

EMPICS/BUZZI have to be a genius to understand why a player is tempted to wonder if . he wouldn’t be better staying at home to recover physically and to relax a bit. That doesn’t signify that the player chological factors. It will be interesting doesn’t want to be part of the national to see whether last season’s successes team. It’s simply a professional response by the ‘underdogs’ were simply an acci- to a situation where the player draws dent, and if the top club and national up a list of mental priorities and wants sides will come back to the top. to do the best for himself as a person and as an athlete. He sometimes “You have to bear in mind that the needs some time and space to himself. national team represents the football Mentally, the players are very commit- of the country. I mean, Italian national ted. But you have to examine their football is not represented by its clubs. needs. If you have players coming Not by Juventus or Milan or Roma, in through from the Under-21s, they will the same way that German football need to gain international experience at isn’t really represented by FC Bayern or senior level by playing friendlies. But Dortmund or Bremen. Even less so in the same doesn’t apply to the top stars. Spain, where there are so many foreign players in the championship. National “If a player reaches 30 and says he pride and characteristics come to the no longer wants to play in the national EMPICS fore in the national team. At a club, you team, I think that’s a great mistake. Köbi Kuhn. can’t claim that a squad that contains A great example is , 17 or 18 imported players represents who was one of my most important into our squad for EURO 2004 with national identity. It’s only the national players at Juventus. I can understand a view to the future, of course. But team that can claim that. So far, I have that players sometimes get exasperated you also have to think about more to say that it has been a positive experi- because people always want – or even immediate success. So we sat down ence for me to work with an all-Italian demand – more from them, to the with the FA and with club officials and group and to feel responsible for the extent that they no longer have time tried to devise a strategy for bringing national identity. It’s nothing new to for their family. On the other hand, through young talent. Being able talk about the possibilities of conflicts football in the country shouldn’t be to bring through six or seven players between national-team and club inter- deprived of talent just because a player gives us quite a lot of confidence. ests and, of course, the idea is to avoid has reached the age of 30. Maybe we I think that a large part of this young

11 UEFA

SOME FAMOUS COACHES TAKE PART IN THE QUESTION- AND-ANSWER SESSION. IÑAKI SÁEZ.

team will still be with us at EURO plus the keeper. We regard a corner decisive pass and the player capable 2008 and will give us a chance to do for the opposition as an excellent of making it is sometimes more something for the reputation of Swiss occasion for a counter-attack. We important than the player who can football.” have a culture in and we don’t score goals. So this is something that necessarily do what they do in we’re trying to instil in the minds of Europe or in Portugal. OK, Greece our young players. We have to con- (Head coach of Portugal) scored in the EURO 2004 final and vince them that the game is about “In the World Cup there are big differ- we had no one on the near post. scoring goals, not just about producing ences in standards and personality It can happen. And it can happen beautiful manoeuvres. We have to between the competing teams, where- again. I prefer to have people cover- go for goal. Beautiful football is fantas- as a European Championship is con- ing the short corner and defenders tic if it can be married to results. But tested by sides of a similar level. We to cover the far-post corner – not results count and no one can criticise have equality in Europe. We sometimes to have people standing in the goal. a winner. The team that won had a encounter teams at the World Cup number of favourable factors that who can be beaten with relative ease. “At EURO 2004 Greece had certain other teams just didn’t have or didn’t However, coaching in the European qualities that the others didn’t have have enough of.” Championship is much more difficult, and Otto was a great winner. He especially when you take into account deserves our applause because he Iñaki Sáez (Head Coach of Spain the cultural elements. assessed his players perfectly and got at EURO 2004) 100% out of his players’ qualities. “The pressure is higher with the “It is the Brazilian culture not to put He deserved to be the champion national team. Basically, the media are players on the posts at corners against. because in Portugal we obviously fell not interested in Under-21 football. If we put two players on the goal-line, a bit short of getting 100% out of It means you can work at ease – and we don’t have enough up the field. the team. In Portugal, we have a I find it very enjoyable to work with This is important because we want to small problem with the young play- the youngsters. Suddenly you move counter-attack and we always try to ers. It’s important to know who is up to the senior team and you are in have three players up front. The other capable of delivering the decisive the limelight. You have to perform team is usually attacking with three or pass. If you score a goal, it’s OK. But, all the time. Then you appreciate that four and has three or four at the back, to score a goal, you usually need a in the younger teams you have the best possible working conditions and can get on with developing the best young talent and groups of players who are motivated and eager to learn and to progress. Once you’re at the top, everything changes – for the coach and the players. Spain must look closely at this if we want to improve in the future. We must try to create an environment where the coach and the players can get on with the job in a calm way. We’re talking about a country that has competed in seventeen finals in lower age groups and has won ten of them. This means that we have good players coming through and the challenge is to make them successful at the top level. That is the area we have to study and to improve.

EMPICS “We have a certain number of Luiz Felipe Scolari instructs his playmaker . endemic problems in Spain. We are

12 .

that we were on the right path. Some- times, as a coach, your instinct is to try to please everybody. But you can’t. Let’s face it, if you have 100,000 people in a stadium, the only one who knows nothing is the coach. So it’s vital to take decisions and base them on facts that are plausible and accept- able. Some of the teams in Portugal seemed to have an army of people BONGARTS with them. But there were only two of us – my assistant coach and myself. also a high level of Fair Play. I would The number of officials was kept to cite the example of the way the an absolute minimum and I made it Portuguese reacted to their defeat in

EMPICS clear to the players that, no matter how the final. Scolari! What a great man! much we discussed certain subjects, I think there was a tremendous one of the importing countries and, I would have the final word. spirit of fairness. As for the negative amazingly, the imported players have aspects, I would look beyond the usually been given preference over the “You need good fortune. You can’t time-frame of EURO. During the tour- home-grown ones because the clubs blame Sven-Göran Eriksson if a penalty nament in Portugal, were unwilling to invest in or rely on is missed by – a player was being heavily criticised in Holland home-grown talent. The situation is who can shoot out the eye of an ant by players and even coaches – so changing because money is running from 200 metres. But you have to lay much so, that he left the Coaches short and teams like Sevilla are leading the foundations by getting working con- Association. If I have to talk about a a trend back towards home-grown play- ditions that are as near perfect as pos- fellow coach, I prefer to keep my ers. This is going to be an advantage sible. You can get political pressures – mouth shut unless I can find some- because, in the past, the youngsters people telling you to pick players from thing positive to say. I find it difficult who have won titles for Spain in age- certain clubs or certain regions. So you to swallow that coaches will criticise limit tournaments have not been able have to be strong. Sometimes I saw a colleague in a destructive manner to get much regular first-team football the players smile because I had taken via TV. Coaches are lonely. We’re with their clubs. If this changes and the a decision that was ‘politically impossi- lonesome cowboys and, when we’re younger players can get more experi- ble’. When you go to a tournament successful, we’re surrounded by ence in league football, we might be you have ideas, visions and plans. But a bunch of friends. When we start able to bridge that gap between suc- things can work out in a different way. losing, they’re gone. Please be cess at Under-21 and senior levels.” fair to colleagues and never criticise “EURO 2004 was an excellent tourna- the way a colleague is working. Otto Rehhagel ment with a high level. But there was We need to assist each other.” (Head Coach of Greece) “People keep reminding me of the KEY QUESTIONS comment I made about being a ‘demo- cratic dictator’. I tried to instil some What do you think? pride into the players and I made some fundamental changes. I know that you a) Should a red card be issued for a so-called professional foul in the want the directors, the sponsors, the penalty box (i.e. the infringement is caused by the last defender), media and so on to be happy, but the or should the referee have the option of giving a yellow card? essential thing is to follow your own b) Beautiful football is of no value unless it is linked to results? path. You have to be prepared to take c) Should the teams have at least four weeks free for recovery and decisions that are not always welcomed by everybody. Winning the EURO quali- preparation before the World Cup or European Championship? fying matches meant that there were d) What can be done to keep the star players, like Zidane, playing for more and more decisions to be taken the national team after they reach the age of 30? and it was important to be convinced

13 MIRCEA RADULESCU, ROY MILLAR, ROMANIA’S COACH HEAD OF COACH EDUCATION

UEFA EDUCATION DIRECTOR. IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

Coach qualifications The development of UEFA’s Convention ON 17 JANUARY 1998, THE “UEFA CONVENTION ON THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF COACHING QUALIFICATIONS” WAS RATIFIED IN GHENT BY SIX COUNTRIES REGARDED AS LEADERS IN COACH EDUCATION AT THE TIME, NAMELY, DENMARK, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, THE NETHERLANDS, AND SPAIN.

Numerous other countries have Currently, the applications of 19 national on the contrary, variety in styles since signed up to the Convention, associations are being processed. of play represents the very essence which is based on a three-level Their training courses are being evalu- of the game and should certainly training course: the B licence, requir- ated on the spot and they are being not be sacrificed. In addition to the ing at least 120 hours of tuition, encouraged to develop coach educa- mandatory criteria, each association the A licence, also requiring at least tion schemes that meet UEFA’s criteria. can integrate its own ideas into its 120 hours of tuition, and the Their efforts are supported by mem- coach education scheme. Pro licence, comprising at least 240 bers of the Jira Panel, which meets instruction units. The B licence allows several times a year to steer the devel- At the same time, the Convention the holder to coach youngsters opment of the training schemes, is intended to protect the coaching and adults at the lower levels of ama- discuss training structures and content, profession and smooth the way for teur football, while the A licence and to decide on applications from the free movement of qualified covers the highest levels of youth candidate associations. coaches within Europe, in harmony and adult amateur football, and semi- with European legislation. UEFA professional football, and the Pro Next year, the signatories to the collects educational material from licence is essential for anyone wanting Convention will be re-evaluated for individual associations and shares to work in professional football. the first time, in accordance with the it with the other associations. Executive Committee’s decision to Following ratification in December ensure continuous quality control of The Convention also reflects the by Northern Ireland, Romania and the national coach education schemes desire to persuade the associations to Ukraine at Pro level, and by Albania and thus to reinforce the credibility make coaching licences compulsory. and Moldova at B level, over 143,000 of the Convention. Thereafter, their All teams – and professional teams coaches from all over Europe are now membership will be reassessed every in particular – should employ only covered by the Convention at one three years. coaches who have undergone coach level or another. So far, 38 of UEFA’s education and hold an appropriate 52 UEFA member associations have The Convention’s declared aim is to licence. This is not yet the case in signed the Convention, including upgrade coach education within the all UEFA member associations. Such 24 as full members. Full membership national associations. To this end, steps will take on particular significance (B, A and Pro levels) is not the only minimum criteria have been defined in connection with the introduction option available; an association may for the three training levels (B, A and of the UEFA club licensing scheme, be admitted as a limited member Pro). If it meets these criteria, any UEFA in which coach qualifications and given the possibility to gradually member association can accede to the are clearly defined and constitute develop its coach education system Convention. However, the standardisa- an absolute requirement. while already being accepted into tion of the minimum criteria should the Convention in a partial capacity. not result in a loss of national identity; Frank Ludolph

14 UEFA AGENDA TRAINING 2005 January 27 UEFA Disabled Football Panel High-tempo Nyon February 4-11 passing movements UEFA/CAF Meridian Cup PAR (U-17 tournament) • Turkey Assistant Manager of Manchester United FC February 9 Aim Meridian Gala Match ● High-tempo possession play, with (Turkey v Tunisia) forward runs and switching of play

Numbers February 14-20 ● 8 v 8 or 9 v 9 European Futsal Championship Duration Final Tournament ● 6-minute units (x 3 – depending Czech Republic on intensity required)

Rules February 22-23 ● Two-touch (can also be played as UEFA Champions League an ‘all-in’ game) 4th Round (1st leg) ● A goal is scored when the ball is first passed through one of the corner goals, is controlled by another March 8-9 member of the attacking team, UEFA Champions League and is passed successfully to a team- mate (i.e. a goal is scored on the 4th Round (2nd leg) completion of a three-man passing movement, with the first pass in the sequence going through the goal).

Coaching ● Emphasis on reading the game, supporting runs from behind the ball, switching play, and maintaining high-tempo passing movements. EMPICS

15 UEFA Route de Genève 46 Union des associations CH-1260 Nyon européennes de football Suisse Téléphone +41 22 994 44 44 Téléfax +41 22 994 37 34 .com

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