The Technician #44 (11.2009)
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The Technician N°44•E 14.10.2009 13:34 Page 1 Editorial: The Best of Bobby Interview: Henk ten Cate Style, Stars and Simulation Theory and Practice An English Summer The Charter Accountant NEWSLETTER FOR COACHES N O 44 NOVEMBER 2009 The Technician N°44•E 14.10.2009 13:34 Page 2 IMPRESSUM EDITORIAL GROUP Andy Roxburgh Graham Turner PRODUCTION André Vieli Dominique Maurer Atema Communication SA Printed by Artgraphic Cavin SA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Monica Namy Stéphanie Tétaz COVER Coach Fabio Capello salutes David Beckham, John Terry and Wayne Rooney as The magic and the smile England qualify for the of Bobby Robson will always 2010 World Cup. be remembered. (Photo: Empics Sport) Getty Images 2 The Technician N°44•E 14.10.2009 13:34 Page 3 THE BEST OF BOBBY EDITORIAL But Bobby wasn’t just about enthusi- excited every time kick-off approaches. asm and energy. He was a highly com- Even when the opposition scores after BY ANDY ROXBURGH, petent coach and a wise council for 21 seconds, I still bounce back.” UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR others. At a UEFA coaches conference same years ago, he described his Bobby’s record as a coach was out- approach to crisis management with a standing. Winning the UEFA Cup with story about his time at FC Barcelona. Ipswich Town was a remarkable achieve- On one occasion, his team were losing ment. As he himself said: “Taking heavily at home (4-1 down just after Ipswich from a “Cinderella” club to the I write this with a heavy heart, half-time) and the crowd were waving top level in Europe was fantastic. Yes, with admiration and with a smile. white handkerchiefs to emphasise their I had 14 years to do it. I had no money, The passing of Sir Bobby Robson frustration. I asked Bobby: “What did but I had time.” Thereafter, he was a has provoked a cocktail of emotions you do?” He replied: “I called a taxi.” success with England, PSV Eindhoven, for all of us in football’s coaching Humour was never far away when you Sporting Clube de Portugal, FC Porto community, because the man who communicated with Bobby. No, he and FC Barcelona, where he won the led England to a World Cup semi- didn’t call a cab, he made his tactical European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1997. final was universally admired, appreci- changes, his astute substitutions, and At the last three mentioned clubs he ated, respected, even treasured. the opponents, Atlético Madrid, were nurtured a young assistant called José To be caught up in Bobby’s bubbling finally beaten by five goals to four. Mourinho, who went on to win the enthusiasm was to be intoxicated Bobby explained: “I learned how to UEFA Champions League and the UEFA with the romance of the game. I once make tactical substitutions to win a Cup, and is currently leading FC Inter- asked him what his main quality match, especially during my years in nazionale Milano. Bobby influenced was, and he replied: “The key word Holland, Portugal and Spain. The main many players and numerous coaches is love – I just adore football”. Well thing is to pose the other coach a prob- throughout his career – he cast his spell, the feeling was mutual – the game’s lem, to read the game, and to make his football magic, wherever he went. affection for him was boundless. decisions which create an advantage.” When Bobby left Newcastle United, Fellow technicians and players he Everyone who ever worked with him he called Gérard Houllier, who had just worked with were always fulsome in always got the best of Bobby – it was parted company with Liverpool FC. their praise. Sir Alex Ferguson once 100% or nothing. I remember inter- Without any trace of arrogance (Bobby said: “He’s a true football man who viewing him for this publication. He got was humility itself), he said to his has committed his whole life to foot- up, started running around the room coaching colleague: “How will they ever ball. I think he is one of the most- to describe the movements of Alan replace us?” There was no need to loved and respected managers in Shearer, his star striker at Newcastle answer the question. Bobby Robson the world.” Louis van Gaal declared: United. I had to ask him to come back was unique. A man of the pitch, an “I love Bobby Robson.” And Franz and sit down because the tape recorder inspiration to many, someone who will Beckenbauer described him as a could no longer pick him up. He said at be remembered with great admiration “sportsman from tip to toe.” Mean- that time: “I’m hooked on football. I get and with a smile. while, David Beckham said of Bobby: “He is an amazing person and the aura around him is so special.” And Luis Figo, with sincerity, declared: “He’s a legendary coach and I’m happy to Bobby have worked with him at two different Robson in clubs.” The public reaction to his death, conversation the turnout at his recent memorial with UEFA’s service and the multitude of compli- technical ments from football colleagues under- director, lined the popularity of the man. At Andy Roxburgh, when they UEFA’s recent coach education work- managed shop, we paid our own tribute to England and Bobby during the opening session – Scotland the spontaneous applause of his respectively. coaching colleagues, who had come from all over Europe, was testament to their feelings for a special man. 3 The Technician N°44•E 14.10.2009 13:34 Page 4 INTERVIEW BY ANDY ROXBURGH, UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images AS A DUTCHMAN AND A FLYING WINGER IN HIS PLAYING DAYS, IT IS LITTLE WONDER THAT HE IS A CHAMPION OF ATTACKING FOOTBALL, ALTHOUGH THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE CAN’T BE PRAGMATIC WHEN THE SITUATION REQUIRES IT. HE PLAYED AT GO AHEAD EAGLES, AMONG OTHERS, AND RETURNED TO MANAGE THE CLUB BEFORE MOVING TO A VARIETY OF DUTCH CLUBS, INCLUDING SPARTA ROTTERDAM, VITESSE, NAC BREDA AND AFC AJAX. HE ALSO COACHED IN HUNGARY WITH MTK BEFORE HIS STINTS AT FC BARCELONA (2003–2006) AND CHELSEA FC (2007–2008) AS ASSISTANT TO FRANK RIJKAARD AND AVRAM GRANT RESPECTIVELY. HIS PARTNERSHIP WITH FRANK DELIVERED THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY AND THE LIGA TITLE, WHILE HIS WORK WITH AVRAM TOOK HIM TO THE 2008 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL, WHICH MANCHESTER UNITED WON ON PENALTIES. THE FAR-TRAVELLED FOOTBALL MAN FROM AMSTERDAM JOINED GREEK SIDE PANATHINAIKOS AS HEAD COACH IN JULY 2008 AND HAS HIS SIGHTS SET ON THE DOMESTIC TITLE, NOT TO MENTION QUALIFICATION FOR EUROPE. HE IS AN ARTICULATE, PASSIONATE MAN, WITH A COMPELLING INTEREST IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT – HE IS… HENK TEN CATE 1 • You were a flying winger – did worked in a lot of countries and the level. FC Barcelona is a Catalan club that role as a player influence your coaching practices and drills are with big Dutch influences. Many coaches philosophy as a coach? much the same, but it’s what you from the Netherlands have had a ma- do with them that makes the differ- jor impact there, starting with Rinus Not specifically as a winger, but yes as ence. It also depends on the level – [Michels] and Johan [Cruyff]. Also, they an attacking player. Of course, I also it is more difficult to work at the top have a philosophy of football which come from Holland where the game is with all the egos, because they don’t is very close to our football. But Span- very offensive, and that philosophy is like to be stopped or corrected. ish players, in my opinion, have a therefore in my blood. The role of a for- better technical training than many ward in Holland or England is completely One of the keys to the success at others in western Europe. The basis different from those in Latin countries. Ajax was that most of the players of the team at Barça was therefore A lot of coaches make statements had come through the academy and home-produced, while a few top about their approach, but it is like build- they were all well educated before players were bought to add an extra ing a house: you need to start with the they reached the first team. I per- dimension where a gap existed. foundations and, in football, that means sonally like to work with young play- taking care of defensive organisation. ers, to develop their talent. 3 • You have played the role But, my background at a club like Go of assistant a few times, notably at Ahead Eagles developed a passion for 2 • You were very successful with FC Barcelona. What did the role an attacking game, for developing good Frank Rijkaard at FC Barcelona – of assistant entail and what are the players – it was the first Dutch club to how would you describe Barça’s keys to success in that position? have an academy and it was staffed by approach to the game? enthusiastic ex-players. We developed When I went to Barcelona with Frank, a typically Dutch style of positive pos- You can compare the Barça set-up we spoke about how we could work session play and, of course, promoted to the academies in Holland. It is together. I had only been an assistant the use of wingers. Playing in triangles the same approach, building up the once before I arrived at the Nou Camp. was at the core of our game. I have players step by step for the highest Frank was a friend of mine and this 4 The Technician N°44•E 14.10.2009 13:34 Page 5 HENK TEN CATE GATHERS HIS PANATHINAIKOS PLAYERS AROUND HIM DURING TRAINING BEFORE MEETING VILLARREAL IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.