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Jürgen Klinsmann Coaching Convention

Jürgen Klinsmann Coaching Convention

Editorial: Celebrating UEFA Competitions

Interview: Jürgen Klinsmann

Coaching Convention

UEFA Coaches Circle

Jozef Venglos – Tribute

Including

NEWSLETTER FOR COACHES N O .32 APRIL 2006 IMPRESSUM

EDITORIAL GROUP Graham Turner Frits Ahlstrøm

PRODUCTION André Vieli Dominique Maurer Atema Communication SA Printed by Cavin SA

COVER (13) of tussles with Dutch player Hedwiges Maduro. For Jürgen Klinsmann and , their respective coaches, it’s time to prepare for the World Cup this summer.

(PHOTO: HASSENSTEIN/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES)

THIERRY HENRY AND ARSÈNE WENGER’S ARSENAL FC HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE GROWING APPEAL OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. EMPICS

2 CELEBRATING UEFA COMPETITIONS

EDITORIAL stated recently: “All the magic moments for the promotion, protection and in the European Cup are part of our advancement of the game – players, BY ANDY ROXBURGH, rich heritage.” coaches, referees, clubs, administra- UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR tors and fans. The quality depends You cannot buy tradition and European on the depth. It is not enough to have football’s value is in its history. The a few elite teams dominating the European Football Championship for scene. We need variety and competi- national teams has produced a rich tive intensity. Just think of Valencia’s tapestry of unforgettable memories. sterling efforts in 2000 and 2001 – When Joe Venglos and Vaklav Jezek twice the UEFA Champions League plotted Czechoslovakia’s victory over bridesmaid, never the bride! Or ‘the Everything in football stems from in the 1976 final, they added’ value which Arsène Wenger its competitions. It is core business added a thick slice of romance to the and Arsenal have given to the UEFA because each competition provides championship. Denmark guided by Champions League without actually the vehicle for the status and funding Richard Møller-Nielsen in 1992 and winning it (so far). Yes, everything in of the clubs/national associations, moulded by football stems from its competitions. for the development and fame of the in 2004 added to the competition’s For the last 50 years, UEFA’s top club players, for the progress and reputation intrigue, fascination and legend by and national team championships of the coaches, and for the enjoyment producing unexpected winners. Marco have created a showcase for the best and commitment of the fans. UEFA’s van Basten’s right-foot volley which in European football, and it is vital two flagship competitions, the European gave the Netherlands their second and for the future health of the game on Championship for national teams and decisive in the 1988 final against our continent that we recognise, the European Champion Clubs’Cup/ the USSR, was pure art – a golden defend and develop UEFA’s flagship UEFA Champions League, have been moment in the annals of a precious competitions – the UEFA Champions ‘magic carpets’ which have turned competition. League and the European Cham- the dreams and aspirations of many pionship. They are, after all, our core into a reality. In a year when UEFA will We must not forget the effect that business and our priceless heritage. celebrate 50 years of its competitions UEFA’s club competitions have had (the first European Champion Clubs’ on the domestic leagues. Qualification Cup final was won by Real Madrid for Europe has become a primary in 1956 in Paris), we should reflect target for many clubs and because of for a moment on the responsibility the number of places available, particu- which everyone in football has for larly in the major leagues, interest in promoting, protecting and enhancing the domestic championships has been our competitions. enhanced and maintained. In each country, winning the league title has Since its inception, the European Cup always been the big prize, but the run- has been won by 21 clubs from ten ners-up who successfully gain a ticket countries and is unquestionably the into Europe also receive the promise greatest club competition in the world. of glamour, money and international It has set tactical trends and created glory. Remember, Liverpool FC won a benchmark for competition organisa- the 2005 European crown despite tion, marketing and branding. In 1971, the fact that they were not participating Dutch coaching guru as the champions of England – you gave us ‘’ with his free- don’t have to climb the Alps to be flowing Ajax side, while capable of reaching the summit of created the high-intensity pressing Everest, although the first experience game with AC Milan in the 1980s. Just might be advantageous. two examples of coaching methods emerging on a European and ultimately The strength of UEFA’s competitions world level via UEFA’s top club competi- is the strength of European football. tion, a competition which is authentic Everyone who contributes to the UEFA BONGARTS and now steeped in football folklore. As Champions League or the European A jubilant Otto Rehhagel after Greece’s victory the UEFA president, Lennart Johansson, Football Championship is responsible over Portugal in the EURO 2004 final.

3 INTERVIEW BY ANDY ROXBURGH, UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR UEFA/BOZZONI

TO SAY THAT JÜRGEN KLINSMANN WAS A GOOD PLAYER IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. JÜRGEN WAS EXTREMELY GIFTED, AND HIS PLAYING RECORD PROVES IT: FIFA WORLD CHAMPION (1990), EUROPEAN CHAMPION (1996), OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALLIST (1988), TWICE UEFA CUP CHAMPION (1991 WITH INTERNAZIONALE AND 1996 WITH BAYERN MÜNCHEN), GERMAN CHAMPION (1997 WITH BAYERN MÜNCHEN), 108 CAPS AND 47 GOALS FOR GERMANY. THERE IS MORE: FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR IN GERMANY (1988 AND 1994), FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR IN ENGLAND (1995), EUROPEAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP (1995), AND GOALS GALORE IN THE TOP LEAGUES OF GERMANY, ITALY, FRANCE AND ENGLAND. WHAT A PLAYER, WHAT AN IMAGE. INEVITABLY, JÜRGEN, THE GREAT COMMUNICATOR, WENT THROUGH THE METAMORPHOSIS FROM ELEGANT PLAYER TO HUNGRY COACH, NOT TO MENTION SHREWD BUSINESSMAN. AS THE LEADER OF THE GERMAN NATIONAL TEAM AT THE 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP, HE WILL TRY TO SATISFY THE ASPIRATIONS OF HIS COUNTRYMEN AND CAPTURE FOOTBALL’S ULTIMATE PRIZE. DESPITE THE HEAVY BURDEN, HE CARRIES HIS RESPONSIBILITIES WITH IMPRESSIVE DIGNITY, FOCUS AND STYLE. THE MAN IN THE SHARPLY DEFINED SPOTLIGHT IS… JÜRGEN KLINSMANN 1 • When you were a player, munication with the players; but alism of scouting, the analysis systems were you already thinking about once the game starts it becomes and the medical side, which continues a coaching career? mainly a game for players. From the to reach new levels of expertise. You No, not at all. As a player you focus technical area you can have an influ- are always looking for ways to make on giving your best for the team and try ence through tactical moves or sub- a difference. The new generation of to be the best you can be. In England, stitutions, but you really have to players have grown up in a different where they sometimes go for the player/ let go a little once the action starts. environment from my day. The work manager solution it was an option, As a player, you can take responsibil- has become more individual, whereas but this does not happen anywhere ity because you have the power to in my day everything was team-orien- else, and I never really thought about make things happen. As a coach, you tated. Now we have small groups or becoming a coach or manager. There have fewer possibilities to make an we work with individual players. It is are some players who already show impact once the game is in progress. a fascinating evolution and you try to the characteristics for becoming a coach do the best you can for every single when they are playing or training, but 3 • What has changed around player. Money, of course, has had I was not one of them. the national team since you were an effect – it is not easy for young a player? players to deal with large amounts 2 • For you, what are the biggest Things are always changing. For of money, but that has always been differences between coaching and example, the media attention now the case. It is clear that the education playing? is far greater than it was ten or 15 of players will become even more As a coach, you realise that your influ- years ago. The professional environ- important in the future. You need to ence on the game is minimal once the ment has changed and in many develop people, not just football action begins. The emphasis as a coach ways has improved. Different aspects players. You need to help the players is on the preparation, the tactics, com- have developed: like the profession- with their technical work to make

4 4 and theplayerswillbejudged. ments thatyourworkwillbe measured that itisinthegamesandtourna- recent years.Butwemustremember have becomemoresignificantin ogy science and psychol- Areas likesports pre-season trainingwiththeirteams. to makesuretheyarereadyforthe inpreparationprogrammes take part theathletes sport, case before.InUS own development,whichwasnotthe careers betterandwillinvestintheir their careers–theywillplan will becomemoreconsciousabout become strongerpersonalities.Players offer themassistancetohelp them betterplayersandyoumust and I discuss everything withthem. and Idiscusseverything I amateamplayer. Ihavea bigstaff I seemyselfastheleaderof ateam– style asamanager/coach? • How wouldyoudescribeyour ,Berti bothWorld Cup winners people likeFranz Beckenbauer and as aprofessionalplayer, Iworkedwith I wasverylucky. For almost 18 years as acoach? influences onyouasaplayer and 5 municating mydecisions. on apersonalbasiswhenIamcom- it isnotpleasant.Idealwitheveryone the difficultdecisionseventhough need tosaynopeople.Icanmake it willbedifficult,especiallywhenyou contracts. There willbetimeswhen an agentandInegotiatedmyown decisions asaplayer–Ididnothave able. Iwasusedtomakingmyown and thatmakesmefeelverycomfort- solution beforethedecisionismade ment. Sofarwehavealwayshada decisions ifwedonothaveanagree- Of course,Ihavetomakethefinal • Who havebeenthebiggest UEFA COMPETITION UEFA SHOWS OFF THE THE OFF SHOWS INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL IN THE COURSE COURSE THE IN AT TOTTENHAM 5 KLINSMANN KLINSMANN ROXBURGH. PRESENTED OF A LONG BY ANDY ANDY BY CAREER. MEDALS A SPELL JÜRGEN TO HIM HIM TO

EMPICS 6 players. particular see thepositiveresultsofhisworkwith thingsbutthenlaterIwould certain Monaco, Ioftenwonderedwhyhedid was veryimpressive–atthetimein Arsène Wenger developedplayers others gavemesomething.The way influential inmyearlyyears,butallthe training session.ArieHaanwasvery was extremelywellpreparedforevery Vogts wassuchadetailedworker–he all, hewasincrediblycharismatic.Berti and howhewasalwayspositive.Above bauer’s easywayofhandlingthings team, IwasimpressedbyFranz Becken- If Ithinkbacktomytimeinthenational result attheendofweek. more thanjustthinkingaboutthe and Ilearnedfromthemthatitismuch had. Eachcoachhadhisownstyle Ihave thankful fortheopportunities the personcomesfirst.Iamvery people andtoberespectfulbecause at Monaco,suchasthewaytohandle andwithArsèneWenger in Stuttgart, a lotfromArieHaanduringmytime up somethingfromthemall.Ilearned of high-profilecoaches.AndIpicked Arsène Wenger –anamazingnumber Ossie Ardiles,CésarLuísMenotti, with OttoRehhagel,GiovanniTrapattoni, and successfulcoaches.Ialsoworked my lackofcoaching experiencewas The mediawerecriticaland curious– mentalities Ifacedinmynew role. to learnfastunderstandthe various we standfor?What is ouridentity?Ihad the Germannationalteam? What will of footballwouldweliketoplay with took priority. For example:What type questions ronment Iwasfacing.Certain with theplayers’sideandalsoenvi- their roles.Ihadtolearnquicklydeal and whoareextremelycompetentin with together thatyoufeelcomfortable You ofpeople needtoputagroup Deciding whowasresponsibleforwhat. to buildthe‘teambehindteam’. the problemsIwasfacing.Then, how Firstly, toanalyse itwasimportant Germany’s nationalcoach? you havefacedsincebecoming • What arethemaindifficulties

UEFA/BOZZONI ONE OF THE DEFINING MOMENTS IN JÜRGEN KLINSMANN’S CAREER: WINNING THE WORLD CUP IN 1990.

confidence to perform. It is also impor- 9 • What do you think about the tant to keep the environment around UEFA Champions League? the team as relaxed as possible – this The UEFA Champions League sets is very important especially as we are the tone for football because you have playing a World Cup in our own country the best players in the world performing and the pressure, especially through in the competition and they put their the media, might get too high. I want all stamp on it. Top coaches are also there of us to feel relaxed but very focused. and they influence how the game is Our goal is to win the World Cup, and developed – they lead the trends we have declared that early so that the because they are working at it every players learn to deal with that expecta- day. If you look at the big teams there,

EMPICS/BUZZI tion. When top countries like England they are international teams put or Italy play a tournament in their own together from many different countries. a factor, as was the residence issue with country, people dream about winning it. The UEFA Champions League coaches/ my commitment to commute between In Germany, the expectations are there players definitely lead the way. the United States and Germany. and the players must handle that. Although the media would like to have 10 • How do you handle pressure you available 24/7, not being there 8 • In your view, which teams from the media? actually helps me to focus on our priori- will start out as favourites for the I have no problem with pressure – ties. I don’t get caught up in the day- 2006 World Cup in Germany? everybody talks about it, but it is not to-day domestic issues. The Confedera- Any surprises? a physical thing and therefore does not tions Cup helped us a lot – it was a Based on our experience of the Con- create a problem for me. As a player, big step. The people saw that we were federations Cup, we see that Brazil and the higher the expectations, the more doing a good job and working very Argentina are ahead in terms of quality I liked it; the bigger the game, the more hard, and it has developed from there. and how to deal with certain moments I liked it. Maybe that is why I always in the game. Other big teams like pushed myself in big tournaments. 7 • What are your priorities England, France and Italy are strong and In every tournament, I was right there, when preparing the German capable of making a difference. We at the right time, because I felt those national team? believe that could be a surprise special moments had to be grabbed. My priority is to get the team behind because Oleg Blokhin has developed Even as a national coach, I accept the the team working together to produce them very well over recent years. challenge and the responsibility. Being the right chemistry in the squad. Pre-tournament, it looks like Brazil and in control, you can set the limits and To make sure that the fitness is right Argentina are up to the challenge, but decide how much you do yourself, and that our young players have the we will see. for example with the media. It is not easy for the media today – their focus is on selling and not just information. We have to find our way to deal with it – for sure, we will not change it. But, as I said, I have no trouble dealing with the pressure – I am used to it.

11 • Tactically, what do you expect the trends to be during the World Cup? As with the UEFA Champions League, the World Cup will emphasise compact play, less and less space, team effi- ciency. Even with teams well prepared, including physically, it will often be down to the mental aspect and who can make a difference. A set-play, a counter, an individual effort can be

HASSENSTEIN/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES HASSENSTEIN/BONGARTS/GETTY decisive. The transition becomes more Jürgen Klinsmann gives instructions to his players. and more important. Reaction speed

6 JÜRGEN KLINSMANN WITH ANOTHER

FOOTBALLING P/GETTY IMAGES

LEGEND, PELÉ. FIFE/AF

to put people under pressure, to be very physical, to be very dynamic and attack-orientated. We defined our style in discussions with the team. The key players, that is the leaders in the team, have a big influence on how we play, especially with so many youngsters in the squad. In my day, we were more PREVIOUSLY IT playful, probably because we learned to play in the streets. Today’s young WAS THE GERMAN players are more focused – they are NATIONAL TEAM planners. They are more calculating in STRIP, NOW IT’S THE their attitude towards their performance NATIONAL COACH’S and careers than we were. TRACKSUIT. 15 • What has been your best moment in football so far? EMPICS There are so many personal memories that you carry around with you. A special moment for me was in 1994 when we played in South Africa. As the captain of Germany, I introduced my team-mates to Nelson Mandela and this is something that I will never forget. It is all those moments that prove that football is

KÖPSEL/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES KÖPSEL/BONGARTS/GETTY about so much more than just a result. It goes so deep into the social and GETTY IMAGES GETTY I feel that certain things are better educational aspects of life. It helped me relayed by a third party, then I do it to develop as a young person. I learned that way. languages, created a worldwide network

ROSE/BONGARTS/ of contacts – I would never have met 13 • How do you deal with the my wife and lived in another continent Still fit enough to take part in training. stress of the job? if it had not been for football. I would I am a workout fanatic. I train for an never have had any of that without the is vital – players must be alert and in hour and a half every day and I play for game. Jürgen the player is now in the peak physical condition. Even in train- a local amateur team. I swim, cycle, archives – it is my role as a coach which ing, this awareness must be developed. run, etc. I even went running in Mon- now takes centre stage. treux on the morning of the EURO 12 • To what extent do you believe 2008 draw in January. If you come up in using technology, psychologists, with a veterans’ World Cup, I could and fitness specialists as aids for maybe make a comeback as a player! your team’s preparation? I think we will go in this direction more 14 • You were a great striker – and more because it is not possible to what extent has that background for a coach to be an expert in all these influenced your philosophy as areas. You need to have a big staff who a coach? filter information and pass it down to It definitely has had an influence on you. You learn a lot from these experts my coaching philosophy because I am – I profit a great deal from their input. definitely more attack-minded than In the past, the coach did everything – I might have been. To make sure I was now you manage a big staff and a not on the wrong track, I asked the team. You could say that you are the national team coaching staff and the manager of two teams. I try to commu- players if they agreed with my view. MARIT/AFP/GETTY IMAGES nicate with the players directly, but if They accepted that it is our mentality Jürgen coping with pressure from the media.

7 GETTY IMAGES GETTY RAFAEL BENITEZ. A LICENCE TO COACH UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNERS RAFAEL BENÍTEZ OF LIVERPOOL AND OF JUVENTUS ARE GOOD EXAMPLES OF COACHES WHO HAVE REACHED THE TOP OF THE COACHING PROFESSION THROUGH YEARS OF TRAINING, STUDY, COACHING PRACTICE AND WORK EXPERIENCE. BOTH HAVE A UEFA PROFESSIONAL LICENCE, THE RESULT OF THEIR INTENSIVE EDUCATION IN SPAIN AND ITALY RESPECTIVELY.

Of course, having a licence does not was chairman of UEFA’s Committee concept and the criteria for a three- guarantee that someone will become for Technical Development. Although level educational system – B, A and a success at the top level of football. Dr Jira died in 1993, his name was Professional – were introduced. The Just because you have a driving given to the commission (later called ball was rolling and, in January 1998, licence does not mean that you will a panel) which had the job of imple- the first six associations (Denmark, become , but menting the project. Following three France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands it does provide an assurance that you years of research and discussion, the and Spain) signed the UEFA coaching have reached a minimum standard inaugural meeting of the Jira Commis- convention. By the end of 2005, and that you can be put in charge of sion was held in Paris in March 1995, 48 associations had UEFA-sanctioned a car. Those responsible for managing and three months later the first UEFA programmes – 28 of them with and coaching football teams should Coach Education Directors Conference professional licence approval. Today, also prove their basic capacity to do took place in Nyon. The convention approximately 150,000 coaches the job before they are allowed to take control of football’s greatest asset – its players. Good coaches create tal- ented players and successful teams, and UEFA is committed to assisting the national associations with their training programmes. The European coaching licence (UEFA Convention on the Mutual Recognition of Coaching Qualifications, to give the programme its official title) has given the associa- tions the stimulus, the criteria and the support to raise the benchmark in the field of coach education.

The idea of a European coaching licence was born in New York in 1991 at a UEFA Executive Committee

meeting. A working group was formed UEFA under the leadership of Dr Václav Jira The president of the French Football Federation Jean-Pierre Escalettes of Czechoslovakia who, at the time, and UEFA CEO Lars-Christer Olsson sign the convention.

8 FABIO CAPELLO. SERINELLI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

throughout Europe have a UEFA- endorsed coaching licence.

Why did we do it? Firstly, the aim was to keep football’s development in the hands of football people. We did not want other agencies taking over this crucial area of the game. In addition, our aim was to facilitate and control the cross-border movement of quali- fied coaches; raise standards through- out Europe, create greater cooperation between European technicians, estab- lish football as a regulated profes- sion, offer greater opportunities for further education, protect players from unskilled ‘coaches’, overcome insular attitudes, and improve the position and recognition of European coaches.

Many of these targets have been BAUMANN/BOZZANI achieved, but more has to be done The Jira Panel is the driving force behind the UEFA coaching convention. to further improve the general quality of coach education throughout sarily best practice, and improvements coach education programmes and Europe, and especially to achieve a must constantly be sought. compulsory licences in the top profes- professional status (with appropriate sional leagues have become the regulations, conditions and protection) When associations compete, they norm, and the UEFA coaching conven- for those who make their living as a remain independent – when they tion and the UEFA club licence have football coach. develop their coach education pro- aided this positive evolution. grammes, they become interdepend- The next step will be to close the ent. We have seen this in the devel- Having a licence to coach is one circle – to have all 52 associations as opment of the European coaching thing – emulating Rafael Benítez and members of the convention, at least licence. It has been a cooperative Fabio Capello is another. Their at B level. The Jira Panel is working venture, with many top technicians formal training certainly gave them a on a project to add a specialised youth from all over Europe investing their solid start, pointed them in the right licence to the UEFA structure, while time, energy and knowledge in UEFA’s direction, and helped them to define other areas, such as futsal, fitness coaching programme. their coaching style and philosophy. training and goalkeeping are being They added the rest. Thus, the examined. A renewal policy, which If you have been a great player, do you aim of the UEFA coaching convention requires associations to have their really need to be trained as a coach? is to create a coach education coach education programme reass- High-level playing experience does not environment throughout Europe, essed every three years, has been necessarily equate with coaching acu- where those with talent can flourish, introduced and will be fully imple- men – a big career as a player can become self-reliant and be free to mented in the next few years – the be an advantage and can open doors, live their coaching dreams. Some, credibility of the convention depends but it does not automatically lead to like Rafael Benítez and Fabio Capello, on this requirement. Furthermore, coaching success. Of course, there will will even become the champions the convention regulations and criteria always be exceptions to the rule (i.e. of Europe. will continue to be examined and the natural), but a system of education modifications made where appropri- cannot be based on a few exceptional ANDY ROXBURGH ate. Coaching coaches is a dynamic talents. Progress is based on design UEFA Technical Director process – past practice is not neces- and not on chance. Well-organised and Chairman of the Jira Panel

9 A FEW OF THE PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE TO THE MEMBERS

UEFA OF THE COACHES CIRCLE. THE UEFA COACHES CIRCLE REGULAR READERS OF THE TECHNICIAN WILL BE NO STRANGERS TO THE COACHING CONVENTION. BUT, IN RECENT MONTHS, WE’VE BEEN ASKED TO CLARIFY HOW THE COACHES CIRCLE FITS INTO THE PICTURE. HERE GOES:

UEFA operates two major programmes UEFA criteria are recognised at well as technical reports, coaching to support coach education in the Basic (B), Advanced (A) and Pro videos, training materials, research Europe: the UEFA Coaching Convention (Professional) levels. data and technical material, all of (training coaches) and, the UEFA which is published on www..com. Coaches Circle (serving coaches). At the same time, UEFA organises a wide range of specialised events for In order to enhance the service pro- The UEFA Coaching Convention is an coaches working with national teams, vided, a framework with a distinct endorsement programme concerned elite club teams, player development, European identity has been created. with the training of coaches. To date, coach education and grassroots football. This framework, the UEFA Coaches 48 of the 52 member associations In addition, UEFA has built up an infor- Circle, is designed to meet the needs have had their coach education certifi- mation service that includes publica- of qualified, practising coaches work- cation programmes approved by UEFA tions such as The Technician, The ing with national associations or top at least at B level. Courses of instruc- Women’s Technician, The Grassroots professional clubs. Sir tion and qualifications that meet the Newsletter, The Futsal Technician as of Manchester United is the inaugural honorary leader of the Circle.

The Coaches Circle, including UEFA’s technical events, supports the work of associations and clubs by providing an ongoing information flow for coaches with the aim of giving them a chance to keep abreast of trends and to make use of an extensive ‘reference library’, as well as main- taining contact with each other.

As part of the UEFA coaching pro- gramme, the Coaches Circle members have access to a password-protected UEFA Coaches Circle extranet.

The advantages of an extranet are that it provides a simple one-stop paperless reference for the time- challenged coach. The extranet has immensely more capacity than a

PA/EMPICS paper archive: it can be accessed any Rafael Benitez surrounded by his Liverpool players. time and anywhere the coach has

10 SIR ALEX FERGUSON, INAUGURAL LEADER OF THE :

CIRCLE, WITH THE INTERVIEWED FOR THE GENE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES 2006 ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP. TECHNICIAN.

● The digital archive of back numbers of The Technician, The Women’s Technician, Medicine Matters and the Grassroots Newsletter in the languages in which they were origi- nally printed. ● Digital copies of previous technical reports on the UEFA Champions League, European Championships and European Futsal Championships. ● Syllabuses and recommended reading from over 40 European national associations.

In January, the first audio and video files were made available and these now include:

● Video interviews, for example, with Rafael Benítez and Frank Rijkaard. ● Video skills features. ● A video review of successful tactics, for example, wide free-kicks in the attacking third. ● Keynote lectures with accompanying PowerPoint slides from Per Ravn Omdal, UEFA vice-president, on grass- roots development in Norway, and Packie Bonner, Technical Director of the Football Association of Ireland, on the FAI’s Technical Development Plan.

The extranet also provides a com- prehensive directory of member tele-

PA/EMPICS phone and email contacts as well as an informative calendar of events. Internet access. In addition, it pro- The services on offer include vides material in all media with text, the following: The majority of the written text is pro- graphics, audio and video files already vided in English, but where material available. Unlike paper-based files ● Case studies of young player devel- has already been translated by UEFA and reference shelves, the online opment, for example, at AFC Ajax, into the other UEFA languages these archives are easier to access and it FC Bayern München, Real Madrid are also provided. All members of the is impossible to lose or mislay CF and Tottenham Hotspur FC. Coaches Circle who have signed up documents! ● The outline of the German national for the extranet receive a monthly association’s 50 professional e-newsletter from UEFA’s Technical The rich content is designed to coaching diploma courses. Director, Andy Roxburgh, informing be used by coaches and can also ● Over 20 animated Tactfoot training them about the current status and easily be printed off or displayed for practices (with many more to updated features to be found on the coaches and players. So far, over follow). extranet. “Coaches need to be aware 200 members of the Coaches Circle ● Research reports, including a survey of the range and depth of material working in European national asso- of the top 200 youth academies available, which is growing monthly,” ciations and clubs have accepted in Europe. he says. “Even if technicians use the the invitation and have signed up to ● Sports science features provided by service only once a month, I am use this coaching tool. Liverpool’s John Moores University. absolutely sure they will find it useful.”

11 LARS LAGERBÄCK, ONE OF THE TECHNICIANS INVITED TO THE DIALOGUE

UEFA WITH THE REFEREES. SEARCHING FOR UTOPIA CYNICAL VOICES MIGHT MAINTAIN THAT GETTING COACHES AND REFEREES ONTO THE SAME WAVELENGTH IS TANTAMOUNT TO SEARCHING FOR UTOPIA. BUT THIS IS ONE UTOPIA THAT UEFA IS DETERMINED TO KEEP SEARCHING FOR – AND THAT IS WHY A GROUP OF TECHNICIANS ATTENDED THE UEFA ADVANCED COURSE FOR ELITE AND PREMIER REFEREES STAGED IN BARCELONA.

It was heartening to read, in the fore- a central position, failure to react with Transition word to the event programme, that an immediately flagged offside decision The technicians stressed that the “representatives of UEFA’s Technical can create confusion on the field, in moments following the switch of ball Group have now attended the last two the technical area and among specta- possession from one team to the other UEFA referee courses and the under- tors. Within the current parameters, are key components within the structure standing between technicians and there is no easy solution. But the of the modern game. Situations where referees is visibly improving”. The pres- referees took note of the technicians’ the team winning the ball tries to counter- ence of , Lars Lagerbäck, conviction that players should not be attack quickly and effectively while the György Mezey, Holger Osieck, Andy allowed to take unfair advantage of team losing possession aims immedi- Roxburgh and Frank Rijkaard’s right- offside positions or, worse still, that ately to break up that counter-attack hand man at FC Barcelona, Henk ten match strategy can easily become more generate a series of challenges for the Cate, represented another step in the conservative if defensive formations referee and his assistants. For them, right direction – and the ‘right direction’ have to contend with opponents who fast transitions demand equally rapid leads towards understanding, mutual deliberately place forwards in offside responses in terms of keeping abreast respect and common interpretation of positions and channel play to them of play in order to judge situations and the game and its laws. through other areas of the pitch. punishments as efficiently as possible.

It could be argued that the contact between officials and technicians was just as valuable as the discussions on technical topics. But the debate focused on some vital areas, such as:

Offside Inevitably, the current offside interpreta- tion was a bone of contention. There was a nod of approval for the decision to draw a line under the guidelines tested at last year’s Confederations Cup, but the desire to experiment was inter- preted by many as a symptom that coaches and match officials are still not completely at ease with the current formula. The technicians accepted the thinking behind the ‘wait and see’ approach now adopted by assistants before raising the offside flag but felt EMPICS that, where there is a clear offside in One versus one situations in the penalty box are key moments for the referee.

12 EMPICS

This means getting into a position to spot problems in and around the box or to assess one versus one situations involving the goalkeeper – which are incidents that in terms of penalties or red cards are potential match-deciders. However, the technicians underlined the need for referees to detect and punish the more surreptitious elements during the decisive moments of transi- tion. Pressing systems need to be understood by the match officials and the persistent use of ‘innocuous’ fouls or block-offs in order to break up counter-attacks should not be allowed to go unpunished.

Simulation Elsewhere in the course, the referees had, once again, broached the subject EMPICS of simulation. This is normally associ- Shirt-pulling isn’t always as obvious as this! ated with players going down in the box and claiming a penalty. But, during the hands and elbows as one of the major see it, he can’t sanction it. And, amid dialogue between match officials and challenges facing them in the modern the human jungles that spring up in the technicians, one of the items discussed game. More and more, players seem penalty area at set plays, being focused was how to detect and deal with situa- to define the word ‘legal’ as ‘everything on the correct pair of players for the tions where a player feigns injury after that is allowed by the referee’. critical 0.3 seconds is more a matter being dispossessed in order to pre- of luck than judgement. Or is it? The empt an opposition counter-attack. The video evidence was fascinating – match officials – and it will be interest- This is evidently not an issue when the and disturbing. Imagine, for example, ing to hear whether the current experi- referee adjudges the ball-winning tackle that your team is awarded a free-kick mentation with radio communication to have been unfair and stops play to in a wide position in the attacking helps out – are aware that positioning award a free-kick. But it does become third, not far from the assistant referee. and teamwork are the key elements an issue when a player who has been Your big central defender joins the when it comes to detecting and punish- fairly dispossessed feigns a serious pack of players in the penalty area and, ing the illegal use of hands and elbows injury convincingly enough to persuade suddenly, you see him on the floor. at set-plays and, very often, the com- the opposition to kick the ball into Instinctively, you know what’s happened pulsory positioning of assistant referees touch in order to allow him or her to – and you might even feel the urge to at corner-kicks means that they can’t receive treatment. Insult is often added tell the fourth official what has hap- always be as helpful as they would like. to ‘injury’ when the dispossessed pened. But you saw nothing. All you team responds to the ‘fair play’ gesture are doing is putting two and two But holding, blocking and shirt-tugging by returning the ball deep into their together and making four – or, rather, are by no means exclusive to situations opponent’s half and out of play. Then making four and assuming it’s two in a packed penalty box. After their they press. The coaches reckoned plus two. In this case, it is. One of the discussions in Barcelona, the referees that this constitutes a classic example camera angles shows a defender, agreed that there is a need to clamp of unsporting behaviour – and this an without so much as a blink or a change down on the illicit use of hands. But issue which must be addressed. of expression, driving a backward they also agreed that announcing a blow with his elbow. The movement ‘zero tolerance’ attitude in mid-season Holding, pushing, elbowing… can be timed at 0.3 seconds. is hardly appropriate. Their feeling What can be done about was that if a stricter policy on the underhand behaviour? For the match officials, the challenge illegal use of hands was introduced, This was not only a talking point during here is not to find the correct punish- it could best be implemented at final conversations between technicians and ment. It is patently and blatantly a red tournaments or at the beginning referees in Barcelona but also the sub- card offence. The challenge is detection, of a season, when the participating ject of an entire session during which as the referee cannot base his decisions teams can be given advance warning. the match officials rated the illicit use of on two plus two thinking. If he doesn’t Another topic for further discussion!

13 JOE VENGLOS IS ALSO A MEMBER OF UEFA’S TECHNICAL

EMPICS STUDY GROUPS. PHOTO NEWS PHOTO

What’s in a name? When the name is Venglos, it stands for something.

V stands for value. Everywhere Joe has worked, he has always given outstanding value. For example, with the Czechoslova- JOE kian national team (European Champions in 1976) and with top European clubs like Glasgow Celtic, Aston Villa, Benfica and VENGLOS Fenerbahçe. JOE VENGLOS (VICE-CHAIRMAN AND FORMER CHAIRMAN E stands for enthusiasm. Joe is a great enthusiast and OF UEFA’S COMMITTEE FOR TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT ) his passion for the game remains IS 70 YEARS OLD. ANDY ROXBURGH, UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, undiminished. PAYS TRIBUTE TO SLOVAKIA’S COACH OF THE 20TH CENTURY. N stands for a ‘never say die’ attitude. Throughout his long career, Joe has shown great com- mitment, dedication and courage. He never gave up on a cause. G stands for gentlemen. Joe has proved that you can be a highly competitive coach, yet show respect for those around you. L stands for loyalty. The former Slovan captain and first head coach of the Slovakian national team has always been loyal to his profession, his coaching colleagues, and to the game itself. O stands for ‘Old Head’. In an age when the word expert is often misused, Joe, president of the European Union of Coaches, is the genuine article – wise and knowledgeable about the art and the science of the game. S stands for sincerity. Joe is a very sincere man – open, honest and wholehearted. Without doubt, the name Joe Venglos stands for something in top-level football. I salute Joe Venglos the professional coach, but more so, I salute Joe Venglos the man. Joe, on behalf of your UFEA coaching colleagues, I wish you a happy 70th birthday, and many more years of contributing to European football.

EMPICS A.R.

14 ONE OF THE WORLD CUP VENUES: THE ALLIANZ ARENA

IN . PA/EMPICS

TRAINING AGENDA 2006 MY FAVOURITE April 26-30 Futsal Cup Final: 1st leg

PRACTICE UEFA May 1-5 1st UEFA Regional Grassroots Technical Skills, Zonal Support and Workshop (Oslo) Crossing from the Wing May 3-7 Futsal Cup Final: 2nd leg BY MARIANO MORENO Coach Education Director, Spanish FA – UEFA Jira Panel Member May 3-14 European Under-17 Championship at least two or three passes before (Luxembourg) seeking out a team-mate on the wing. The wide player is limited to two May 9 touches. Jira Panel (Eindhoven) ● The two players in each wing section (one from each team) should shadow May 10 each other but not offer any serious opposition so that the attacking move UEFA Cup Final (Eindhoven) is not obstructed. ● When a team wins or recovers the ball May 17 it carries out the same technical and tac- Technical Development Committee tical procedures for attack and defence. (Paris)

Development May 17 Aim ● Players in the central zone cannot enter UEFA Champions League Final ● To encourage players’ creativity, improve the wing sections. They can assist by (Paris) skills and vary passing distances. playing one-twos and receive the ball ● To encourage the player with the ball to to shoot at goal, but can only enter the May 20 pass to team-mates on either wing. The wing section when the coach changes Women’s Cup Final: 1st leg wide players drive forward and cross the the players’ roles. (Potsdam) ball to create a goalscoring opportunity. ● As the training is quite intensive for the wide players (they have to defend Numbers as well as attack), the coach should May 23-June 4 ● Two teams of 8 v 8 (including goal- change these players regularly. European Under-21 Championship keepers). ● The practice should be similar to a real (Portugal) ● One goalkeeper, two defenders, two game: it continues at a normal pace , one striker and one player and the emphasis is on scoring goals. May 27 in each wing section, all attacking and Women’s Cup Final: 2nd leg defending zonally. Key coaching points () ● Players on the ball try to keep posses- Area sion; if in difficulty they should pass June 9-July 9 ● Reduced pitch (length equal to width, to their wide players. 2006 FIFA World Cup (Germany) approx. 68 x 68 m). ● Players in the central zone should time their attacking runs to meet the Rules crosses from the wide players. July 11-22 ● A defender receives the ball from ● Each team should maintain a balance European Women’s Under-19 the goalkeeper. On the first touch, an between attack and defence; if they lose Championship (Switzerland) opponent may put pressure on the the ball they have to defend effectively. player in possession. The opposition ● Communication and support should July 18-29 should build up pressure gradually. be encouraged. European Under-19 Championship ● Players in the central zone should support ● The players should be swift and effec- by shaking off their markers and try to tive in controlling the ball, passing, cross- (Poland) gain possession of the ball, then make ing and shooting.

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