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Editorial: The case for the defence Including Interview: Sir Alex Ferguson Mañana Tactics for the future Autumn leaves NEWSLETTER FOR COACHES N O .34 OCTOBER 2006 IMPRESSUM EDITORIAL GROUP Andy Roxburgh Graham Turner Frits Ahlstrøm PRODUCTION André Vieli Dominique Maurer Atema Communication SA Printed by Cavin SA COVER Having already won the UEFA Champions League with Juventus, Marcello Lippi pulled off a unique double in winning the World Cup with Italy this summer. (PHOTO: ANDERSEN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES) FABIO CANNAVARO UP AGAINST THIERRY HENRY IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL. THE ITALIAN DEFENDER WAS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE COMPETITION. BARON/BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES BARON/BONGARTS/GETTY 2 THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE EDITORIAL the French and, in the latter stages, FC Barcelona’s centre back Carles the Italians. On the other hand, the Puyol proved that star quality is not BY ANDY ROXBURGH, UEFA Champions League finalists the preserve of the glamour boys UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR (plus seven other top teams) favoured who play up front. Top defenders and the deployment of one ‘vacuum their defensive team-mates proved cleaner’, as the late, great Rinus that good defensive play is a prerequi- Michels described the role. Interest- site to team success in top-level ingly, many of these deep-lying mid- competitions. Italy won the FIFA World Cup 2006 field players have become the initia- with a masterly display in the art of tors of the build-up play, such as The dynamics of football mean that defending. Two goals against, one Italy’s Andrea Pirlo. the game is always in flux. When the a penalty and one an own goal, was defending qualities improve, attacking the sum total of their concessions A side’s basic shape is ‘necessary for solutions are pursued and devel- and tangible evidence of their ability team order’ according to Sir Alex Fer- oped, and vice-versa. We, in the to thwart the opponent. They were, guson of Manchester United. But, the coaching profession, can acknowledge it should be noted, also very good same system can operate differently and appreciate the improvements going forward. Even the finalists of depending on the philosophy and in defensive play while simultaneous the UEFA Champions League proved the style employed, and the special accepting the challenge to find the to be miserly in giving anything away. characteristics of the team. During antidote. Counter-attacks, set plays Arsenal, the runners-up, went ten the last season, however, one com- and solo actions have become crucial matches in a row without conceding mon feature was to defend a goal (a record); while champions deep and in a compact FC Barcelona, with their flamboyant defensive block. The uncer- style, scored 24 times with only five tainty created by the inter- goals in reply. Indeed, the season pretation of the offside law is 2005/06 produced the lowest goals one of the reasons for this. average in over a decade of UEFA Villarreal, the small Spanish Champions League football. As Rafa club that reached the last Benítez said after the club final in four of the UEFA Champions Paris: “There has been a big improve- League, were an extreme ment in defending in top-level foot- example of this approach. ball.” Fortunately, the lack of scoring During the competition, quantity was offset by the extremely coach Manuel Pellegrini said: high quality. “We defend deeper than most sides, and though it From a structural perspective, the creates more work for our JORDAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES trends were clear. The top 16 teams midfield players, it does Manuel Pellegrini, advocate of a tight that participated in the 2005/06 reduce the space behind our defence with Villarreal. UEFA Champions League operated defenders.” And Lyon’s Gérard Houllier with a zonal back four, as did 14 of summed up the attitude to defend- in breaking down sophisticated packed the sides that reached the World Cup ing when he said: “The trend is to defences. But significantly, the game knock-out phase. In addition, all of bring the opponents into the defen- is moving more towards the assets of the aforementioned teams sive block and then to aggressively speed and skill, and this augurs well selected at least one press the ball.” for the future. Balance is the key word. midfield holding It applies to team organisation, to player, or screen, Some of the outstanding players defending and attacking, and to great in order to protect last season were goalkeepers and competitions. As Marcello Lippi said their back line. defenders. Italy’s No. 1, Gianluigi at UEFA’s recent Elite Club Coaches In the World Cup, Buffon and centre back Fabio Can- Forum: “Balance is number one.” So nine of the leading navaro were two of the best players is Marcello, Italy’s World Champion – teams used a two- at the World Cup in Germany, and a master coach in training the arts of man barrier, including Arsenal’s keeper Jens Lehmann and attack and defence. 3 INTERVIEW BY ANDY ROXBURGH, UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR EMPICS PA/EMPICS SIR ALEX FERGUSON OF MANCHESTER UNITED IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT COACHES. IN A COACHING CAREER SPANNING OVER THREE DECADES, HE HAS WON THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1999 WITH MANCHESTER UNITED FC), THE EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP TWICE (1983 WITH ABERDEEN FC AND 1991 WITH MANCHESTER UNITED FC), THE UEFA SUPER CUP (1983 AND 1991), AND THE EUROPEAN/SOUTH AMERICAN CUP (1999). ALEX WAS ALSO NAMED THE UEFA COACH OF THE YEAR IN 1999. DOMESTICALLY, HE HAS ACCUMULATED THREE SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS, FOUR SCOTTISH CUPS AND ONE SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP, EIGHT ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TITLES, FIVE ENGLISH CUPS AND TWO ENGLISH LEAGUE CUPS. HE MANAGED THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL TEAM AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP IN MEXICO (1986) AND IS THE LONGEST-SERVING HEAD COACH IN THE ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP, HAVING BEEN THE BOSS AT MANCHESTER UNITED FC SINCE 1986. IN ADDITION, ALEX, WHO WAS KNIGHTED FOR HIS SERVICES TO FOOTBALL IN THE UK, IS A REGULAR, VALUED MEMBER OF UEFA’S TECHNICAL GROUPS AND ELITE CLUB COACHES FORUM. CURRENTLY, HE HOLDS THE POSITION OF HONORARY LEADER OF THE UEFA COACHES CIRCLE, A UEFA PROJECT WHICH PROVIDES A TECHNICAL SERVICE FOR PRACTISING COACHES. IT IS THIS GROUP THAT SIR ALEX ADDRESSES IN THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW. SIR ALEX FERGUSON 1 • What are the main qualities Monday morning after a defeat unusual at the time. So you put this required by a coach at the top level? and you lack this quality of persever- imagination into a player’s mind, and I have thought about that a lot, and ance, then it will show and that will he can then take it to another level, there are a number of things. As I affect the players. So on Monday because he realises that you both progressed as a coach, I learned that morning, you have the ‘fire in the want to try things. You create a chain observation was vital. To coach and belly’, you are ready. The passion has reaction which produces thinking watch at the same time is difficult. to come out. players, and this is a wonderful thing If you are involved too much in the I also think that a top coach needs to develop. coaching, you miss many things. an imagination. When people ask It is also important to have simple I started to delegate more things to my you what was your best ever goal as communication. You see those train- assistant and to stand back sometimes. a coach, you want to identify a per- ing sessions where the coach is Observation is definitely an important fect goal that you influenced. It is talking all the time and the mes- issue in order to make sure that the about your imagination, inculcated sage is lost – the words get lost in quality is high and that you get out of into a training session, and which the the wind. Keep it simple, be brief, a training session what you want. players take on board. They then do but be decisive. Make it perfectly Next, I think you need perseverance it by habit. I remember as a young clear what you are after in a because coaching at the top today is coach teaching take-overs in impor- session. Remember when we not an easy job. If you come in on a tant areas of the pitch which was were players – we were stand- 4 SIR ALEX AND ROY KEANE. IMAGES GETTY ing there and we wanted to get on their team but travelling all over the with it and the coach was rambling place to watch players or opponents. on. Talking too much is a big danger When you go into this game you have for a coach. to work extremely hard – you and your family have to sacrifice. You 2 • How did you develop need a natural work ethic. The really as a coach? good coach is the one who is happy Well, I was an apprentice tool-maker, to work, and believe me, it is not easy and then at 22 years of age I got the to work hard in coaching for your chance to become a full-time player. whole life. The drive, the hunger, the I decided to take the gamble, but I passion must be inside you, because was determined not to fail, so I players need to recognise that you wanted to learn everything about the care. And, of course, the aim is to get game. I started going to the Scottish the players to care along with you.

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