Media Release Date: 30/08/2005 Communiqué aux médias No. 099 Medien-Mitteilung

Top European club coaches to meet at UEFA

House of European Football hosts Elite Coaches Forum, Thursday 1 & Friday 2 September

The House of European Football, in Nyon, Switzerland, will once again be the venue for the annual UEFA Elite Coaches Forum on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 September, led by UEFA Technical Director, Andy Roxburgh.

A number of Europe’s leading coaches have been invited and among those who have confirmed are: Rafael Benítez, , Sir , Arsène Wenger, José Mourinho, Gérard Houllier, Felix Magath, Roberto Mancini, and 2004/05 UEFA Cup winner, Valeriy Gazzaev.

Members of the media wishing to attend the post-forum press briefing, scheduled for 12:30 CET on Friday 2 September, and the opportunity for interviews with the participants (although none of the coaches invited are obliged to conduct interviews and therefore UEFA cannot guarantee that such requests will be met), must inform UEFA in writing by e-mail to accreditations@.ch by Wednesday 31 August 17:00 CET, stating name, outlet and contact details.

UEFA Technical Director, Andy Roxburgh, said of the annual gathering:

“Today, the UEFA Champions League truly represents the best in club football and that includes the coaches. Therefore this is an opportunity to spend time with Europe’s leading coaches, in order to discuss football trends and to listen to their views and concerns on the major issues affecting our top club football.”

The meeting in Switzerland of the elite coaches will include discussions about tactical trends, media demands at UEFA Champions League matches and important principles of coaching. The coaches will also have the opportunity to express their opinions on a number of key issues that affect Europe’s leading club competition.

Note to Editors:

The first UEFA Elite Coaches Forum was held in 1999 and this is now the 7th year of this annual event, where Europe’s leading club coaches are invited to share their experience and views on a variety of issues relating to the state of the game at the highest level.

For further information: UEFA Media Services: +41-22 99 44 559