AFP EMPICS EMPICS THE TECHNICIAN Editorial: Street Life Designing of the Youth Coach From Player to Coach Interview: Zico The Golden Age of Coaching NEWSLETTER FOR COACHES • NO . 20 • MARCH 2003 “You are never too old to have a happy childhood.” Japanese saying BONGARTS EMPICS Ronaldo, a “toe poke” to beat Turkey. COVER G Michael Owen: from football in the street to the toèp with Liverpool FC. (EMPICS) Photos from left to right: G Zico. G Street football. G Sir Bobby Robson and Ronaldo with the Cup Winners’ Cup they won with FC Barcelona in 1997. IMPRESSUM PRODUCTION André Vieli Atema Communication SA Printed by Cavin SA EDITORIAL GROUP Andy Roxburgh Graham Turner Frits Ahlstrøm Wayne Rooney, who gained his first senior cap against Australia, still plays football in the street. EMPICS 2 Street Life EDITORIAL vation) had no immediate signifi- of the heart and soul of the game. cance for the fierce young dreamers Coaches who have a street men- BY ANDY ROXBURGH, who were dedicated to the ball tality, who appreciate the value of UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR and lost in the romance of the game. free play, self expression, and UEFA, through its Grassroots passion, will never allow the game Programme, is committed to support- to become sterile and mechanical. ing the associations and the clubs The Japanese have a saying: “You It was lunchtime in Turin, and while with their community schemes and are never too old to have a happy others around the table spoke player development programmes. childhood.” For the youth coach, about the UEFA Champions League Football leaders are acutely aware this translates into a simple mes- match which would take place that that the loss of the street environ- sage: stay young at heart – it is evening in the Stadio Delle Alpi ment, particularly in industrial regions, a sentiment which Roberto Bettega between Juventus and Manchester has provoked a greater need for would fully endorse. United, Roberto Bettega, Juve’s Vice training facilities, free-play areas, and Chairman and former star player, appropriate equipment. But equally, talked to me about street football. there is an increasing demand “Although I was attached to this club for well-educated coaches who have from the age of nine years, much the specific knowledge and the of my development took place in the ability to work with young players. streets – it was there that I practised Just as the smart referee knows the and refined my basic skills”, said difference between a foul, a dive Roberto, who won seven champi- and a legitimate tackle, so the sensi- onships for the “Old Lady” of Turin tive youth coach understands when and represented Italy on forty two to drill, when to teach creatively, occasions. What troubles Roberto, and when to encourage self-reliance who played alongside Platini, Rossi, and free expression. Boniek and other icons of the game, Every player, even the stars, were is the dominating style of many once grassroots players. Every youth coaches. With the passion Sunday morning, as a youngster, of a street fighter, he added: “Young Michael Owen of Liverpool FC played players need some time for self 2 vs. 2 games with his father and expression, for spontaneity. Their two elder brothers. Ronaldo claimed coaches need to watch and listen that his “toe-poke” goal against more and instruct a little less.” Turkey in the semi final of the In many parts of Europe, street World Cup was the product of his football has all but disappeared, but Futsal (5 vs. 5) experiences as a the philosophy and the mentality young player. Wayne Rooney, remains valid. The street game was Everton’s seventeen year old striker, player centred, competitive, skilful who recently became the youngest and fair, and the small-sided game, player to play for England, still with one-on-one a key element, was plays in the streets with his friends. the basic form of play. Youngsters It is a football maxim: if the grass practised for hours on tricks and on roots are strong, then the game will passing / shooting techniques, using grow and blossom. a wall as their silent partner. A love As facilities improve and programmes EMPICS of football permeated all activities, become more sophisticated, there is An affectionate gesture from Gérard Houllier and cups and medals (extrinsic moti- the danger that some will lose sight for Michael Owen as he leaves the field. 3 THE THE CAPTAINS ENGLAND DEMONSTRATION GROUP OF THE FOUR EUROPEAN VS. NIGERIA AT THE COACH TEAMS WHICH IN THE EDUCATORS COURSE WON THE MERIDIAN IN VILAMOURA. MERIDIAN CUP. CUP. A. NABIL A. NABIL UEFA Designing the Youth Coach DURING THE OPENING MONTHS, TWO EVENTS HAVE SERVED TO PROVOKE REFLECTIONS ON THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. THE FIRST WAS THE MERIDIAN CUP PLAYED IN EGYPT AT THE END OF JANUARY AND THE SECOND WAS THE 13TH UEFA COURSE FOR COACH EDUCATORS, STAGED AT VILAMOURA IN THE SOUTH OF PORTUGAL. The Meridian Cup, pitting the top teacher imparting knowledge to pupils. four Under-17 teams from Africa and And the European coaches in Egypt – Europe against each other, ended Dick Bate (England), Luc Rabat in victory for Europe by a handsome (France), Juan Santisteban (once again margin of 36 points to 6. This gave a winner with Spain) and Pierre-André food for thought. Two years earlier, Schurmann (Switzerland) – stressed in the Bari region in southern Italy, that human qualities are, these days, Europe’s 35-8 victory had been just as important as didactic ability, achieved in mitigating circumstances if not more so. In their eyes, the youth of very un-African weather and coach needs to be a father figure playing conditions. The result in Egypt and a calming influence as well as an underlined that, whereas nobody con- educator and a technique trainer. tests the wealth of talent in African This combination means that the ideal football, the Europeans were ahead in youth coach is sympathetic and terms of concentration and tactical creative while being a disciplinarian awareness. Instead of patting ourselves and an alert psychologist. These days, on the back, the questions that were they felt, players don’t have to be relayed to the coach educators in constantly instructed. Instead, they Portugal were based on whether we need to be put into problem solving are doing enough to nurture young situations and stimulated talent; and what qualities are required to develop their own innate talent. from both players and coaches during In terms of the job itself, the profile EMPICS this crucial phase of development. of the ideal coach involves enthusiasm, Juan Santisteban has led Spain to further success. dedication to the promotion of young The Coaches’ View players plus team-building, teaching There are clear signs that the parame- and organisational qualities. At the ters of youth coaching have changed same time, he must be honest and from the traditional concept of a trustworthy enough to earn respect. 4 “We take great care at this club to make sure that our young players keep their feet on the ground.” Sir Alex Ferguson an honest, approachable motivator with a genuine passion for the game. They expect him to be firm, fair and patient while giving one-to-one relationships a high priority. With regard to on-the-training-ground quali- ties, they would ideally work with a coach who sets high standards, pos- sesses footballing expertise and is a good reader of the game. They expect him to be a competent fitness trainer but place emphasis on guidance rather than drilling. They would like to work with a well-respected coach, which means that former players start with an advantage. Summing up the qualities they were looking for, the boys made it clear that they were talking more about a role model than the traditional concept of an autocratic manager/coach. A. NABIL In the light of these views, the coach Spain’s Fernando Llorente Torres surrounded by three Egyptians in the Meridian Cup. educators at the course in Vilamoura were invited to pinpoint the key elements of an education programme On the training ground, he needs is not a ‘give-away’ job. The role for youth coaches. These were their to be a patient instructor yet be is demanding in both sporting and suggestions: demanding in terms of insisting that human terms and should be his players constantly aim to upgrade entrusted to specialists with the G The theory of player development their standard of play. Leadership appropriate qualities. G Identifying talent qualities are therefore very much in G Coaching philosophy and specific the equation and the coaches The Players’ View teaching methods consulted agreed that having been a Youth education is no longer a professional player undoubtedly one-way street. In the post-Bosman G Match analysis pegged to each gives a head start to the youth coach. era, young footballers are increasingly age-bracket In the ‘must-to-avoid’ column, the demanding in terms of coaching G Lifestyle and fitness concepts coaches felt that arrogance, indecision, that will help them to hit the big- G weak personality, lack of vision/imagi- time as quickly as possible. In Egypt, Game-orientated practical content nation plus human factors such as THE TECHNICIAN sat down with G Attaining the correct balance disloyalty, an unfriendly disposition three members of the English team between results and development and a tendency to avoid responsibility (Lee Croft of Manchester City, Chris G Coping with success and failure form the ingredients for failure. Hogg of Ipswich Town and Ross G Given the current state of the transfer Gardner of Newcastle United) and Development of individuals within market, many clubs are now returning asked exactly what they expect the group to youth development in order to of a youth coach.