Editorial: Crystal Ball Gazing Interview: Frank Rijkaard Which Way to the Top? Guido Vantaggiato – A Tribute Keeping your Balance NEWSLETTER FOR COACHES N O .31 JANUARY 2006 IMPRESSUM EDITORIAL GROUP Andy Roxburgh Graham Turner Frits Ahlstrøm PRODUCTION André Vieli Dominique Maurer Atema Communication SA Printed by Cavin SA COVER Gérard Houllier has taken Olympique Lyonnais into the next stage of the UEFA Champions League as group-winners. (PHOTO: EMPICS) Raul (Real Madrid), top scorer in the UEFA Champions League since the competition was launched in 1992. EMPICS 2 CRYSTAL BALL GAZING EDITORIAL which stopped the goalkeeper from cope with the changes. They must handling the ball following a back- remain open, adaptable and innova- BY ANDY ROXBURGH, pass from a team-mate helped to tive about their role, no matter how UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR keep the game moving; and the purge the football environment evolves. on tackling from behind reduced Occasionally, it is useful to reflect on violent challenges and encouraged the past and even to indulge in a attacking flair. little crystal ball gazing, but if a pro- fessional coach fails to concentrate Fast forward to the World Cup final fully on the here and now, if results in 2022, and with a little crystal ball go against him, then for the coach gazing, imagine the changes which concerned there may be no future. might take place between Germany As we approach the 2006 FIFA 2006 and that not-so-far-off date in World Cup, just think of the changes the third decade of the new millen- which have taken place in football nium. Maybe you can see the FIFA since the 1990 finals in Italy. In World Cup final being played on an roughly a decade and a half, a short artificial pitch in Sydney, contested by period of time in the big scheme national teams from Asia and Africa. of things, the face of the game has Every player – each plying his trade at been dramatically transformed. a top club in Europe – has a skybox In the areas of technology, business, in the stadium to accommodate his politics, legal matters and technical business associates (personal trainer, development we have witnessed a agent, lawyer, sponsor, financial total transformation. Looking back, director, dietician, etc.). The match is we see the introduction and evolu- being transmitted in 3D to stadiums tion of the UEFA Champions League, through- out the world, with the which has changed top club football crowds watching on giant screens on forever; we see the negative effect each side of the ground. of the Bosman ruling on the financial roots of the game and simultane- Millions are watching the action live ously a dramatic increase in the on their mobile phones or through the number of millionaire players, not to Internet, as they work, rest or travel. mention agents; we see football The coaches have a monitor in the clubs becoming PLCs and big busi- technical area which provides com- ness dominating the sport; and we puter simulations/data about the see the expansion of satellite TV, with game via a ‘live feed’. Meanwhile the football omnipresent on our screens. referee, who no longer has touchline assistants, has radio contact with the In addition, competition regulations IT assessor, who has the technology and certain other aspects of the available to confirm whether a player game have changed. The golden is onside or offside, whether the ball goal turned to silver and then melted is in or out, or whether or not it has without trace; the technical area crossed the line for a goal. In this became a haven for hyperactive scenario, the man in black only has coaches; the multiple ball system to decide if it is a foul, a dive, a fall IMAGES GETTY reduced waiting time; the number or a legitimate tackle. of participants in the European Championship finals increased from We do not know what the future 8 to 16, while FIFA expanded the holds, but we need to remember that World Cup from 24 to 32 contenders; ‘today is the result of yesterday – three points for a win gave victory tomorrow the result of today’. What added value; passive offside stimu- happens today in technology, business lated active debate; added time and politics will impact on the game, Rafael Benitez, a coach who is always increased the drama; the 1992 ruling and technicians must be ready to on the look-out for new ideas. 3 FRANK RIJKAARD RECEIVES THE INTERVIEW PRESIDENT’S PRIZE FROM THE BY ANDY ROXBURGH, UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR UEFA PRESIDENT. UEFA-BOZZANI FRANK RIJKAARD WAS A GREAT PLAYER. LIKE A ROLLS ROYCE CAR, HE GLIDED ACROSS THE GROUND WITH GRACE AND STYLE. HIS LIST OF CREDITS IS REMARKABLE, AND INCLUDES 73 INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES FOR THE NETHERLANDS (1981-94) AND A EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER’S MEDAL. AS A CLUB PLAYER HE WORE THE SHIRTS OF AFC AJAX (TWO SPELLS), REAL ZARAGOZA AND AC MILAN, WINNING THE EUROPEAN CUP THREE TIMES, THE EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP, THE EUROPEAN SUPER CUP TWICE, THE EUROPEAN/SOUTH AMERICAN CUP TWICE, THE DUTCH CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE TIMES, THE DUTCH CUP THREE TIMES, THE DUTCH SUPER CUP, AND THE ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP AND ITALIAN SUPER CUP TWICE EACH. IN HIS ROLE AS COACH, HE HAS LED THE DUTCH NATIONAL TEAM (1998-2000), SPARTA ROTTERDAM AND FC BARCELONA (SINCE JULY 2003), WINNING THE SPANISH CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE SPANISH SUPER CUP. FRANK RECEIVED THE UEFA PRESIDENT’S AWARD IN 2005 FOR HIS FAIR-PLAY ATTITUDE. AS THE HEAD COACH OF FC BARCELONA, FRANK HAS PROVED TO BE A GREAT PROMOTER OF SUCCESSFUL, ATTRACTIVE FOOTBALL. DESPITE HIS REMARKABLE CV, HE REMAINS HUMBLE AND TOTALLY DEDICATED TO THE GAME. HE IS THE GIFTED… FRANK RIJKAARD 1 • How would you describe your As a player you are more concerned remember doing them. But as a team’s style of play? with the moments when you have coach, you are looking at more gen- I think you could describe it as an possession of the ball or are about eral things. Are we organised? attractive way of playing but neverthe- to receive the ball. You are watching Are the lines between the defence, less with the final result in our mind. your team-mates and trying to midfield and attack short enough? That goes with the philosophy of the decide what the possibilities are. Do you leave any space? Things like club and the way supporters think When you are a coach you are watch- that. So it is more about controlling about football here in Barcelona. They ing how the team is positioning itself the system. But the most important like to see a good team, to be offered on the field – if your team is in pos- thing and the most enjoyable thing an attractive game with good skilful session of the ball, you are already is when players create something players, but in the end they always anticipating what could happen if out of nothing and that is the most want to win. So we try to make a com- you lose the ball. As the coach, you beautiful thing about football. bination of these things, which has have more of a holistic view. When always been the task of the big teams. you are playing, you have certain 3 • To what extent have you been players who can create magic in influenced as a coach by the 2 • Does Frank Rijkaard the coach a moment – you could not even top coaches you played have the same view of the game as imagine what they will do because it under? Frank Rijkaard the player had? is not logical. If you are playing your- It is a privilege if you have No. I think your view of the game self, you are prepared to do things in had the opportunity to work changes because you are developing. the game and afterwards you don’t with great people in the 4 FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN GESTURES AND ORDERS. EMPICS world of after international duty. I do not worry football. about injury, that can happen any- If you know where, at any time. The travelling, the them personally recovery time, that is what concerns and you know their way me most. However, we simply have of working, it gives you to cope with it. great experience. Of course, you gain many impressions from the 5 • How has football changed past. You still have it in your mind when since you were at the height of your you become a coach, and if something playing career? happens you can recall how it was dealt The evolution of football has seen with. But I strongly believe that you a reduction in the space between the cannot copy anyone. The decisions that teams. It is therefore important for a great coach made years ago will not the modern footballer to react and necessarily work today. It was wonderful be quicker than in the past, because to see how Rinus Michels, Arrigo Sacchi, there is more happening in the Johan Cruyff and Fabio Capello were restricted space. The basic skills, working, what they thought about foot- however, remain the same, although ball, and how they handled their teams. times are changing. The attention I repeat, it was a privilege to gain such of the media is growing, so it means an experience. that you can watch games from all over Europe on TV. Even friendly 4 • As someone who has been a matches are covered and it means national coach and is now a club boss that the players from the top clubs in charge of many international players, have to deal with the enormous what is your view about the relation- pressures of the media.