The Technician 38•E 14.1.2008 12:06 Page 1 Including Editorial: Lucky for Some Interview: Morten Olsen Better Coaches = Better Players Elite Youth Football – The Next Steps From Meridian to Champions League Benches and Benchmarks NEWSLETTER FOR COACHES N O .38 FEBRUARY 2008 The Technician 38•E 14.1.2008 12:06 Page 2 IMPRESSUM EDITORIAL GROUP Andy Roxburgh Graham Turner Frits Ahlstrøm PRODUCTION André Vieli Dominique Maurer Atema Communication SA Printed by Cavin SA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hélène Fors Sylvain Wiltord wearing the number 13 shirt in the EURO 2000 final against Italy. COVER Having already met in the qualifiers, France and Italy find themselves in the same group for the EURO 2008 final round. Also in the same situation are Romania and the Netherlands, and Spain and Sweden. (Photo: Meyer/AFP/Getty Images) PA ARCHIVES/PAPA PHOTOS 2 The Technician 38•E 14.1.2008 12:06 Page 3 LUCKY FOR SOME EDITORIAL us an indication of things to come finalist with Portugal in 2004, who as we contemplate the forthcoming has the passion and know-how to cre- BY ANDY ROXBURGH, European Championship finals. For ate another stir. Köbi Kuhn of Switzer- UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR instance, Germany set the benchmark land, Lars Lagerbäck of Sweden, and for strikes at goal during the qualifiers, Karel Brückner of the Czech Republic, with 146 efforts resulting in 35 goals, veterans of EURO 2004, are all gurus and this included a record scoreline of the technical area and know what for Joachim Löw’s side away to San it takes to succeed – without the use Marino. You guessed it – it was 13-0. of lucky charms. Sir Alex Ferguson, the head coach And, if talisman midfielder Michael of Manchester United FC, once said: Ballack returns from injury he will, as Not having the aid of a crystal ball, it is “Success in football management usual, be sporting the number 13 on difficult to predict who will lift Europe’s depends upon selection, decision- his jersey. How can the Chelsea man ultimate prize in international football making, ability to handle players and possibly lose the toss of the coin? But on 29 June 2008. Goalscoring effi- luck.” Of course, the harder coaches before you put your money on Ger- ciency will certainly play a factor, and and players work and the more talent many for the title, just remember that the exploits during the qualifying cam- they have, the luckier they seem to get. Poland have qualified for the finals paign of Croatia’s Eduardo (10 goals Some, however, try to minimise the for the first time – it was their 13th in 12 strikes), Poland’s Smolarek (9 chance element by embracing super- attempt. Could this be significant? goals in 15 strikes), Germany’s Podolski stition. I have seen players do crazy (8 goals in 14 strikes) and Portugal’s things to keep Lady Luck happy. In case we get hypnotised by a posi- Ronaldo (8 goals in 31 strikes) augur tive light, spare a thought for David well for their sides’ prospects. But, For example, one player who always Healy of Northern Ireland who topped without question, the managerial acu- had to be last out of the dressing room the qualifying charts with 13 goals men and the tactical prowess of the or another who didn’t shave while he but missed out on the finals, or Roy 16 coaches, not forgetting the quality was on a scoring streak. Meanwhile, Hodgson’s Finland scoring 13 goals and condition of their players, will have Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo, the great but not making it to EURO 2008, or a significant impact on the outcome Brazilian coach, was a great believer in Luxembourg’s stoppage-time winner of an event which will attract a massive the magical power of the number13. by Fons Leweck against Belarus on global audience. No doubt, luck will Don’t laugh. He would do everything 13 October – a goal which ended a play a part, and as events unfold, some to bring his favourite number into play run of 55 competitive matches without will search the shadows of superstition because in his view it was a good a victory but did not move them off for intangible support. But for most omen. With the quality of his players the bottom of Group G. Some may of us, reading the game will be far more and his managerial acumen, he didn’t believe in lucky numbers, but most put important than reading something into need much mystical help, but it made their faith in experience and ability. a number – even if it is a 13. him feel a little more secure. Others of a superstitious disposition could Twelve of the teams that competed support their views by referring to the in EURO 2004 have qualified again final of EURO 2000 in Rotterdam. and will participate in EURO 2008, although only five of the coaches who In the match between Italy and France, took part in Portugal will be back for with the former leading 1-0, Les Bleus’ more. Otto Rehhagel, who master- head coach Roger Lemerre sent on minded the Greek triumph in 2004, his No.13, Sylvain Wiltord, and he duly will be out to emulate himself by pro- scored the equaliser. Then, 13 minutes ducing some repeat business. After he into extra time, France sealed victory – lifted the European trophy last time, he it was their 13th goal of the tournament stated: ”I am the only person in Athens and the goalscorer was none other who can drive in the bus lane.” If he than David Trezeguet. Treize in French wins again, he will probably get a fleet Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images is, of course, the number 13. Could of buses to go with his permit! Then Otto Rehhagel, winner of EURO 2004 and one there be something in this non-rational there is Phil Scolari, a World Cup win- of the five coaches to have taken part in the last theory? Maybe the theory could give ner with Brazil in 2002 and a European two European Championship final rounds. 3 The Technician 38•E 14.1.2008 12:06 Page 4 INTERVIEW BY ANDY ROXBURGH, UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Turkel/AFP/Getty Images Turkel/AFP/Getty IN AN ILLUSTRIOUS PLAYING CAREER THAT SPANNED 20 YEARS, MORTEN OLSEN MADE 102 APPEARANCES FOR DENMARK, WHICH INCLUDED CAPTAINING A GIFTED NATIONAL SQUAD AT THE 1986 FIFA WORLD CUP IN MEXICO. HIS MAJOR CAREER SUCCESSES CAME IN THE 1980S, WHEN HE WON THE BELGIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (THREE TIMES) AND THE UEFA CUP WITH RSC ANDERLECHT, PRIOR TO MOVING TO 1. FC KÖLN IN GERMANY. HE WAS TWICE VOTED DENMARK’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR (1983 AND 1986). MORTEN WAS A THINKING-MAN’S PLAYER WHO MOVED EASILY INTO COACHING, AND IN SUCCESSFUL SPELLS WITH BRØNDBY IF, 1. FC KÖLN AND AFC AJAX, HE WON THE DANISH CHAMPIONSHIP TWICE AND A LEAGUE AND CUP DOUBLE IN THE NETHERLANDS. SINCE JULY 2000, HE HAS BEEN AT THE HELM OF THE DANISH NATIONAL TEAM AND LED HIS COUNTRY TO THE KNOCKOUT PHASES OF THE 2002 WORLD CUP AND THE QUARTER-FINALS OF EURO 2004. MORTEN HAS THE RARE DISTINCTION OF WINNING A GROUP PHASE AT A WORLD CUP BOTH AS A PLAYER AND AS A COACH. THE DANISH NATIONAL COACH IS ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED TECHNICIANS IN EUROPE AND HIS THOUGHTS ON FOOTBALL ARE ALWAYS STIMULATING. HE IS TRULY A MAN OF THE PITCH. HE IS MORTEN OLSEN 1 • What is your view of only way that we can continue to physically and mentally tired, and the forthcoming EURO and the make football interesting. So a who may not compete at their peak. World Cup qualifiers? tournament like EURO 2008 is vital For the moment, it is very difficult I think that the tournament in Switzer- for the image of the game – this is to say who will triumph in June 2008 land and Austria will be fantastic, extremely important for the future. because I think that 10 or 12 coun- especially for the game itself because When you see qualifying games, tries are capable of winning the Euro- of the level of football. EURO ‘96 it takes about a year and a half, and pean Championship. As we saw last was not of particularly great quality, the key is stability and consistency. time with Greece, anything is possi- but since then, the European Cham- But the finals are held over a three- ble. The gap between the teams pionship and World Cup final rounds week period and then it is all about is very small. Looking further ahead have been of a high standard. Of the form and fitness of the players to the World Cup qualifiers, from a course, these tournaments are also at that specific time. Often the stars coach’s perspective, it is a pity that big events, and the overall experi- of such a tournament are players we play Sweden again, but there is ence in Germany in 2006 was excel- who were injured during the sea- always something special for the fans lent. But it is also extremely impor- son, recover, and come into the in these matches. Portugal are in our tant the way we play the game. Yes, event fresh. Marco van Basten was group and I appreciate very much it is about winning, but with all the an example of that back in 1988. the way they play football, and we attention from fans, sponsors, TV, On the other side of the coin are mustn’t forget Hungary, a traditional etc.