THE TECHNICIAN 2019-2020 - No. 63 - UEFA.com
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No. 63 THE TECHNICIAN 2019-2020
THE TECHNICIAN THE TECHNICIAN
4 10 16 36
CONTENTS EDITORIAL
4 ‘The key An exceptional year confronted members of the coaching profession
factor is the with unprecedented, unforeseen challenges such as lockdowns;
rearranged, high-intensity fixture lists; tournaments postponed or Official
small detail’ cancelled; squads decimated by COVID-19 and its associated protocols; publication
of the Union
30 22
and empty stadiums requiring self-motivation. This was reflected in
of European
10 Building for the pages of The Technician. The scenario prompted an in-depth review of fitness Football
tomorrow… issues and the management of training schedules and injury risks when players Associations
were required to return to peak-performance levels at short notice. Meanwhile,
and today a look at the way national team coaches were preparing for UEFA’s Under-17
Chief editor:
Emmanuel
competitions provoked thoughts on the longer-term impact that the inevitable Deconche
16 Eat for Victory cancellations might have on player development and international careers.
Deputy chief
editor:
Fortunately, other aspects of the game withstood the onslaught. Although coach Dominique Maurer
22 The way back education courses and methodologies might require adaptations, the new UEFA
Editorial group:
Coaching Convention, with its additional specialised branches, augurs well for the Frank K. Ludolph
30 The coaching future, while the 25th birthday of UEFA’s Jira Panel prompted reflections on the Thomas Cooper
development of coach education in Europe over the last quarter-century. Jozef Záhorský
cascade
Contributors:
At the same time, the silver anniversary of UEFA’s technical reports triggered a Simon Hart
36 Investigating similar review and prefaced some sampling of the trends – such as the increasing Graham Turner
the trends prevalence of advanced high-intensity pressing and high-risk styles – highlighted by
Production:
technical observers during the 2019/20 UEFA Champions Leagues (men and
Touchline
women) and the UEFA Europa League.
Cover photo:
Meanwhile, some abiding truths stood firm amid the viral turbulences. The Getty Images
Technician featured an excellent article on the importance of nutrition. And the
Republic of Ireland’s all-time top scorer Robbie Keane reflected on the transition
from playing to coaching and reminded us that: “The most important thing is to
enjoy what you do. I was in training sessions for 20 years with different managers
with different variations and different styles. But the key factor is the small detail.
If one player can take one little thing away from a training session that will help
him improve or give him the knowledge that we want him to take away, then
we’ve already been successful.” That is a message that will endure far beyond
COVID-19.
Frank K. Ludolph
Head of Technical Development
02 03
THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – January/February 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
ROBBIE KEANE
‘THE KEY FACTOR
IS THE SMALL DETAIL’
Robbie Keane scored a record 68 goals in a record 146 appearances for the Republic of
Ireland, including what is believed to be a unique record of scoring international goals in
19 successive seasons. Robbie Keane took time out from the UEFA Pro licence student
exchange course in Nyon, where he was giving a talk to student coaches, to speak to UEFA
Direct about his transition to coaching, his coaching philosophy and many other topics.
W
ith the kind of speed Among the other speakers at the UEFA about. When I reached 30, it was certainly
which saw him torment course were Northern Ireland national something I would watch closely, in terms
defenders in the English team coach Michael O’Neill, former FC of managers and how they treated me,
Premier League and Basel president Bernhard Heusler, Sergio how they treated players, how they spoke
at international level, Lara-Bercial, reader in sport coaching to people, how they spoke to the media,
Robbie Keane started his coaching career at Leeds Beckett University, and Josh how they put training sessions on… I’d
in 2018, the same year that he hung up his Hershman, managing director of Ten always look closely, without my coaches
boots after 21 seasons as a professional Toes Media. really knowing I was watching.
footballer. During the discussions, heavy emphasis
However, for Keane, now assistant was placed on the key themes from last Has coaching been what
manager with Middlesbrough FC and the season’s UEFA Champions League, as you expected it to be? And
Republic of Ireland, this was no knee-jerk outlined in the newly released 2018/19 what have you found the
decision. A keen student of the game, UEFA Champions League technical report biggest challenge or the
the Republic of Ireland’s record goalscorer on www.uefatechnicalreports.com. biggest surprise?
had been working on his UEFA coaching Technical reports provide important I love it, I absolutely love it. I’m very
badges for six years prior to his first insights into European football’s technical fortunate that I’ve got two jobs – with
coaching appointment. and tactical development – and they the Irish national team as assistant
The transition from player to coach, can now be found on a dedicated UEFA manager and with Middlesbrough FC,
the art of goalscoring, and the varying website. also as assistant manager, so it’s given
challenges of coaching at club and me different ideas. With the Irish team,
international level were among the topics Did you always plan to go you’re going from having three or four
Keane covered in his talk to student straight into coaching after days’ training and then away for two
coaches at the UEFA Pro licence student you retired from playing? months. So, to get your coaching across
exchange course. I’ve been doing my coaching badges for and get your teeth really into it on the
six years now, so when I knew that I was training pitch, I’ve found… I wouldn’t say
at the end of my career, I knew that it frustrating is the word, but you’re enjoying
was certainly a path that I wanted to go it so much and then it’s gone for a couple
“Don’t come into work down. Of course, when you’re young, of months... And with the Middlesbrough
thinking that it’s a job. when you’re 21 years of age, you don’t job and the day-to-day stuff, I’ve got the
I never used to think about think about that. That’s normal because best of both worlds really, also in terms of
you’re so young, you’re focused on what learning from an experienced manager like
it as a job. I’m getting paid you’re doing, you’re just starting your Mick McCarthy, who’s incredible as a man-
for something I absolutely
UEFA
career. As the latter stages of your career manager, watching him and how he does
love doing. That’s not a job.” come, it’s certainly something you think things and how he speaks to people.
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THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – January/February 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
And obviously I had him as a coach as You’re so well-known and I’ve played with have always dominated
well. And then going to Middlesbrough, well-respected as a player, possession of the ball. That’s the way
Jonathan Woodgate, who I have been do you think that brings I want to play. But you have to adapt as
friends with for a long time, we’re the more pressure? well to where you are. We’re going to play
same age, and I’ve been able to see how I don’t mind that because I’ve always against Switzerland next month [European
he is with the day-to-day stuff. had it. When you’ve had it, you’re used to Qualifier last October]. Now, we’re not
it. It’s like scoring goals. Scoring goals is going to dominate possession against
You played at the highest level. a habit. The more you do it, the easier Switzerland, so how do we adapt to that?
How important is it to have had it becomes. It’s the same with pressure. Do we do a training session based on
a playing career before you go I put pressure on myself more than possession all the time leading up to the
into management? anybody else would. It’s important that game? Why? We’re not going to have that
It gives you the experience of the dressing you keep the same level of integrity, and much of the ball, so do more overloads. So
room, it gives you the experience of the when you win a game, you don’t get too maybe low blocks, mid-blocks, and how
fans, it gives you the experience of going high and, if you lose a game, you don’t we can catch them on the counterattack.
to away games, going Tuesday night away get too low. That’s what we have to do; you have to
from home in December. You know how adapt to your situation.
to deal with the media as a player, so What would you say is your
you’ve already got a foot forward in terms preferred playing philosophy What’s the best piece of advice
of some of the hazards. But that doesn’t today? you received when you were
mean you’re still going to be as good Playing it on the ground. All of my teams a player?
as other coaches. It just gives you
experience, it’s how you treat people,
how you speak to people, how you respect
people. I think that’s a big factor. If you
want to be a coach and you love what “How they spoke to people, how they spoke to the media,
you do, you have to dedicate your life how they put training sessions on… I’d always look closely,
to it. I left Dublin when I was 15 to go
to Wolverhampton Wanderers, with my without my coaches really knowing I was watching.”
family in Ireland. I moved back to Ireland
two years ago from Los Angeles, and I’ve
done it again, I’ve left Ireland again, but
I’m starting a different career. But I’ve left
my wife there, and my kids. Now that’s
just for now; it doesn’t mean it’s going to
be like that in the future, but I’ve literally
gone full circle. You have to be committed
if you want to do what you do. I’m looking
at it as a completely different journey that
I’m going on, but it’s still with the same
focus of being the best and wanting to
dedicate my life to my craft.
What is your coaching
methodology? How do you
transfer your knowledge and
your own playing philosophy
to the players?
People forget about small details. Anybody
Keane can put a training session on. We’ve all
done training sessions; I’ve been in training
scored a record sessions for 20 years but with different
68 goals
managers with different variations and
different styles of how they want to do
things. But the key factor is the small
detail. If one player can take one little
in a record thing away from a training session that
Getty Images
146 appearances will help him improve as a player, or give
him the knowledge that we want him to
for the Republic take away for the game on Saturday, then
of Ireland we’ve already been successful.
Getty Images
THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – January/February 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
“UEFA coach education is giving you that platform to be
comfortable on stage, to be comfortable speaking in front of
people, to be comfortable putting on a session. It’s been a
great learning curve for everybody.”
UEFA
I was always taking a lot of things in, are, you’re great, your numbers How important are UEFA
from a lot of different people, different are great,” and then maybe tell him coach education and UEFA
managers. The most important thing is to on Monday. You have to be careful coaching licences, and what
just enjoy what you do. Don’t come into how you speak to people and how you do they mean for you and
work thinking that it’s a job. I never used can actually get into people’s heads. coaching in general?
to think about it as a job. I’m getting paid That’s managing people, that’s man- It is massive for everyone. We were
for something I absolutely love doing. managing people. speaking with the lads from the Irish
That’s not a job. Every day I go in, even FA, all the lads who are on the course
when I was 37 years of age, I’d wake up In September, Troy Parrott now. I’ve been doing this for six years,
excited in the morning wanting to go to became the first Irishman from the B licence to the A, and now,
training. I used to wake up on a Saturday to play for Tottenham since with the difference between then and
and I couldn’t wait to play the game, and yourself and Caoimhín Kelleher now, it’s massive for all of us. The stuff
that’s a feeling that you have to have. You became the first Irishman to you hear when the speakers come in,
can’t go into training or wake up in the play for Liverpool. What is the you listen to how they manage people,
morning and go, “ugh, I’ve got training reason behind this resurgence how they speak to people. We’ve had
today.” It can’t be like that because that’s of Irish youth footballers? some great speakers in. Mick McCarthy
when your mentality changes, that’s when Obviously, the association is doing was one of them, obviously who I
you don’t really focus and you don’t really something right. The grassroots are know very well. Michael O’Neill was
want to be the best that you can be. certainly doing something great. When here today. So they are relevant to us
I came through, it was myself, Damien because they work in Ireland and they
How important are technology, Duff, Richard Dunne, Shay Given, all at have worked in England. Just listening
data and analytics, and the same time. And then for 20 years, to how they manage people is huge for
how do you use them? Is it it hasn’t really happened and there are your confidence in terms of speaking.
important to be on top of those people coming in flutters. Now it looks Getting in front of a classroom; it’s
developments? like, looking at the Under-21s, there daunting to get in front of a classroom
Yes, I think you have to. It’s part of could be five or six potential players there or up on stage and speak to people.
football now. You have to be a part of it, where you say, “They could be in the I got up there yesterday and I didn’t
but you have to be clever with it as well. squad in a year or two.” Now, that’s up even think about it. Five years ago, to
You can’t be telling somebody he can’t do to them, how they progress and how get up on a stage and have to give a
another shooting session because his load they continue to stay at the clubs they’re presentation, naturally you’d be out of
Keane is too high, because that’s his craft, he at by continuing to play games all the your comfort zone. It’s giving you that
needs to work on it. But, of course, you time. Every so often, surges of players just platform to be comfortable on stage,
scored over have to listen to it, you take it on board. come along. I’m hoping this will be the to be comfortable speaking in front of
300 goals
You know when to do your training case for this generation coming up, and people, to be comfortable putting on a
sessions. On Tuesday or Wednesday, that could certainly push Irish football to session. It’s been a great learning curve
it may be a lot higher intensity than it where we were 15 or 20 years ago. for everybody.
would be on a Thursday. But you can’t
at club level, notably say to someone the day before a game,
for Leeds United, or I wouldn’t anyway, “Oh, your numbers,
Getty Images
I think you’re a bit tired”. Psychologically,
Tottenham Hotspur straight away, he’s going into a game
“You have to be careful how you speak to people and
and LA Galaxy tomorrow thinking that he’s tired. So, I how you can actually get into people’s heads. That’s
would flip that and go, “You’re flying you managing people, that’s man-managing people.”
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THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – March/April 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
Georginio Rutter of France up
against Adam Ritter of the Czech BUILDING FOR THE COACHES
TOMORROW…
Republic during the European
Under-17 Championship final round
in the Republic of Ireland in 2019.
AND TODAY
Coaches from five nations explain the groundwork laid to
Kevin Betsy, England
ensure they have teams ready to compete for European
Under-17 Championship qualification this spring – and
reflect on their ultimate goals for their young charges.
F
or those boys’ Under-17 national to the elite round kicking off. Monitoring
teams participating in March’s their progress the rest of the time involves
elite round of qualification, the watching as many of their club matches
goal is clear: to win one of the 15 as possible, while he also receives videos
tickets to May’s final tournament from clubs’ youth departments and speaks
in Estonia. The European Under-17 to academy directors and coaches. “We
José Alcocer, France
Championship is the first of UEFA’s also have technical staff in each region
continental prizes that a generation of who submit reports on the players we’re
players can aim for, and each national following.”
association will have already undertaken It is equally illuminating hearing the
a long process to put their squad in place. approach taken by his Dutch counterpart,
UEFA Direct spoke to the Under-17 Van der Veen, who oversaw his nation’s
head coaches of England, France, the triumph in Ireland last May. It was the
Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland – Kevin Netherlands’ second successive continental
Betsy, José Alcocer, Peter van der Veen, crown at this level, which suggests they
David Gordo and Stefan Marini – to gather must be doing something right.
their thoughts on talent identification, Van der Veen says the starting point is Peter van der Veen, Netherlands
player development and their preparations finding young footballers with ‘soft feet’
(and targets) for their upcoming European – i.e. an innate talent with the ball – and
Under-17 Championship assignments. then focusing on five aspects, the most
important one of which, he suggests, is
Finding the players mentality. He lists the others, starting with
The French Football Federation (FFF) has the “technical ability to get away under
approximately 60,000 licensed players in pressure”, and then tactical and physical
each generation. The task of Alcocer and attributes and finally “learning ability,
his colleagues is to identify which ones because we don’t have lot of time to train
might become footballers for France. How? together as a national team, so they have
“Through different processes carried out to learn quickly what we want”.
David Gordo, Spain
from the Under-15s, we identify a list of In order to know his young players
250 players,” Alcocer begins. “Of those better, Van der Veen visits them at their
250 players, I see around 120, of whom 80 clubs, while club coaches join the activities
become ‘internationals’ and with whom of the national teams. “For instance, I go
“Our final objective is to prepare the players for France’s we carry out activities – training camps, to PSV for two days and join the Under-17s
get-togethers, matches, etc.” And what and Under-19s and will be on the pitch
senior team, so they have to have experiences in their youth he is looking for is the following: “Game with the training session, so you see the
teams which give them the broadest range of experience intelligence, technique, mindset and speed development of every player there,” he
possible. In a player’s development, defeats can be just as – change of rhythm and gestural speed.” elaborates.
important as victories.” Ahead of March’s elite round in “We also do it with the players who play
Sportsfile
Hungary, Alcocer will have been able abroad. I went to Hoffenheim for three
to observe his players in two friendlies days, and Manchester City for two days. Stefan Marini, Switzerland
José Alcocer
against Denmark in February – before That’s how you see the players in their
having three days to work with them prior own habitat. The coaches sometimes
10 11
THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – March/April 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
still covering some players that we haven’t Spanish football provides one of the
Switzerland’s Besnik Shala and Romania’s Claudiu seen in the 15 and 16 age groups, and clearest examples of a nation with a “We have a group of
Negroescu during their teams’ qualifying round match
in the 2019/20 European Under-17 Championship.
then really trying to finalise the squad particular philosophy – one which has approximately 40 Under-17
Switzerland ran out 1-0 winners, but both teams that will represent us in the qualification brought success at senior and junior levels players and a Future group
have still qualified for the elite round. period. It’s basically a long-term plan this century. “We have an idea of the style
where we’re making sure that the players of play that best suits the profile of the next to it. These are players
come through the pathway, enjoy the Spanish footballer,” says Gordo. “We’ve who are behind in physical
experience, become familiar with how gained good results from one way of growth. We have the same
we play and how we work.” playing. Clearly, everybody has their own system at Under-14, Under-15
For Spain’s Under-17 coach, Gordo, personal interpretation, but we know the
the system in place at the Royal Spanish general lines to follow as this is what has and Under-16, and over the
Football Federation (RFEF) headquarters brought success in the past.” years we see a few of those
at Las Rozas ensures he has a good Over in England, it was in 2014 that smaller players develop and
knowledge of the players stepping up to The FA established its ‘England DNA’ come into the team at
his age category. “Here we all work with philosophy for the national sides – a thread
every age group,” he explains. “There is running from the youngest age groups Under-17 level.”
a head coach, but at any moment of the through to the senior squad. “The only
season the rest of the coaches can take thing that changes is the size of the Peter van der Veen
part in training camps or sessions with shirt from the Under-15s to the seniors,”
any of the groups.” says Betsy.
This meant last year he supported Julen “It’s definitely something that the
Guerrero, the national Under-16 coach, technical director previously [Dan
KNVB
in his work with the players he has since Ashworth] and the England manager
inherited. “I was lucky enough to share [Gareth Southgate] wanted to implement
some moments with this group – I was into the age groups. The style was
Julen’s assistant and I got to know them. very much to dominate possession and
“We manage between 50 and 60 territory, and be really focused in our
players approximately,” he adds. “From intensity once we lose possession of the
this, we have to select 20 for the elite ball. The best teams in the world dominate
round. When we choose players, we think possession and we wanted to make
they are players who can adapt. For their sure our players had a similar pathway
FRF
development, they have to cope with throughout each group.”
going into a new group.” If Dutch football is famed for its 4-3-3
“The players must have enough personality to be Another case is that of Switzerland, framework, Van der Veen stresses it is
able to give a strong performance in an important a smaller country with a smaller pool principles of play that matter most to the
tournament but in general, we evaluate their to draw from according to their coach, young Dutch squads. “Every team plays
Marini. “We have a pool of about 30 with the same principles,” he says. “For
technique, game intelligence and their physical to 35 players from which we will recruit example, if we lose the ball, we want it
characteristics.” for the elite round,” he says. And the back in five seconds.”
selection criteria he applies are as In the view of Switzerland coach Marini,
Soccrates Images
Stefan Marini follows: “The players must have enough meanwhile, a more flexible approach has
personality to be able to give a strong its benefits. “At this level we still remain
performance in an important tournament, very variable,” he says. “We still want to
but in general, we evaluate their train the players thoroughly, to let them
call me after a few months and say, ‘You camps and then split them into three technique, game intelligence and their play in different systems and not have
have to look at this player now because groups for each year. So it will be January– physical characteristics.” them locked into a single system.” Enej Marsetic of Slovenia and Rio Hillen of the Netherlands.
he’s developing really well,’ and then I’ll go April, May–August, September–December.
and watch him on a Saturday. The way we “Normally in that Under-15 year we’ll Laying down a style Solutions to the relative
work in joining the sessions with the clubs see around 75 players across the year. When it comes to establishing a style age effect season we put together a Future team group of players have the advantage of
is a big part of our success, I think.” Some of them are invited to training of play at Under-17 level, it is the senior In a conversation with national team which plays friendly matches in order to sharing training facilities with their more
camps only and some of them play national team who provide the reference youth coaches, it would be remiss to give them international experience and advanced peers. Van der Veen explains:
Getting used to wearing international fixtures, but it’s very much point for France’s Alcocer. He elaborates: overlook the relative age effect. According test them at a high level.” “We have a group of approximately 40
the England shirt a step process, where it’s training camps, “We have a national team coordinator in to Alcocer, the FFF runs a parallel The Swiss Football Association takes Under-17 players and a Future group
Across the North Sea in England, another training camps and matches, and at the France who sets out the framework for programme of activities for players born in a similar approach with its Under-15s, next to it. These are players who are
reflection comes from the English Football end of the year we have a tournament to trying to play a certain way: a possession “the second half of the year and for those organising a second team who play their behind in physical growth. We have
Association’s men’s Under-17 coach, Betsy, get players used to wearing the England game, zonal defending, full-backs who players born in the first half but who fit own fixtures. Marini adds: “We do so the same system at Under-14, Under-15
who says planning for this qualification shirt and not making the shirt feel heavy at can start attacks. We have a common the profile of late developers”. partly at Under-16 level as well, so that and Under-16, and over the years we
round effectively begins at Under-15 level. a younger age.” base. After that, the style of play of the He goes on: “We organise ‘Future’ we can keep track of them.” see a few of those smaller players
He explains: “We have training camps. We This work continues right up to the A team sets the example, such as the speed camps where we bring along players in At the Royal Netherlands Football develop and come into the team at
have year of birth difference in training point when qualification begins: “We’re of transitional play and collective discipline.” one or other of those categories. Each Association’s base at Zeist, the Future Under-17 level.
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THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – March/April 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
As for the young players passing along the European Under-17 Championship
titleholders the Netherlands
England Under-17 English FA’s talent line, Betsy says: “We’re have their sights set on a third
Karamoko Dembélé very mindful of growth and maturation consecutive title in Estonia, which
and Germany’s Bent
with this delicate age group. Some of would be a competition first.
Andresen during a
friendly between their those selected are Under-14 players and
two teams. we have to give them a fair assessment
of where they’re at and when the right
moment is to bring them into the pathway. Under-16 level, the result is still secondary.
The most important thing is the long- At these lower levels, it’s more about
term potential we see in the player at the selection, getting to know players, training
different stages.” them, etc. From Under-17 and Under-18
While Betsy can cite an example like level, the result is much more important.”
Phil Foden, a small but highly technical Alcocer, who is hoping to steer France
footballer who has progressed all the to a first success since 2015, notes that
way from the Under-15s to the brink of “there’s still a long path” for his players
the senior squad, Spain offer the prime beyond this level, as he adds his own
example of a European nation that puts its reflections. “We try to have the best
faith in small players right through the age balance possible,” he says. “Winning
Sportsfile
levels. “If we like a player, we’ll keep faith matches is inevitably the aim when you
with them,” says Gordo. “[Andrés] Iniesta get out on the pitch, but from our side,
and Xavi are examples of the smaller we insist above all on what must be done
players with technique, who might lack to win a match.
stature at this age but have ability.” “When we’re contesting a EURO, we
provides a tutor for when they are away Winning or learning? try to win it, albeit while placing a lot
Improvements, Spanish-style with the national squad in order to The above-mentioned efforts are all of importance on the principles of our
Gordo goes on to provide an insight into support them with their school studies. focused on taking teams to the European play. Our final objective is to prepare the
his efforts to improve his players – as “Every day we dedicate time to their Under-17 final tournament in May – and, players for France’s senior team, so they
footballers and as individuals. He considers academic work. Their clubs’ tutors send us once there, trying to win it. No nation have to have experiences in their youth
video an essential tool and records both work for them to do while they are away can match Spain’s nine triumphs in this teams which give them the broadest
matches and training sessions in order with us. We’re very keen to make sure they competition (including its pre-2001 guise range of experience possible. In a player’s
to capture images to illustrate points he get this done and that when they go back as an Under-16 event), but Gordo, the man development, defeats can be just as
wishes to make. to their schools, they have their work done tasked with achieving a tenth victory this important as victories.”
“Seeing images and getting to know and are prepared for exams. It’s vital in year, concedes short-term glory is not the Let the final word go to Van der Veen,
opponents, and perhaps above all, seeing their education – we want them to have only goal. “For us the ultimate objective is whose Dutch squad are seeking a hat-trick
themselves performing different actions – a broad education, as a player and as a that our players carry on developing so of Under-17 titles. Win or lose, he believes
be it making a mistake or doing something person, so we place a lot of importance one day they can play in the senior national a high level of competition is vital for his
positive – helps us to reinforce the good on this.” team,” he says. “This is the objective. And youngsters’ ongoing progression – and this,
things and correct their mistakes or On the question of educating minds, our first priority. But results are important he argues, is where Dutch players have a
things they are doing less well,” he says. Alcocer touches on his players’ mental too as we want players to improve by head start on some of their peers.
“Pictures are very important. We have a development from a sporting perspective, playing in all the best competitions, so if The compact size of the Netherlands
The FA
saying that a picture is worth a thousand speaking of his responsibility to help his you’re not in the EURO, we can’t develop helps in this regard. “There’s a good
words – we believe this, as when the lads players “open up and share with others”. you fully.” structure, where the best can play the
see images, they’re much more receptive He says: “[A coach] must try to make the For coaches working in youth categories, best – we have to drive three hours
to assimilating ideas and understanding player self-sufficient – able to evaluate his the key, as Gordo suggests, is to find the maximum,” he says. His players also benefit
the dynamics of the game.” performances, to watch a match with the right balance for their players between from early exposure to the men’s game
It is not just football lessons for Spain’s eyes of a player, to take a lead role in his winning and learning. Marini offers a by virtue of the fact the biggest Eredivisie
youth internationals either, as the RFEF own progression.” Swiss perspective: “At the Under-15 and clubs’ reserve sides play in the Dutch
second and third tiers. “They get a lot of
experience of physical resistance. They
already experience professional play when
they’re still young.”
“Here we all work with every age group. “We’re very mindful of growth and maturation with this The international arena, in turn, offers
There is a head coach, but at any moment delicate age group. Some of those selected are Under-14 its own valuable lessons. “The great
of the season the rest of the coaches can take players and we have to give them a fair assessment of experience they have with us is they’re
playing against the best of other countries,
part in training camps or sessions with any of where they’re at and when the right moment is to bring so they get that experience for their
the groups.” them into the pathway.” development. If they don’t do their best,
they can be punished by conceding a goal.
David Gordo Kevin Betsy The development they get is the experience
RFEF
of the game.”
15
THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – May/June 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
These days, Republic and they’re aware that their food intake
of Ireland players needs to reflect this during camps.”
(Robbie Brady pictured
here at EURO 2016) Never mind Molière, we have come a long
have personalised way even since 1990, when an Ireland squad
dietary plans – quite captained by McCarthy were told to drink
a contrast to the time
Guinness by manager Jack Charlton on the
EAT FOR
when players were
told to drink Guinness eve of their World Cup quarter-final against
to settle their nerves... Italy in Rome in order to settle any nerves.
Different times, as underlined by UEFA
Direct’s discussions with representatives of
VICTORY
xxx Images
several men’s national teams, not only the
Republic of Ireland.
Getty
The strong impressions drawn from
these discussions is that the challenge of
feeding elite-level footballers is two-fold and
involves a balancing act of providing fuel to
I
power athletes yet also food to please them
What’s the best way to feed a footballer?
“
l faut manger pour vivre et non pas – and thereby ensure they eat enough.
vivre pour manger.” This well-known Hence the significance of a chef who
We spoke to experts inside four national French saying, coined by the 17th- travels with the team, according to Zoran
century playwright Molière and which Bahtijarević, doctor of Croatia’s national
team camps to hear how sports science translates as “We should eat to live and side. He says: “You have to be aware that
and cultural habits both have a role not live to eat”, has endured for more than sports nutrition is boring and so the chef
three centuries, but whether it works for will make sure to give a special touch to the
to play. health-conscious professional footballer is meals and make them more interesting for
a moot point. the players.”
Certainly no elite footballer can freely
indulge their appetite seven days a week; Vegetarians welcome in Sweden
at the same time, though, Molière’s An obvious first step for any such chef is to
Miser – for whom the maxim was written ascertain which foods players wish to eat.
– never had to cover 13km or attempt In the case of Sweden, each player receives
40-odd sprints in the space of 90 minutes. a questionnaire ahead of every get-together,
Indeed the current scientific thinking that allowing them to explain their preferences.
a player should be eating seven grams of Dale Reese, the squad’s medical and
carbohydrate for every kilo of their body performance coordinator, elaborates:
weight on the day before a game is the “With every player we look at what foods
very opposite of miserly. they can eat, what foods they can’t eat
For an illustration of the science behind – if they are lactose-intolerant, glucose-
such measurements, consider this insight intolerant, any allergies or things like
from Dan Horan, head of football science that. We’ve got a list for whenever we’re
and research at the Football Association discussing [orders] with the different hotels
of Ireland, who highlights the care and and airlines. This is our base.”
attention given to the feeding of the This year, he adds, the Swedes have
Republic of Ireland national team. Horan added a vegetarian main course to every
begins: “We’ve used a performance meal time “because there are three or
nutritionist, Dr Mark Evans, to evaluate
the composition of each meal in order to
ensure that players are meeting their energy
requirements during camps. We follow a
food first approach to nutrition in camps “Non-playing substitutes
but there are some supplements made and goalkeepers have lower
available to players who require them, energy requirements than
France players at
such as whey and casein protein.” starting outfield players and
mealtime during He adds: “We encourage players to
EURO 1984. adjust their carbohydrate intake in the they’re aware that their food
Clockwise from left:
lead-in to matches so that they’re able to intake needs to reflect this
Luis Fernández,
Pressesports
Michel Platini, Patrick perform effectively for as long as required during camps.”
Battiston, Dominique during matches. Non-playing substitutes
Rocheteau and
Bruno Bellone.
and goalkeepers have lower energy Dan Horan
requirements than starting outfield players FAI head of football science and research
16 17THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – May/June 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
four that have gone vegetarian so we into the squad for the first time, he will sit Creatures of habit Hungary’s players like A family guide
want to accommodate that as well but, down for a chat with Steele, along with Judging by the teams surveyed, variety food that reminds
on the other hand, to monitor them so team doctor Alan Byrne and the strength is vital yet so too a degree of routine.
them of home when to eating like
they are away for
we know they’re getting enough of and conditioning coach. Dan Horan from In the case of Croatia’s 2018 World Cup any length of time. a champion
their vitamins.” the FAI explains: “Some players are very finalists, their usual daily offering takes
With the Republic of Ireland players, precise with regard to the balance of the following form according to Dr
team chef David Steele will prepare carbohydrates, proteins and fats that they Bahtijarević: “We always set up a buffet so Want to eat like a champion? Eat for
individual dishes for players with specific consume on different days and require the players can choose themselves what to Goals!, a cookery app endorsed by
requirements, such as those following their food to be weighed and prepared eat. We’ll discreetly monitor what they’re UEFA, the World Heart Foundation
a vegan diet. Whenever a player comes specifically for them.” putting on their plates and we always try and the European Commission, is one
to have different possible combinations way to found out how – and with
– usually one seafood dish, one chicken healthy ingredients too. Launched
dish and one veal, but sometimes we in 2014, it shows youngsters, and
Winning ingredients switch one of these with some risotto or their parents, how to prepare
something similar. They also have a various recipes chosen by some of European
Former England full-back Lee Dixon remembers the impact choice of side dishes so they can combine, football’s highest-profile players …
make their own meal from what is offered. from Cristiano Ronaldo’s preferred
of Arsène Wenger’s changes to his diet as an Arsenal player.
“The players need to maintain their choice of haddock with lemon and
routine,” he adds. “Our national team vegetables to Sergio Ramos’s gratin
“It would be wrong to say we had a bad diet before Arsène came, but is mostly filled with very experienced chicken with peppers, via Lotta
he looked at what we were eating pre-match and it was old-school food – players coming from top European clubs. Schelin’s fresh fruit salad.
Getty Images
Ian Wright, for example, always had a steak with an egg on it for his meal Nobody could tell me that Luka Modrić Eat for Goals! began life as a
three or four hours before a game. The way our food was cooked was needs to be told what to eat. That’s why book of footballers’ recipes which
changed and we had a lot of boiled food instead – it wouldn’t be grilled we’re following the system of minimum promoted the message that a healthy
chicken with fat on or olive oil; it was a boiled chicken. This was done pretty intervention.” and active lifestyle requires healthy
much overnight. The FAI’s Dan Horan concurs. “It is very food too. Its objectives were to raise
Before Arsène’s arrival, our doctor, John Crane, who was the England important for players to keep their eating awareness of obesity, inspire children
doctor as well, would come into the dressing room at half-time with a full habits on international duty,” he says. to exercise and cook, and raise funds
bag of jelly babies and would hand out two or three just before you went “Players usually like certain foods in the for the World Heart Federation’s
out for the second half to give you energy and that sugar rush. The first time days leading up to games and feel more relaxed and confident when they have [Once] in Portugal they couldn’t provide children’s programmes.
he came in when Wenger was there, I’ll never forget the boss’s face as he access to this food. The risk when players us with a pasta station as it was so far The app, in English and Spanish,
looked at Doc Crane walking around with these jelly babies – he looked at move from one environment to another – from the kitchen and it made players a encourages youngsters aged from
him and goes, ‘Doctor, what are you doing?’. That stopped instantly. from club to national team – is that there little bit disappointed that they had to seven upwards to ‘score a goal’ to
Arsène had a nutritionist, Dr Yann Rougier, who came in and spoke can be a change in both training and scoop up the carbonara instead of getting see the recipes from 11 featured
to us about what sort of nutrition would be good for you and which “Our players all come from nutrition. It is easier to keep the nutrition it personally done. It’s amazing how they players. It provides facts about food
vitamins. There was a whole table full of tablets and nutrition and vitamin outside Sweden and when side of things constant and players settle react to just small things. It’s a little bit and step-by-step instructions which
supplements available to us, and every morning before training you were we have our gatherings they into camps quicker when their nutrition extra work but those small things really should allow even novice cooks to
encouraged to walk along and take a tablet out of each pot – one would be needs are well met. The use of stir-fry make a big difference.” make healthy meals. Older football
vitamin C, one would be vitamin D, etc. Dr Rougier also randomly educated want as much as Swedish stations and build-your-own salad bars fans might enjoy it too – after all,
us on the importance of how to chew your food, which we all found food as possible. It makes allows players to make their own meals. Home cooking it is interesting to see just what
amusing but it made a lot of sense when you broke it down as the players crazy happy.” This sense of autonomy helps players to A taste of home matters too. In the the game’s biggest names like on
to how the body goes through processing food – chewing relax in camps.” 1970s, supporters of Hamburger SV sent their plates. For the curious, here
each mouthful 10 to 15 times to make sure the food was Dale Reese It seems the importance of routine Kevin Keegan, their star forward, boxes are a few of their choices: spaghetti
processed in your mouth before it went down into your Sweden national team medical cannot be overstated. In his book I Think of Shredded Wheat after he admitted in all’Arrabbiata with tuna and
stomach, which helped you process that food and get the and performance coordinator Therefore I Play, former Italy playmaker an interview how much he was missing vegetables (Paul Pogba); crunchy
nutrients into your body a little bit quicker. Andrea Pirlo likens the monotonous his favourite breakfast cereal. During cod with herbs (Steven Gerrard);
As a group, we were quite famous for liking a drink in the efficiency of his ex-AC Milan colleague Argentina’s World Cup campaigns of 1986 seafood risotto (Mikel Arteta);
early years, and Arsène was very much against alcohol – Filippo Inzaghi’s goalscoring with his and 1990, meanwhile, Diego Maradona’s Brazilian black bean stew (Kaká);
the odd glass of wine here and there, after a game, was equally monotonous eating habits: packet father, Don Diego, would provide the Cuban rice (Samuel Eto’o).
fine but the thought of drinking something during the upon packet of plasmon biscuits and, for squad with regular asados – or Argentinian
week, why would you do that? So that was discouraged lunch and dinner, the same dish of “plain barbecues. The same need exists today.
too. We had a lot of players who were 31, 32, and he pasta with a little bit of tomato sauce and When the Republic of Ireland travelled to
told us we could get another three or four years out of cured beef”. France for EURO 2016, for example, they
UEFA via Getty Images
our bodies if we looked after them. I thought, ‘Right, Dale Reese offers an example from took with them a selection of food from
I’m in’ as I wanted to pay till I was 38 and I felt brilliant within the Sweden camp of the impact home, including porridge (4kg), baked
playing with him. I was 32 when he came and from then of even a minor disruption to a popular beans (5kg), sugar-free peanut and
I was probably the fittest I’d ever been. Gary Neville, an old routine. He explains: “We usually want a almond butter (5kg) and Barry’s tea bags.
rival at Manchester United, still talks about our 1998 double- pasta station [where] one of chefs stands “We try to provide meals that players
UEFA
winning team and how good we were and how fit we were. and makes pasta while we’re waiting. It’s are used to,” says Dan Horan. “We used
It opened up a lot of people’s eyes to the potential of nutrition.” usually carbonara and the guys love it. Bord Bia [the Irish Food Board] for EURO
Getty Images
19THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – May/June 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
2012 to import fresh Irish meat to Poland
via Germany. Players respond well to
Planning ahead
No team wants to suffer the loss of a
Each country has its own way of
working. István Bodnár stresses
The science of sports nutrition
these ‘home comforts’ and it encourages player to food poisoning, as happened, the importance of only using fresh
ALEX CAPARROS
players to eat the volumes of foods that for instance, to England goalkeeper ingredients – never anything frozen Asker Jeukendrup is a professor of exercise metabolism at
are required to prepare for the intensities Gordon Banks at the 1970 World Cup in – when feeding his Hungary players. Loughborough University in England and acts as a performance
of international football.” Mexico. A bottle of beer drunk at dinner Sweden dispatch one of their two chefs consultant to Barcelona, RB Salzburg and PSV Eindhoven.
This is not just the case at tournaments, the night before the quarter-final against a day in advance when leaving for their
but at any international get-together, West Germany left him doubled up with tournament base. Meanwhile, a three-
particularly involving players who play stomach cramps. England, with Peter strong Republic of Ireland delegation,
their club football elsewhere. “Many of Bonetti in goal, lost the match 3-2, having including Dan Horan, chef Steele What is today’s scientific so for an 80kg player that is 500 or of time to digest it. You want
our players play abroad so they have a led 2-0 – an outcome that led Banks to and team doctor Byrne visited their thinking regarding nutrition 600 grams of carbohydrate, and something easily digestible, as if it’s a
wish for some Hungarian flavours,” says later claim his drink had been spiked. EURO 2016 hotel twice ahead of that for footballers? that’s quite a lot. steak then that steak would definitely
national team chef István Bodnár, albeit When it comes to a major tournament, tournament “to build relationships with The studies show it is not just still be sitting in your stomach during
acknowledging this presents him with a therefore, good cooperation with staff the management and kitchen staff”, as about putting fuel in the body And the day of the game? the match. You want a pasta or rice
test of his skills given the base of several at the team hotel is essential. Zoran Horan explains. He adds: “Our policy that’s important, but also that with When you wake up in the morning, dish that is fully absorbed, so by the
popular dishes in Hungary is rántás, a Bahtijarević explains how Croatia have is to have meals ready for the players the right fuels you can improve your brain has been using glucose time of the match all of that energy is
sauce made by browning flour in oil. ensured a smooth process in the past. ten minutes before the official meal coordination skills, timing, decision- overnight. This is stored in your now stored in the muscle.
“For such food we apply cornstarch instead “As we’re dealing directly with the hotels time and that means that hotel staff making – all those factors that are liver, which is the only place that can
and balance the different flavour with where we’re based, we give them the need to understand the importance really important in football. Good deliver carbohydrate to the brain How important is food intake
seasoning. We get the same taste but menus we set and they cooperate with of timing and room preparation. The coordination starts in the brain, after a match for recovery?
the food is prepared in a healthy way.” their local suppliers to get all they need to dining and snack rooms for players and so what do we need for optimal If a player has another match three
The wish for the familiar taste of some prepare everything that’s on the menus. staff are very important areas during a brain function and is there anything days later, then they would want to
home favourites is tempered by the task at We always expect high-quality groceries tournament because they spend so much we can do with nutrition to start eating again immediately
hand too, Bodnár adds. “On day one, the and our chef on site is always checking time there.” Albeit with less Guinness optimise that brain function? after the match. We are
meal is less strict and as we get closer to that everything goes as planned.” these days. Carbohydrates, which you looking at between 70 and
the match, it gets more and more healthy. also need as fuel for the 90 grams of carbohydrates,
We have more and more grilled food, muscle, and caffeine which is a fair amount,
prepared with plant-based ingredients.” are two things which especially as it’s not that
Dale Reese observes similar cravings “Our national team is mostly filled with very will affect the brain. easy to eat immediately
among the Sweden squad: “Our players experienced players coming from top European Caffeine can also have after a match for
all come from outside Sweden and when negative effects, most players. There
we have our gatherings they want as
clubs. Nobody could tell me that Luka Modrić depending on the are other solutions,
much as Swedish food as possible. needs to be told what to eat. That’s why we’re dosing – if you have like shakes with
It makes the players crazy happy.” following the system of minimum intervention.” the right dose, you carbohydrate and
One favourite is beef Rydberg, a meat get really improved protein.
dish eaten with Swedish lingonberries. Dr Zoran Bahtijarević alertness and
During the World Cup in Russia, though, Croatia’s national team doctor cognitive functioning; And finally, how
a problem arose with sourcing these if you have too much, about treats – like
berries. “We weren’t allowed to import you become anxious something sweet
them,” Reese says, which meant no and your heart rate goes or a glass of wine
lingonberries at their base in Gelendzhik up too much. or beer?
on the Black Sea. “You should have seen In the recovery period
how glad the players were when we got Looking at the lead-up especially, sugar is a
to St Petersburg [for the round of 16] and to a match, what should perfect way to replenish your
there we could get lingonberries. They a footballer be eating the glycogen quickly, so it would
had their lingonberries and that made day before? fit in fairly well with aggressive
their day.” It really is about making sure the refuelling. The problem with cakes
This is not to say that footballers are energy stores in the muscles are full, is they contain a lot of fat and energy
never allowed to sample new dishes. so 24 hours before you have to make that maybe you don’t necessarily
Reese adds: “As long as our chef agrees sure you eat enough carbohydrates. when sleeping. When you wake up, need. Footballers still sometimes have
it’s well done and it’s good, then yes, with It doesn’t matter what the source is therefore, the liver doesn’t have a little bit of a struggle to maintain
some of the dinners that aren’t the day – pasta, rice, potato or bread are all much glycogen any more, so you’ll their body weight, so in that respect I
before or the day after a match, one of good. Once digested, it is just glucose need a breakfast that delivers enough would be careful. Alcohol is okay if it
the main dishes will be a local dish that and the glucose will be stored. carbohydrate to replenish what was is occasional, but beer and wine have
our chef approves, so yes we want them One thing about footballers is they there – a decent breakfast with a focus quite a lot of calories – almost twice
to try. The Russians, for example, made us almost always underestimate how on carbohydrates. I’d be looking for as many as carbohydrates or sugar.
Getty Images
a marvellous pressed apple juice that they much they have to eat. The day around 100 grams. Whether it’s an One or two glasses now and then is
combined with sparkling water and the before, typically you’d be looking afternoon or evening match, I’d then not going to be a problem, but binge
guys just loved it. I don’t know how many at eating around seven grams per suggest eating the main meal three drinking is because that really affects
litres went down!” kilogram of your body weight, hours before kick-off, giving plenty recovery as well.
20 21THE TECHNICIAN – UEFA Direct – July/August 2020 THE TECHNICIAN
Barcelona had entered the lockdown
top of La Liga and still in contention in
THE WAY BACK the UEFA Champions League. Because
of this, says Soto, they “tried to simulate
the micro-cycle of two games a week,
with two peaks of workload, one during
the week, the other at the end.” Soto
Elite football competitions are gradually resuming across and his colleagues António Gomez and
Edu Pons each took a group of “seven
Europe, even if behind closed doors and according to or eight players” whom they monitored,
strict health regulations. How have trainers helped players though they were wary of too rigorous
an approach. “After discussing it and
maintain fitness during the long COVID-19 lockdown, considering the profile of the players in
and what challenges do they face in getting them match question – players on the whole with vast
experience and many years at the top –
fit again? We ask the experts. we decided in the end to leave them a
bit more freedom and to allow them to
I
disconnect a little,” he elaborates. “These
t was not training as they had known physical trainers and medical experts from are players who normally don’t have such
it. On 8 May, the day of the Barcelona around Europe to gain an understanding prolonged periods of inactivity, without
squad’s return to their Ciutat Esportiva of the impact of this hiatus on players’ any competition. We even let them decide
after 56 days, each player worked with bodies and minds – and the work done, whether they wanted to do the sessions
a ball on his own. There was no chance both during the confinement period in the morning or evening depending on
for the usual chatter and laughter with and afterwards, to get players back on their family situation. The only thing we
team-mates, indeed not even a shower the pitch. insisted on was getting their RPE [rating of
afterwards – the ‘zona de aguas’ with its perceived exertion] from the session so we
sauna, hydromassage pool and Jacuzzi Keeping physically fit at home could keep track of their workload.”
was strictly off limits. Instead, each player The immediate challenge at many According to the fitness trainer at Ajax,
simply picked up a sealed bag containing clubs was to provide programmes and Alessandro Schoenmaker, the first aim
his kit for the following day, got into his equipment for players to use at home. when establishing a programme for their
car and drove home. Yet there were no Spain was one of the European countries players during the initial period at home
grumbles, no expressions of anxiety. worst affected by COVID-19 and was “to maintain the physical capacity
“No, the complete opposite,” says Fran endured a strict seven-week lockdown. that you lose very quickly – speed, power,
Soto, the first-team physical trainer. At Barcelona, most players had “quite strength. There was low-intensity training
“They were delighted to get out again well-equipped gyms” according to Soto. for central adaptations and high-intensity
and be able to enjoy what they most Some 850km to the south, though, his training for peripheral adaptations to try
like doing.” counterpart at La Liga club Granada, Víctor to reduce the detraining effect.” Each
For Lionel Messi and co, it was the Lafuente, recounts how he and colleagues player had a Polar heart-rate monitor
start of the process of getting ready to “almost completely dismantled” the watch delivered to his home and this,
play competitive football again after the training ground gym to ensure players had together with a tracking app, meant a
game’s unprecedented pause due to the the right kit, including exercise bikes and younger squad than Barcelona’s received
COVID-19 pandemic. It was a process that running machines. “The most important closer monitoring. Schoenmaker explains:
players had already begun some weeks objectives from the physiological and “Some of them went outside, running
earlier in Germany and the Faroe Islands, biological side were to avoid a loss and biking, and other ideas we suggested.
whose league programmes were the of muscle mass and to avoid a major Others stayed at home as they didn’t want
first to resume on 16 May. Others would detraining,” Lafuente adds of the initial contact with people outside and used
follow as football began its gradual return goal. “Our training plan gave a lot of Wattbikes and training material provided.
elsewhere across the continent. In this importance to power and had phases I could track them and see what they were
special report, we speak to coaching staff, of high-intensity work.” doing and where, and gave them constant
feedback.”
Vosse de Boode, the club’s head of
sports science and data analytics, adds:
“We knew when they were going for
a run and how fast they ran. They had
“We tried to simulate the micro-cycle of two games to upload it through their phone to
a week, with two peaks of workload, one during Fran Soto follows us.” The technology was there and the
the week, the other at the end.” the protocol in a data too but, De Boode observes, they
Miguel Ruiz
protective mask
were now working outside of the usual
and gloves on
Fran Soto Barcelona’s return “micro-cycles” of matches. There was
FC Barcelona’s first-team physical trainer to training. uncertainty “whether we had to go on
22 23You can also read
