Prosoccerway

I’m opening a new category of posts called ”Coach says…” where I will share some things international coaches said in books, press or TV interviews,…

Vincente Del Bosque

”From a management perspective, I have the problem of having a lot of top midfielders and they can’t all play at once. But, we are lucky, they are good people and this helps us to keep a positive atmosphere in the group, no matter which players are selected. It is very important for me to have good characters, as well as big talents.”

”Each coach has his own style and we have our approach. I always say that football is for playing, so that means you must try to be happy. I don’t understand the coach who is always angry, also jumping around and screaming. If you have to manage a team and make them happy, then you can’t be yelling at them all the time. So when you ask me about pressure, I think it depends on the individual. In life everything is relative. Of course, I am a responsible person, but if I am shouting a lot and displaying anxiety, this will send a negative message.”

”It is vital that everyone in the group avoids becoming arrogant and remains normal. There is no place for those who become egocentric and think they will win just by being there. The key is to have talented players and to bring out the best in them in a team context.”

”If we start to believe that we are big stars, that we are marvellous, that would be a big mistake. Our players are normal people and we like to keep it that way by avoiding excessive adulation.”

Pep Guardiola

”The more successful you are, the more other teams want to beat you. The more they study you and the more they learn about you, the harder you have to work. You have to keep setting objectives as high as possible in order to keep winning. It’s extremely difficult to build something good and strong. Letting it slide is much easier. The more successful you are, the humbler you need to be.”

André Villas-Boas

”…when you have to leave players out for the sake of the team, it is tough. Nothing you can say to them can convince them that they haven’t done something wrong. This selection process, being ruthless, takes the human element out of you, and it is something that makes you  sensitive to players’ feelings. You just need to talk to them and move on, because next week they can be selected and be decisive for you.”

”Some coaches are obsessed by their computers and the data they receive. I am not that way because, as I said, I favour the emotional, human aspect of the game and the cultivation of the players’ talent. Sometimes players can’t express their quality because they are restricted by rigid systems.”

”Because of my age and my lack of a professional playing background, I could never be dictatorial.Also, when we talk about the well-being of a group, I encourage the players to participate in the decisions affecting their professional life. For example, at Porto I would discuss with the players the starting time of the training or the need for rest days. I try to be an open-minded leader and to respect people. You must build a two-way relationship, even on decision-making about arrangements or actions in the game. Naturally, as the coach I make the final decisions though and if I have to upset a couple of people, then so be it.”