Keeping up with the Jones'
Friday, 26 June 09, 03:22 AM · Comments(0)
By Michael Sinnerton
To rehash a theme started by Martin Samuel, I wonder whom we should be copying now. When the French won the World Cup along with the Euros in quick succession the FA told us that the French model had to be followed. This is an extract from Paul Hayward in the Telegraph in 2000:
"Thirty-four years after they last reached the final of a major competition, England have resolved not to be the cave dwellers of the world game, the sick man of Europe. This week, Eriksson's assistant and trusted ally, Tord Grip, visited the Under-17s in the Charlton dressing room before their 1-0 victory over France, who now provide regular opposition for England's teenagers under the informal Anglo-French accord. From now on, Grip's presence seemed to say to the eager starlets, you are part of a system which binds each tier of international representation together, and which reflects the urgent need to produce skilful, intelligent and tactically aware young England players."
Wilkinson's staff have scoured the world for inspiration, but it was the shortest journey of them all which provided the best source of organisational wisdom. Gerard Houllier, a former technical director of the French federation and now manager of Liverpool, was the cross-channel fixer and go-between. "After the 1998 World Cup, I spoke to Aime Jacquet [the World Cup winning coach], and they told us everything they do," said Les Reed (director of technical development) at an Under-17 training session on Monday. "Since then, Howard and I have met Roger Lemerre [Jacquet's successor]. He did a technical seminar for us and let everybody have all the information."
In England's victory over France the goal scorer was Michael Chopra who said: "Yeah, that's what Les is trying to teach us. One-touch passing and good movement off the ball. That's what France do. They're strong and full of running." Isn't this just basic youth development? Why do we need the French to tell us that movement and good passing are the key to (attacking) football? Ah but we don't now I hear you say, we've got the Spanish to teach us. Now that Spain have ended years of ‘hurt' without an international trophy, we don't need the French anymore.
Trevor Brooking in February:
"What we've got to try to do is make some of our youth development coaches understand that you have got to spend years on our grass-roots programme to be up there where Spain are now.
"Spain have been doing it for the last 10 years. But we've got to start now. And in 10 years' time we might have a chance of being close to that as far as the depth of our development is concerned."
Given that Spain have just lost to the USA, presumably whoever's the FA's next ‘director of technical development' is will focus on producing big, lucky brutes (not to take away from the Americans who were very good on the day). The point is that we really should be taking the good ideas from throughout Europe and South America whilst perhaps adding our own at youth development rather than desperately trying to keep up with the Jones', the Henry‘s or the Xavi‘s.
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
-
tomcruise said:Its very good .. I like it
student loans consolidation
On Wenger's experiment: The good, the bad and the Verminator
student loan consolidation rate said:It is very good and attractive
student loans consolidation
Freddy said:Interesting to revisit this after 4 of 6 matches. Liverpool clearly are struggl...
Freddy said:Also never bet on a match involving your own side. Too messy!
-
studentsofthegame
GB
We really should be getting paid for this.
On Wenger's experiment: The good, the bad and the Verminator