Very interesting story on the R4 Today programme just now. The programme is being edited by Mervyn King, former Governor of the Bank of England and Aston Villa obsessive. He asked Thomas Hitzelsperger to put together a report on why the German national team has had so much success. He knew Hitzelsperger because the footballer had asked to meet him to discuss why in the UK the inflation target is set by the Government and not the central bank - so there you have one of the answers - intelligence, being encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and contribute to the collective. Paul Lambert on his time at Dortmund noted that they were in every day, not just a few mornings 'it was a full time job!'. And of course they prepare meticulously - form the national team each player is given a video of his direct opponent and expected to work out his weaknesses themselves, and after the gane they each get a statistical read out of their own performance. Probably available on the 'listen again' service and well worth it.
Ok, from someone on the outside looking in .................... 1 - They have a decent coach, not a mid-table mediocrity Roy. 2 - The main reason England have never reached their true potential over the many years is that they continue to attempt to play 'European football' instead of playing what they know best .............. English football. It really is that simple. Germany are brilliant at playing their brand of football so how the hell can you beat them at it? Play English football and let them have to learn your way to compete. English football is fast, exciting, straight up the park and score type of football, not the one million passes type of stuff. That's my rant, end. Aussie
Quite simple really, they train more. As SB quote "it was a full time job", they treat it like a job and train two full sessions a day. Add to that all the tactical work each player are responsible themselves to be 100% prepared before every game. I know there are two sessions in England as well but according to Magath in reality the players could only manage one proper one. He was shocked at the willingnes to train hard.
There was an interesting quote by Sean Dyche on MOTD yesterday. After picking the same eleven for five consecutive games (despite the close proximity of fixtures) he said that he believes in their physicality and the group overall (something like that). It was refreshing to hear a manager not bemoaning the congestion of matches and the fact that it's unusual speaks volumes. It also suggests a rigor to their training that is unmatched - they may not have the inherent talent but they'll do whatever they can to counteract that. Not the norm though. I also think that in England there's lots of analysis about what we could do better but little action as a result. There's plenty of talk about money for grass roots football but the impression I get is that it gets put into facilities rather than coaching. I'd suspect that no under 10s get any proper coaching unless their parents specifically go looking for it rather than schools being adequately equipped to coach it rather than just play it. We also suffer from a proliferation of national sports that possibly dilute the quality in each of them.
Excellent point Matt. And there are facts to back it up. Remembered reading about it a couple of years ago. Football coach shortage paints bleak picture for England's future • Only 2,769 English coaches hold Uefa's B, A and Pro badges • Spain has 23,995, Italy 29,420 and Germany 34,790 http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/01/football-coach-shortage-england Not sure how the numbers compare now some four years later.
How Germany went from bust to boom on the talent production line Nation that suffered an embarrassing Euro 2000 now boasts both Champions League finalists thanks to a system that values coaches and nurtures indigenous talent http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/23/germany-bust-boom-talent Very good article.
Also a very good point. Jurgen Klinsmann speaking to BBC Sport in 2010 "Every nation has its own culture and specific environment as well as its own footballing identity. England have to develop their own vision and decide how they should play. As I found, making that vision work is not an easy process. It will take time and England's results might not be positive while it takes effect." I believe it is taking effect and Englands results should improve in years to come.
I can see that Hodgson is trying to bring through a generation rather than a short term approach (although I'm as guilty as anyone of disinterestedly expecting results). It does need to be supported by the league system though and things like minimum numbers of homegrown players might force the richer clubs to invest in the youth system more as a pure necessity.
Good points Matt. I fear that no kids get coached at school anymore, especially under 10. They have to have parents willing to sign them up to a club, then take pot luck in who coaches them. Says it all. Along with your point about our lack of qualified coaches. All I needed to coach any age group was the basic FA badge done over two weekends, a large chunk of which was first aid and child protection (both essential of course). Most of the rest was about how to run warm ups and teach the Cruyff turn.
COL's posts are particularly irritable to me these last few days. I wonder if its something to do with this new Site?
I think that's a good point Aussie, and is something I've thought for a long time. Also coupled with poor support of grass roots football despite the money sloshing around the premier league.
They're not childish like we are. They don't lounge around and moan and groan and waste time with WAGs. The Germans are more respectful and treat the job as such and so in turn their attitudes are better as well. We let our boys run around like babies and the babies in turn have no respect so they continue to behave that way.
This - lots of economists look at why Germany more successful than UK post war. They talk about to collective spirit and willingness to take tough decisions for the longer term vs individualism and short term interest. They say the UK had this in the war - but self interest of old school ties and nepotism etc at all levels did not eradicate in the way that they might have in the losing country. Short term self interest is rampant at the FA - with our clubs set up - in the PFA (unions) - in the political reform required and on and on - unless we face a national crisis that rips all this apart and brings national interest to focus. Anyway...rant over. We were talking about football....
Interesting posts. I firmly believe in two major reasons we can't produce players to compete successfully against the Germans. Firstly, look out of your window and think of the bog your child will attempt to play in this weekend. Secondly, for generations we as a country have coached any natural talent out of players for them to become more robotic in their play. Box to box running has been more important than flair or creativity. Let children attempt the ridiculous without being screamed at by a parent or coach. Pitches and coaching. Simples
