Football is as susceptible to passing trends as the fashion industry. Four years ago Italy represented the epitome of a winning team having won the World Cup in Germany. Their success was explained by a mix of calm, experienced heads and resolute defensive work. Fast forward to 2010 and Spain are now the pre-eminent international team whose style of play others can only aspire to. Their domination of international football since Euro 2008 has highlighted the importance of possession football and excellent technique. After England’s frailties were pitifully exposed at this year’s World Cup, the Spanish model is set to be emulated by the Football Association as they plan to overhaul youth development. Their director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking is the man charged with implementing this philosophical shift in English football. But is Brooking missing a trick by not turning to a familiar face at West Ham for help? Tony Carr has been West Ham’s youth director for four decades, producing some of the country’s top talent. Excellent lessons can also be learned from methods used at Middlesbrough and Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger has invariably been a vocal critic of the dearth of quality amongst English players. The experienced Frenchman has arguably been proved correct, as even skilful English players reverted to an ambitious long ball game in South Afrcia. Brooking led the calls for a change in England’s culture before the World Cup, as the country’s Under-17s won the European Championships by playing a brand of tippy tappy football. Indeed John Peacock’s team beat Spain in the final of that competition. Players such as Connor Wickham, Josh McEachran and Conor Coady excelled in that tournament.
England’s new breed may be nearing maturity but creating a seismic change in the nation’s footballing philosophy is a monumental task. In the hope of raising technical standards the FA has produced a weighty document entitled, ‘The Future Game,’ which they describe as, “A blueprint for the future development of young players.” The FA’s coaching department liaised with expert coaches to produce a thorough guide on methods, techniques and standards which will be distributed to all Academy managers in England. But is a detailed document the best tonic for grass roots reform? Can guidelines compare to practical experience demonstrated by some of the nation’s best youth coaches?
Tony Carr has a proven track record of nurturing some of England’s most prodigious talents. The likes of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermaine Defoe have all received his tutelage. These players may have disappointed on the international stage but play the game in the manner Brooking prefers and have excelled at club level. The conveyor belt of talent at West Ham has not ceased with James Tomkins, Junior Stanislas and Zavon Hines recently progressing to their first team. His commitment to developing technically proficient young stars has been unrelenting. The FA could certainly borrow his expertise to demonstrate to other clubs his methods, vision and how to run a successful academy system. Carr in conjunction with other respected coaches could physically take the message to clubs across the country.
Middlesbrough’s youth academy has been fruitful in recent years, guiding the talent of Adam Johnson. They additionally have European Under-17 winner, Bruno Pilatos on their books. Arsenal’s academy has produced footballers capable of playing with the club’s existing world class talent. Club legend Liam Brady heads up their academy which has recently witnessed the graduation of Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs. However state of the art facilities and having a range of innovative coaches unites these clubs. Funding is a prevalent concern, especially as reports suggest that the FA could be hit with cuts of 10% which would potentially restrict the money distributed to grassroots football. However clubs should be persuaded to invest money and effort into youth development. By using the knowledge of Brady and Carr the FA could ensure its message has the practice to go with the theory.
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