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  • Pep leaves way for Tito

    Pep leaves way for Tito

    Pep Guardiola leaves FCB at the end of the season with 13 trophies in 4 years. Don’t believe there is a manager that has achieved so much in such a short space of time. A truly remarkable feat for any person and particularly to do it with the little coaching/managing experience at the top level.

    “I want to thank Pep with all my heart for the huge amount he has contributed to my career, both professionally and personally,” Messi said in a statement on his Facebook page. 

    https://www.facebook.com/Lionel.Messi.0010

    The 24-year-old added that he had preferred not to attend Guardiola’s farewell news conference as he was feeling too emotional.

    What next for Pep?

    Possibly the Spanish national job, although I think its a bit soon for that. I’m thinking more on the lines that he will take for from Sir Alex at United or go to Italy possibly AC or Inter…

    The world will wait for one of the greatest managers of our time to return and show his class again.Guardiola hinted he would be taking a break from the game but a host of suitors will be queuing up to persuade him to return.

    Even the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea are among the clubs to have been linked with the sharp-suited Catalan while national team jobs with England and Qatar (He is not motivated by money) have been mentioned in other media reports.

    Reaction to his impending departure poured in from across world football….

    “I would have loved him, even going through a disappointing year, to stay and come back and insist on this philosophy at the club because that would be interesting as well,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, once linked with Barca given his love of the ‘beautiful game’, told a news conference.

    Italy coach Cesare Prandelli told reporters that he hoped Guardiola brought “his fantastic idea of football” to Serie A, where he played for Brescia and AS Roma.

    President Sandro Rosell

    introduced the conference by saying: “We have called you today to announce that Pep Guardiola will not continue in charge of the team next season.

    “Thank you, Pep, for all the happiness you have brought us and for bringing a model of football that can never be questioned. The thanks from everybody at Barcelona will be eternal for the best manager in the history of the club.”

    Rosell hailed Guardiola’s contribution and backed Vilanova to continue Barca’s success.

    “Pep always takes the best decision for this club,” Rosell said. “It was his decision and it’s a personal one and an understandable one. We hope to follow the inheritance that Pep leaves us with the best we can. He has made us proud.

    “Now we can confirm that Tito Vilanova will be our new coach. This was a decision taken by Andoni Zubizarreta and it has been ratified today by our executive committee.

    “Tito and Andoni will now work on next season’s planning and I am sure they will do a good job.”

    Barca have successfully promoted several players from the B team during the Guardiola reign, and sporting director Zubizarreta said the appointment of Vilanova was a continuation of that approach.

    “Tito represents the philosophy of the club,” Zubizarreta said. “We’ve always said that if the team needs players, we look at home first. Who do we have here at home? Tito.”

    Guardiola on Tito

    Guardiola believes Vilanova will prove a successful appointment.

    “I think the club has taken the best decision possible,” Guardiola said. “He is more than capable. The players know him. He will make few changes. He will give the club and these players something that I thought I could no longer give.

    “I could have continued but it is not what Barca would have deserved.

    Guardiola said:

    “I would like you to understand that this is not an easy decision for me, but I would like to explain my reasons for this decision,” he said. “I have always wanted short-term contracts. Four years is an eternity as Barca coach.

    “In the month of October I announced to the president and to the sporting director that I thought my spell was coming to an end. The main reason I have taken this decision is because four years is many years.

    “I have given everything and I have nothing left and need to recharge my batteries. The demands have been great and I have not been able to rest much. I have to recover and the only way I can do that is by distancing myself. Otherwise, we would have ended up damaging each other.

    “I know that I’m leaving the best place to work in. I am very satisfied with the result we have achieved. I have had the great privilege of coaching fantastic players. I want to thank them.”

     

    We wish him well and look forward to his return in the near future….Thank you for 4 amazing years of outstanding football!

    Quotes: ES & ESPN

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  • The Coach Diary is teaming up with Inside Soccer.

    The Coach Diary is teaming up with Inside Soccer.

    I’m teaming up with Inside Soccer, the greatest coaching tool for coaches and managers on the planet!

     

    MORE NEWS TO FOLLOW…..

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  • Benefits of Small Sided Games on Youth Players is Consequential

    Benefits of Small Sided Games on Youth Players is Consequential

    The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced major changes to the game of football (soccer) today that has sent shock waves through all the major leagues and national federations.  Effective immediately the following changes will be made to all FIFA sanctioned matches:

    •The height of the goal is now going to be 10 feet high and the 30 feet wide
    •Regulation pitch dimensions will now be at a minimum of 165 yards by 124 yards
    •The penalty box will be 23 yards instead of 18 yards
    •All penalty kicks will now be taken from roughly 16 yards away

    FIFA President Sepp Blatter would not comment on the changes. However, a high-ranking FIFA official stated off the record, “Adults expect young kids to play soccer on a large pitch to make it look like real soccer. What we have done is simply expand the pitch dimensions, so that adults can enjoy the same competitive experience.”

    Clearly, an excellent player like Lionel Messi could not withstand the pressures of such a big field for 90 minutes. Goalkeepers like Iker Casillas or Petr Čech would hold their head in sorrow, as they would no longer be able to keep a clean sheet.

    Read the full article here http://www.insidemnsoccer.com/2012/02/14/benefits-of-small-sided-games-on-youth-players-is-consequential/

    By: IMSoccer News

     

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  • Its time to make the change and keep with the Small Sided Game until at least u12s

    Its time to make the change and keep with the Small Sided Game until at least u12s

    Its absolutely ridiculous that in 2012 and we are still taking about kids aged 11/12 years playing 11v11 football on adult pitches. What is wrong with these committees and/or boards of mainly old men, that they can’t see that this is clearly not what kids want.

    Why do they continue to go against nature and push kids into the 11v11 game some 2 years before they are prepared and ready to do so. Why? We know that all the studies go against this process! 

    What do kids love about football?

    Well, they love to PLAY, they love to SCORE and they love to get plenty TOUCHES of the ball. Playing 11v11 at u12s is preventing this from happening, even the 9v9 games has its downfall but it is 100% better then playing 11v11 on adult pitches, where kids get an average of 11 touches per hourly game.

    Drop down to any park on a Saturday or Sunday and witness for yourself; few keepers are taking the kick outs due to the mentality of getting the ball forward (stick the big centre half on them to pump it up the field) and the pressure to win. You will also find that most players rarely get a chance to touch the ball, spending most of their time  idle on the far side of the pitch.

    11v11 Game is for adults NOT KIDS

    The 11v11 game comes with adult rules and adult demands and many kids just aren’t ready for the step-up so why are we pushing KIDS to become adults even before they have experienced what its like to be a kid?

    Well, I’ll tell you why?

    The reason is because most league committees are made up of adults and not kids, if the league committees were run by the kids imagine how much fun kids soccer in Ireland and across the world would be…..!!!

    Unfortunately kids will never really have that say but we, ‘the coaches’ can speak on their behalf . Soccer committees in Ireland will continue to be run by adults with adult interests in mind. Most committees have a combined age of well over 250 years, that’s about 239 years out of touch with a child age 11.

    “We have to keep pushing for better conditions for the kids and age related games that only have kids interests at heart”.

    When was the last time they asked the kids what they want? 

    I truly hope the committees of all the leagues in Ireland take the steps to improve the game with the kids interest in mind and extending the small sided game into u12s would be a welcome change for season 2012/2013.

    PS. keep size 4 ball into u13s also! I say u12s but really we should be looking at u14s until we play 11v11.

    Great post by Nick Levett http://youthfootballdevelopment.blogspot.com/

     

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  • Swedish Talent Coach Doesnt Believe in Elite Selection Process

    Swedish Talent Coach Doesnt Believe in Elite Selection Process

    I wrote about this before and I don’t understand the benefit of elite football, with so many late bloomers going onto become professional footballer and the kids who showed so much promise at a younger age fading away into the distance. In anyone team there are only ever 2-3 stand out players so why pick the best and forget about the rest. I recently took up the option of training a u11s team who are 3 division behind the so called Elite or Premier league. With them my intention is to to prove that with the correct coaching any team can make it to the premier if that is the aim.

    Anyhow the kids just want to play, of course they want to win but that will come from them and not my will to win. I will install a winning attitude and mentality with humility and most importantly they will learn how to lose. The manager and I are singing from the same hymn sheet, we are all about player development whilst trying to play a football not longball!!

    Mark O’Sullivan is footblogball a UEFA B coach living in Sweden. 

    He recently posted an Article about Elite selection process….

    Recently Swedish national newspaper: http://www.dn.se/sport/fotboll/talangutvecklaren-tror-inte-pa-tidig-elitsatning

    “It is impossible to predict who will become an elite footballer” says Thomas Westerberg who has written the highly recommended book “Talangutveckling eller Spelarutveckling”(Talent development or Player development). Players such as Henrik Larsson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Johan Mjällby were never selected for the Swedish Football Associations elite youth training camps for 15 year olds. They werent even selected for their district representation team.

    Elite Selection is not good

    “The elite selection process is not a good  indicator as to who can become a fulltime professional footballer”says Westerberg. One reason being the influence of both physical and mental development.” Far too often talent is mixed up with early physical development, kids that develop earlier naturally perform better than those who develop later. This is all of little consequence and meaning in relation to who will be performing best as an adult.

    Today Westerberg

    is the development officer at Swedish  Premier League club IFK Norköpping where he works against the early elite selection process. Westerbergs aim is to create a safe and positive enviroment that will stimulate many to play football, focus on performance instead of results and let players develop at their own pace.

    ” I believe that everyone can find their own football path. It is important that the young player realises that it is never over or too late. Players develop at different tempos and they should never be stressed” says Thomas Westerberg.

    This article was taken from footblogball

     

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  • Playing in a Tournament and The Benefits

    Playing in a Tournament and The Benefits

    How do YOU find a tournament?

    The coach or the manager have to spring into action and get organised by going through the following steps.

    • Find a soccer tournament that is the appropriate level for the kids.
    • Speak to other coaches in your club or at other clubs for advice.
    • Get feedback online.
    • Make sure your whole team can go. If not find players so you are not short-handed.
    • Cost can be divided among the team which makes it very affordable for the families. Bag packing is always a great way to raise some money and you may have to hurry!!
    • Local or travel? If you are a select team look at travel but otherwise go local. There are some good local tournaments in every area which catered for teams of all levels.
    • Register for the tournament – normally have online registration.
    • Check with the tournament admin to see that they got your registration and payment.
    • Put together a schedule which should include maps/directions and get games schedule from the tournament organisers so you can plan your breaks and rest periods.
    • Make sure your check the weather and bring sun scream

    Coaching tip: Schedules normally come out a week prior to tournament start date. So, prep your parents and players so they know what to expect.

    Preparation

    Get your team ready…

    • When the weather is very hot shorten warm up times or if mild you can do a full warm up.
    • You and the team have anywhere from 2-3 games in a day so make sure your kids are hydrating 2-3 days prior to the games.
    • I would have a NO soft drinks rule, up to you! Get the kids to make their own, water, some cordial and a pinch of salt.
    • Between games kids should be hydrating and resting not playing too much as they might waste that energy.
    • No big greasy meals between games…you will have issues. Tell the parents to have the kids eat a lite meal.
    • Decide what you want to accomplish and teach in the tournament?
    • An example might be working on shape or possession.
    • Coaching in a pre season tournament the coach might work on a particular aspect of the game.
    • Coaching in a post season tournament might just be having fun and competing.

    Coaching tip: Just a suggestion but loan players should never start! This will only infuriate your team and parents.

    The team advances

    Prepare the team…

    Coaching tip: If the players and parents follow these guidelines they will be better prepared.

    The benefits

    The players and coaches will get the following benefits…

    • Coach can spend lots of time with the team. Amazing what 2-3 games in a day will do for your team.
    • Keep it very positive no matter what the results, but if you have placed the kids in the right tournament and appropriate level it should be no problem.
    • Team building exercises.
    • Extra skill sessions during the warm up.
    • Helping individual players improve their game.
    • Helps with a players confidence.

    Next rounds

    When the team makes the next round of a tournament, that is fantastic, you get to coach 2-3 more games. There is nothing like coaching a team and making a semi final or final. It makes the team more united and tougher. When the team does not advance the coach can still point out what the team has learned from playing games together over the weekend.

    Good Luck and remember “let the kids play”

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  • Easter Football 2012

    Easter Football 2012

    Easter is always a great time for football tournaments and thousands of kids, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunties, uncles,  and coaches will be preparing themslves for footabll tournaments all over Ireland the UK and parts of Europe. What makes this time of year so special is that young footballers will experience there first trip away.

    Ireland

    The best one in Ireland this year has to be the 4th Annual St.Kevin’s Boys Club International Tournament which gets underway at Shanowen Road from April 6th to April 8th. Celtic FC, West Brom, Brondby, Sporting Braga, Arsenal and hosts St.Kevins Boys all taking part. You won’t find a better tournament anywhere in the country with such outstanding international teams.

    Click on this link for the list of fixtures https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NMYc6DIDzOLEG_yropQoixdFLjMy4r2Lf089Mj5Xmck/edit?pli=1

    Manchester 2012

    Away from home and just across the water is the 2nd Annual DBSports Cup. The Sports Ball Easter Tournament which runs from March 31st to April 3 for u8s to u11s and April 3rd to April 6th for u12s to u15s. DBSports will have over 15 teams travelling from Ireland and another 15 coming from all over the UK and Poland. St, Francis, Shelbourne, Lucan United, Cabinteely Boys,  Avenue United (Ennis) and Ardmore Rovers (Wicklow) from Ireland. from the UK: Manchester City, Arsenal Schools, Stockport County and Stoke City to name a few.

    Tournament are great for kids, everyone get a game, plenty of football, great for team bounding and the players get lots of touches of the ball over the few days and not forgetting the parents, who get a holiday too!

    Plenty of football to look forward to this Easter. Let me know if you’re team is going to a tournament and hats off to all the coaches who give up so much of there free time  to coach and nurture kids all over this great Island of our and around the world.

     

     

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