Michael O’Neill and other top European coaches have been sharing their thoughts on grassroots coaching at a major conference.
To help promote the annual UEFA Grassroots Week, the Northern Ireland manager and others attending the 14th UEFA Men’s National Team Coaches and Technical Directors Conference provided coaching advice for grassroots leaders.
O’Neill, who acts as a technical observer for UEFA alongside his role with Northern Ireland, focused on the team environment.
“For many younger players, you may be the first coach they ever have. Their engagement, their enjoyment is huge. And their education in the game is always more positive if it's in a friendly environment,” he said.
At the event, which was held in Berlin earlier this month, current Sweden head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson pointed out: "The most important thing for any coach, whether you're at the top level or you're coaching kids, is the desire, the love for the game, the passion to help them improve and to build something."
Forming a strong bond with players was a common theme among several coaches, including former Germany head coach Joachim Löw.
"First of all, having empathy for the player, for the human. You need to understand the person, what they feel, what their emotions are, how their brain works,” he said.
Löw insisted that a good understanding of tactics that work for their team will help coaches build trust with their players while bringing results.
"It's very important to have a way of playing in your mind," he explained. "If your players are sure that you have a strategy, a way of playing, a philosophy that works for your team, they will follow you."
Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær pointed out: "The one thing every coach needs to have is that connection with their players. We're human beings.
“Communication and one-to-one with your players, that's very, very important in today's football."
Interim England boss Lee Carsley made a practical suggestion on how grassroots coaches can improve the connection with their players.
He explained: "Regardless of the tactics and the sessions and everything else, coaches have got to have the ability to listen and ask good questions.
"Players nowadays want to feel like they're involved in their own development. So the big thing for me, and somewhere I think we can all improve, is to listen a bit more."
Former England manager Fabio Capello offered some advice on how coaches can improve their players on the pitch.
"With the kids you have to be their friend and teach, teach, teach," he said.
"It's most important to try and improve their quality technically – purely technically."
Each year UEFA provides financial, physical and other resources to member national associations for the development of grassroots football – and its annual Grassroots Week celebrates its commitment to the game at grassroots level.
During this year’s special week, which took place last week, the Irish FA Foundation highlighted its education and employability programme, its support for women’s and girls’ football, various football initiatives in the community and much more.
A UEFA spokesperson said: “Grassroots football is the foundation of our sport, making the game accessible to billions around the world.
“A key part of the football ecosystem, grassroots football plays a vital role across Europe, teaching positive values, promoting healthier lifestyles, uniting communities and creating personal development opportunities.
“It also allows UEFA and national associations to connect with regional and local communities, build relationships with stakeholders and fortify links with non-governmental organisations and public authorities.
“With these strong foundations, more players across Europe have the opportunity to enjoy the game, surrounded by strong support networks as they develop their skills.”
