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Coaches to evaluate Euro 2008

VIENNA: National team coaches and technical directors of 53 European football federations gathered on Monday to evaluate this year’s European Championship and to discuss current trends in football coaching.

The three-day eighth UEFA Conference for National Team Coaches aims to give an overview of the way coaching is developing, UEFA Technical Director, Andy Roxburgh, said.

UEFA compiled a report on coaching trends at Euro 2008, which was co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland and won by Spain. Key findings from the report will be discussed at the conference.

“UEFA’s technical team studied the event and we got useful input from all 16 participating coaches,” Roxburgh said.

“But we won’t talk just about the 31 matches of the European Championship, we’ll also look at the Champions League as that is the best benchmark for club football.”

The conference started on Monday with a celebration to pay tribute to Luis Aragones, who led Spain to its first major title in 44 years before moving to Fenerbahce, Turkey.

The programme also includes speeches by Carlos Alberto Parreira — who coached Brazil to the World Cup title in 1994 — and Marcello Lippi, World champion with Italy in 2006. Discussions will also be held with coaches who took part in the European Championship.

Germany coach Joachim Loew, who led his team to the Euro 2008 final, missed the conference due to a painful right knee injury and was represented by assistant Hansi Flick and team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

“I saw good, positive football at Euro 2008,” Denmark coach Morten Olsen said.

“I think the main trend is attacking play, based on a solid team around some strong individual players. That trend is positive.”

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