German football has changed from a machine flattening everything in its path to a graceful ballet.
The winds of change blew across German football by deliberate design. The decision-makers kept clubs in the loop about the player-type needed to be identified from the youth squads. The signs were visible to those visiting Germany in 2005 for a coaching course conducted by the Asian Football Confederation.
Former India defender and current Salgaocar FC chief coach Derrick Pereira was among 22 Asians based at the Hennes Weisweiler Academy in Hennef for AFC’s third Pro Football Diploma Coaching course.
The coaches attended Bundesliga club training sessions and watched league matches, apart from playing against German coaches there for a pro course organised by Deutscher Fussball Bund (DFB), the German national federation.
“The focus was on youth development. There was a lot of scouting going on in every club. Information within Germany and outside was collected,” Pereira told The Hindu from Goa.
Emphasis on pressing gamePereira recollects the emphasis on the ‘pressing game’ at practice sessions and Bundesliga matches: “Players were trained in decision-making on the field under pressure. Sessions were intense, similar to the intensity faced in a match situation. For youngsters trained over a long time, taking quick, logical decisions became part of their thinking.”
2005 was a year of preparations before the World Cup hosted by Germany. Jurgen Klinsmann, the famous German forward based in the United States post retirement, was invited by DFB to coach the national squad. He pioneered the attacking style and short-listed players with fine ball skills. The host finished third in 2006.
Klinsmann’s deputy then, Joachim Low, was appointed head coach.
Pereira observed that by then, attacking play the Klinsmann way and the physical conditioning required to sustain it for long periods, had become the norm across the nation.
“Their discipline and professionalism should be admired. They know what they need. Once DFB accepts a philosophy, it becomes the system. Every club/coach/footballer in Germany, from the bottom to the top, follows it.
Team goals“Talent scouting was in place long before we reached (2005). Most of the goals scored this time were team goals, many Germany players were involved in the same move. Combination play was seen, with conditioning to match the commitment.”
Low remains chief coach, plotting and planning, polishing the capability of youngsters identified for the purpose. The 2014 World Cup was the summit, changing the way the world looks at German football.
“Earlier, matches featuring Germany were like a duel. Now it has become more sublime,” he said.
Klinsmann can be proud of initiating the process. The baton was carried forward by one-time assistant Low as Germany crossed the finish line in 2014. An Indian joins in the applause.
