www.elitesoccercoaching.net
NOVEMBER 2016
SOCCER
Exclusive
om top
Training practicesafr
ers
professional man g
JURGEN
KLOPP
COUNTER-PRESSING AS
LIVERPOOL
AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
LUTON TOWN
OMONIA NICOSIA
THE FOOTBALL
ASSOCIATION
BURTON ALBION
LMA AMBASSADOR
NATHAN
JONES
Use of space and
switching
JOHN
CARVER
Attacking in a
4-4-2 formation
BEN
BARTLETT
8v8 with a back
three
SAM
ROSE
Pressing
boxes
KENNY
DALGLISH
Attacking
movement and
interplay
EXTRA-TIME INTERVIEW: WITH BURNLEY MANAGER SEAN DYCHE
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
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2 NOVEMBER 2016
ISSUE 76/NOVEMBER 2016: FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Engaging, informed and expertly
presented coaching plans from
the game’s leading names
Dear Coach,
Welcome to the November issue of Elite Soccer.
The season continues on at quite a pace, with sides now into the swing
of things after what can often be some frantic early-season exchanges.
November is a month in which teams will look to cement results before
the busy festive period comes around, and with that in mind we’re back
with a diverse selection of practices that should fire the imagination and
inspire each and every member of your playing squad.
So what better way to start than in the Barclays Premier League
with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool? The Reds have perfected a headlinegrabbing brand of fast, attacking football this term; one that has seen
them defeat league champions Leicester City, plus title challengers
Arsenal and Chelsea away from home.
And Liverpool’s charismatic manager has supplied for us a terrific
document that examines counter-pressing as an offensive weapon.
The session represents a classic Jurgen Klopp practice, and its success
has left many wondering if this could be the year the club grab their first
Premier League crown.
Moving into the Football League, and Luton Town manager Nathan
Jones looks at the use of space and switching, while former Newcastle
United caretaker-manager John Carver – who is now enjoying life in
Cyprus with Omonia Nicosia - shows us the intricacies of attacking in a
4-4-2 formation.
Football Association coach Ben Bartlett offers us a brilliantly detailed
plan that looks at an 8v8 set-up with a back three in place, while Burton
Albion coach Sam Rose outlines a great session that uses pressing
boxes.
Finally, we have reproduced a great plan from the archives as former
Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Celtic and Newcastle United manager
Kenny Dalglish assesses attacking movement and interplay.
As always, we hope you and your players enjoy what’s on offer, and we’ll
see you again next month.
Yours, in soccer,
5
JURGEN KLOPP
LIVERPOOL
Counterpressing as
an offensive
weapon
8
NATHAN
JONES
LUTON TOWN
Use of
space and
switching
11
JOHN CARVER
OMONIA NICOSIA
Attacking
in a 4-4-2
combination
15
BEN BARTLETT
THE FOOTBALL
ASSOCIATION
8v8 with a
back three
18
SAM ROSE
BURTON ALBION
Pressing
boxes
Howard Wilkinson, LMA Chairman
Elite Soccer is a monthly publication for
professional, semi-professional and
aspiring soccer coaches and is available
by subscription only.
To subscribe email
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or call on +44 (0) 1483 892 894
21
KENNY DALGLISH
LMA AMBASSADOR
Attacking
movement
and
interplay
24 EXTRA-TIME:
... with Sean Dyche
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
MANAGER PROFILES
ELITE SOCCER NOVEMBER 2016
Here are the six managers andcoaches we’re delighted to welcome into this issue of Elite Soccer
JURGEN KLOPP
LIVERPOOL
Jürgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool in October 2015 with a
track record of managerial success, acknowledged as
one of the game’s most forward-thinking coaches.
On his appointment, the German manager’s CV already
boasted two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a
UEFA Champions League final appearance, all earned
during a seven-year stint with Borussia Dortmund.
Klopp quickly acclimatised to the Premier League, and
his exciting brand of football has continued to impress
onlookers during the early part of this 2016/2017
campaign.
Klopp’s journey as a player began - and in fact ended with FSV Mainz, where he spent his entire career before
retiring aged 34.
During his time on the pitch, and indeed throughout
Mainz’s history, the club had rarely troubled the
upper echelons of German football, but when he was
appointed manager in 2001 he had the opportunity
to change their fortunes. In the 2003/04 season,
the Stuttgart-born boss ended a 41-year wait for
Bundesliga football at the Stadion am Bruchweg when
he oversaw promotion from the second tier in his third
season in charge of Mainz.
In the summer of 2008, Klopp was appointed as
Head Coach of Borussia Dortmund and he led the
Westfalenstadion outfit to sixth and then fifth in his two
seasons in charge, before masterminding back-toback Bundesliga title wins.
These Bundesliga successes, allied to a German
Cup win in 2011/12, helped to re-establish Dortmund
among German football’s elite. By his fifth season with
Dortmund Klopp had led his players to the Champions
League final. While they ultimately lost the final to rivals
Bayern Munich, Klopp’s reputation as one of football’s
most impressive managers continued to grow.
Klopp’s first campaign in charge at Liverpool, was an
exciting one, punctuated by a series of exhilarating
matches and performances culminating in Liverpool
reaching both the Capital One Cup and UEFA Europa
League Finals. The club’s Europa League run gave
cause for great optimism amongst the Anfield faithful,
most notably as Liverpool knocked out Klopp’s former
side Borussia Dortmund..
3 NOVEMBER 2016
NATHAN JONES
LUTON TOWN
Nathan Jones is currently manager
of Luton Town having joined in
January 2016.
The 42-year-old signed a twoand-a-half-year contract having
previously worked as first-team
coach at Championship side
Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Welshman – who holds a UEFA
Pro Licence and in 2015 helped
England Under-21 boss Gareth
Southgate prepare the Young
Lions for their UEFA Under-21
championship campaign in the
Czech Republic – has eased into his
first managerial position, with the
Hatters currently riding high in Sky
Bet League Two.
JOHN CARVER
OMONIA NICOSIA
John Carver was previously Head
Coach at Newcastle United.
Appointed in January 2015, he
stepped up from his position as
assistant and successfully warded
off the threat of relegation to the
Championship.
He had previously worked at the
club from 1999 to 2004 as assistant
manager with a short spell as
caretaker manager during this
time.
Carver’s coaching and managerial
career has included spells as
caretaker manager at both Leeds
United and Sheffield United. He
joined Omonia Nicosia in June
2016.
them progress from club to
elite football, and from elite
into international squads, Ben
possesses a modern, creative
philosophy on coach and player
development, with the capacity to
map theory into practice.
SAM ROSE
BURTON ALBION
Sam holds the position of
Professional Development Phase
Lead Coach at the Academy of
Championship side Burton Albion
FC. He joined the club in 2010/11
and has held various full-time
positions since, including Technical
Skills Coach, Foundation Phase
Lead Coach and Head of Academy
Coaching, and now leads the
coaching and development of the
Under-18s group at the club.
He completed the UEFA A Licence
with the FA at the age of 26 and is
currently working towards the FA
Advanced Youth Award.
KENNY DALGLISH
LMA AMBASSADOR
Kenny Dalglish was most recently
manager of Liverpool in the
Barclays Premier League having
enjoyed an extremely successful
playing and managerial career,
taking charge of over 500 games
at Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers,
Newcastle United and Celtic.
On the pitch he clinched multiple
honours at Celtic and then
Liverpool, where he achieved six
league titles, three European Cups
and five domestic cups.
Beginning his managerial career
with Liverpool in 1985 he won a
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
league and FA Cup double in his
Ben Bartlett is a Youth Coach
first year. During his six years in
Educator at The Football
charge, the Reds won the league
Association, working with coaches on three occasions and the FA Cup
in Academies at Professional
twice from 1985 to 1991.
Clubs. Ben’s previous roles include Kenny joined Blackburn Rovers
FA Regional Coach Development
in 1991 and turned the Second
Manager, Technical Director
Division side to eventual Premier
for Women’s & Girls’ Football at
League winners, before spells as
Chelsea FC and nine years in a
manager of Newcastle United and
range of coaching and development Celtic.
roles at Colchester United FC.
In his first full season back at
Ben has an excellent
Anfield, he guided Liverpool to the
understanding of the development Carling Cup to secure their first
needs of young players in seeing
major trophy in six years.
BEN BARTLETT
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
MANAGEMENT MATTERS
MANAGER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
Liverpool boss
Jurgen Klopp
was named
Manager of the
Month for November after the
Reds emerged as genuine title
contenders in this season’s
Barclays Premier League.
Our Elite Soccer cover manager
saw his side continue their
impressive start to the campaign
with three straight wins, hitting
four and five past (reigning
Premier League champions)
Leicester City and Hull City at
home, before defeating Chelsea
2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Even more impressive within
that winning run was that,
following the EFL Cup win at
Derby County on September
20th, six of Liverpool’s matches
had come away from home.
In English
football’s second
tier, Norwich
City manager Alex Neil took
the award after the Canaries
won four and lost one of their
five league matches during the
month.
It really should have been five
out of five with City leading at
Newcastle United on September
28th with 90 minutes showing,
but at 3-2 up they conceded twice
for only their second defeat of the
season.
Regardless, Norwich beat
Cardiff City, Wigan Athletic,
Nottingham Forest and Burton
Albion during the month to
secure their manager his award.
In Sky Bet
League One,
David Flitcroft
may currently be plotting a
solution to five straight October
defeats for his Bury side, but in
September the situation was
reversed as the Shakers saw
off Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town,
Swindon Town, Chesterfield
and MK Dons.
Bury also defeated Morecambe
in the Football League Trophy to
clock up 17 goals in a little over
three weeks, though move on a
month and Flitcroft’s mind will
now be firmly on rediscovering
that goalscoring form.
P5 W5 D0 L0
And finally
into Sky Bet
League Two,
where Plymouth Argyle Town
manager Derek Adams saw
his team win four and draw one
of their five matches.
Argyle came close to promotion
last season and are this year
tipped to get over the line, and
their convincing early-season
form ensured that Cheltenham
Town, Cambridge United,
Exeter City and Leyton Orient
would be put to the sword,
with only Hartlepool United
frustrating the Devon side in
claiming a credible 1-1 draw in
the south-west.
P5 W4 D1 L0
P5 W4 D L1
P3 W3 D0 L0 (LEAGUE ONLY)
CAREERPATH
... with Keith Curle, manager of Sky Bet
League Two side Carlisle United
You played under some charismatic
managers at the top level - that must have
stood you in good stead?
Yes I think that everyone you play under
influences you in some way, as you would
expect. For me it was always about manmanagement and accepting that different
players were inspired by different things.
I think those managers who are the best at
doing that are probably those who succeed,
4 NOVEMBER 2016
but by the same token I’ve been at very
strict and very relaxed clubs and seen huge
success in everyone following one method.
You always played the game with a passion
and ferocity. Has that rubbed off on your
players?
Certainly that passion is something we ask
for at the club, yes. You see some top-level
players who are so laid back, almost to the
point of not appearing to care. That’s not
true – they all do, but at the lower levels of the
game it’s a fine line between success and
failure in terms of players being employed
full-time or dropping into semi-pro, so it’s
a necessity for them to be able to show the
passion we expect.
The project at Carlisle is going
well. Are you happy with the
season so far?
Yes we’ve come through a few
stiff tests and the rewards are
clearly there if we can retain
our focus. Given Carlisle’s
geographical location it’s
always a bit more of a challenge
to attract players here, but
with the squad we’ve got
we’re definitely good
enough for promotion
and I do believe a club
of this size should be
operating at a higher
level.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp
Counter-pressing as
an offensive weapon
SET-UP
AREA
Extended half-pitch
EQUIPMENT
Balls, cones, goals
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Use of full squad
SESSION TIME
Warm-up 10mins,
Tactical rondo 20mins,
Tactical game 30mins
Overview:
This session is about the creation and application of the
counter-pressing moment as an offensive weapon. It looks
at recovering possession in the shortest way and time, by
creating ‘hectic situations’ in the opposition formation.
To this end, there are several principles that give us our
identity. We want to attack the opponent non-stop when we
have the ball, when we lose it and when the opposition have
it. Put another way, defending is our first offensive action.
Each exercise should have this character, directly
defined by our specific way of playing, where everyone
is responsible for everything in the form of modern total
football. In real terms, that means we have a team of 11 at
a time, each of whom is an attacking forward and each of
whom is a defender.
“We want to create
hunger towards ball
recovery, creating
chaotic moments
and controlling
these moments by
being ‘quick in mind’,
with orientation,
skill, precision and
connection.”
What do I get the players to do?
Tactical rondo
In a 12x12-yard area we use three
teams of three playing a 6v3
possession game, as shown (1).
There is no limit on touches and
the team that loses the ball should
react immediately, pressing the
other two teams.
The closest player applies intense
aggressive pressure and we defend
in a triangle, while the other two
players control the spaces around
the ball and anticipate. In this
sense, counter-pressing is the next
requirement, and to be clear, this
isn’t laid down as a proposal – it’s a
law!
What are the key things to look
out for?
In this exercise we want to create
the right focus towards the
essential part of the session. We
want to create hunger towards
ball recovery, creating chaotic
moments and controlling these
moments by being ‘quick in mind’,
with orientation, skill, precision and
connection. We want short intense
periods alternating with rest
periods so players stay fresh and
alert to absorbing information and
learning all the time.
The closest player goes 100% and
puts total effort into the press.
One player can always defend
two opposition by blocking the
line, pressing the ball carrier and
checking over the shoulder.
The two last yards of the press
define everything. As far as
aggression goes – yes please! – but
this must be controlled with an
anticipation of where the next pass
5 NOVEMBER 2016
1
2 The closest player
applies intense
aggressive pressure
1 Defenders work in a triangle
3 His two team mates
monitor and control spaces
around the ball in anticipation
of a pass between opponents
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
In this 6v3 tactical rondo we have set up whites and yellows against the three reds
will go, and with team mates
reorganising as a group
constantly and quickly.
In terms of typical mistakes,
we will sometimes witness
disappointment after losing
possession whereby players
offer no immediate reaction.
Development takes time – it
takes time for players to
make decisions based on the
collective interventions and
references. We don’t want a
linear or mechanical state
of play – a good and creative
development takes time.
A high-intensity and
counter-pressing team will
often make more mistakes
because we attempt more
and perhaps accomplish
more – ultimately, patience
and an expectation of
making mistakes is actually
okay.
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
JURGEN KLOPP: COUNTER-PRESSING AS AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON
How do I put this into a game
situation?
Using the full width of the pitch as
shown (2a), and in three quarters of
a pitch, one team of eight attacks a
team of six. The team of six has one
extra player who comes alive when
they win possession. The team
of eight works on their offensive
organisation, their protection and
the counter-pressing principle,
with players chased like they have
never been chased before! They do
this in 3x6mins bursts, with 4mins
rest in between, changing players in
between the rest periods.
To advance this, we can put two
‘sleeping’ players in, so creating
better and more complex
‘protection’.
Here, the offensive organisation is
to attract and then go. We want to
unbalance the two lines by quick
and early circulation (offensive
aggression), and our players
must overlap to create dangerous
crossing situations, as shown (2b).
In terms of typical mistakes, this can
often come down to there being no
protection, therefore the team of six
can easily find the sleeping player
and counter-attack and cover
spaces well. Players can forget
where the sleeping player is, and
there is also that disappointment
factor again in losing possession.
Instead, we want them to react,
viewing any loss of possession as an
opportunity (to win it back).
“A high-intensity and
counter-pressing
team will often make
more mistakes
because we attempt
more and perhaps
accomplish more –
ultimately, patience
and an expectation of
making mistakes is
actually okay.”
6 NOVEMBER 2016
2a
3 Defenders shuffle
across following the
movement of the ball
4 They prepare
to close down with
a specific view of
closing off angles
and runners
2 Moving the ball to
one side unbalances the
opposition lines
1 The team of eight (reds)
work on their offensive
organisation – in this example
it is to ‘attack then go’
2b
2 Again (now coming back
the other way), moving the
ball to one side unbalances
the opposition lines
1 Turnover of
possession comes
on the right flank
3 Attackers move
into any available
position in bursting
forward at pace
5 A goal is scored
4 Quick passing
creates a
goalscoring
opportunity
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
JURGEN KLOPP: COUNTER-PRESSING AS AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON
International
Champions Cup
Liverpool 4 Barcelona 0
3 Mane intercepts then
beats his man on the wing
1 Barcelona left-back Jérémy
Mathieu has the ball
August 6, 2016, Wembley Stadium
Liverpool struck early in
the second period of this
sell-out pre-season fixture
at Wembley as Jordan
Henderson made the telling
contribution in the middle
to finish off a rapid attacking
move that began with a
turnover of possession on the
flank. Notable within this was
Liverpool’s counter-pressing
and the ability to turn the
profits of that into a quick
goalscoring opportunity that
saw players flooding into
space.
The notion of panicking
opponents by rapid chasing
and attacking play is perfectly
exemplified here with two
Barcelona players making
mistakes that led to the
second goal in a match
Liverpool went on to win 4-0.
6 Barcelona defender Javier
Mascherano bundles the ball
into his own net as a direct result
of attacking pressure from
Henderson
7 NOVEMBER 2016
PHASE 1
2 He is closed down
quickly by Saido Mané
4 He plays a slick onetwo with Divock Origi
PHASE 2
5 Mané crosses inside for
Jordan Henderson who has
made a run to the near post
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
LUTON TOWN
Nathan Jones
Use of space and
switching play
1
6
2
6
2
SET-UP
AREA
Up to 35x50 yards
EQUIPMENT
Balls, cones, flat discs, goals
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
20 plus 2 keepers
Here, whites
are working as
defenders and
are closing down
individually in 4v1
situations looking
to win the ball.
Greens complete
four passes and
transfer the ball to
the red team
SESSION TIME
Switching play rondos 15mins,
8v8+2 25mins,
6v6+6 25mins
Overview:
This is a multidirectional session
designed to manufacture and work
on the use of space and switches of
play when in possession of the ball.
This session would be used early on
in the week, or as a reintroduction
or compensation load for nonregulars, with the idea of working
on a tactical topic without the need
to worry about specific positions or
situations that might apply on the
weekend.
What do I get the players to do?
Switching play rondos (4v1s/4v2s)
(15 mins)
We set this up using five groups of
four players, as shown (1), with one
group acting as defenders and four
groups occupying the four squares
shown above. The idea is to get the
players on 4v1 situations in their
own square where they have to
complete a minimum of four passes
before transferring the ball to a
different square. The defending
group has to try to intercept the ball
as quickly as possible.
Rotating teams every two minutes,
we count the number of transfers
before an interception occurs,
therefore identifying the two groups
with the most transfers conceded
as losing teams.
We can vary the conditions
between one- and two-touch to
alter the difficulty and increase
the quality on the switches of play,
as well as offering extra rewards if
transferring to the opposite square.
How do I progress the practice?
Firstly, the defending team is
allowed to fill all the boxes with a
defender. In the next progression,
8 NOVEMBER 2016
18
2
In the progression,
the defending
team is allowed to
put two players in
each square
18
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
NATHAN JONES: USE OF SPACE AND SWITCHING PLAY
the defending team is allowed to
put a maximum of two players in
the square where the ball is, with
defenders also positioned in the
middle areas in order to cut off the
switch of play to other boxes, as
shown (2).
What are the key things to
look out for?
Principally, we are looking
for the detail of the pass, good
movement, and the exploitation
of angles so that players are able
to transfer the ball from square to
square.
Players must communicate well,
with awareness of team mates
and opponents, and be alert to a
turnover of possession, be that
near to them or in a different area.
8v8+2 possession 4 Squares
(25 mins)
This is a multidirectional
possession practice with two
teams of eight players plus two
floaters, who try to support the
team i n possession, as shown (3).
The team in possession must
use the space wisely for keeping
possession with the idea of
switching the ball.
We will follow the principles of
not completing more than four
passes within the same area, with
the team in possession gaining a
point every time they successfully
complete those four passes and
switch the ball to another area.
We can limit the number of
players in each square if the group
is struggling.
How do I progress the
practice?
To progress, we will offer double
points if players are able to switch
or transfer the ball to an opposite
square. Moving on again we can
target a ‘double switch’ – four
passes on one square and the
transfer of the ball to a different
square, to then play a first-time
pass to a third square.
Finally, we get players to explore a
greater range of passing and will
separate the squares with a fouryard space in between, creating
9 NOVEMBER 2016
3
Grey floaters are working with the
blues to retain possession against
the white team
50
35
4
4
4
In the progression, the squares have been moved four meters apart, the ball
must not touch the ground between squares. A ‘double switch’ sees a four
initial passes made then a one-touch pass into a third area
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
NATHAN JONES: USE OF SPACE AND SWITCHING PLAY
dead areas where the ball cannot
drop, as shown (4).
How do I move this into a
game situation?
We now set up a 6v6+6 smallsided game with central goals, as
shown (5).
Two teams of six players compete
for possession of the ball inside
the area marked between lines,
with a third team of six used as
floaters on the outside. The goals
face opposite ways in the middle
of the pitch with a keeper in each,
dividing the area in two sub-areas.
Both teams inside the areas
are free to move their players
wherever they like, but they must
always adopt the principles of
having a shape and an organised
balance in using that space
cleverly.
To be able to score or attack the
goal, the team in possession has
to switch the play from one space
to the other at least once, to then
identify the best moment in setting
up a chance on goal.
To manufacture situations
the number of touches can be
manipulated with the teams
inside the area. So, for instance,
by going ‘all in’ we would be trying
to manufacture and use the 1v1s
produced inside the areas, or by
floaters on the outside. If insisting
on two touches, we would be
looking for switches of play
coming from wide; and if directing
play as one-touch, perhaps we’d
be keeping an eye out for players
supporting on the inside.
How do I progress the game?
As an initial progression we will try
to work on bigger switches of play,
and on the movement inside the
area to react to that, for instance
by allowing the outside player to
move the ball from out to in if he is
going to transfer the ball from one
area to the other one.
A second progression would
be to incorporate crossing and
finishing, with a directive that
shots on goal after a switch have to
come from the wide areas.
10 NOVEMBER 2016
The game encourages switch of play from one side of the pitch to another as a
prerequisite before a goal can be scored
5
50
6
50
35
35
In this progression, the channel determines that shots on goal after a switch must
originate from the wide areas
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
OMONIA NICOSIA
John Carver
Attacking play in
a 4-4-2
Overview:
This session looks at attacking play from set positions in a 4-4-2
formation, notably building up play from the back with patient passing
and switches.
It’s very important when doing this session to make sure you have all
players in their natural positions. This will help them make good and
proper decisions, especially when put under pressure.
The session is often one we’ll use in preparation for a game against a
team that comes to defend in numbers, or ‘park the bus’. It provokes
in players ideas and initiatives that should help them break down even
the most resilient backline, is rewarding and, if done properly, has a
tangible end product, namely a shot on goal.
SET-UP
AREA
Up to a full pitch
EQUIPMENT
Balls, cones, goals
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Up to 11v11
SESSION TIME
15mins per practice
1
We follow the passing
sequence as laid out, with
the ball moving from centre
to left to right and back to
the middle
Passing sequence
We set up as shown with a 4-4-2
team shape (1).
Starting down the right-hand side,
each player is one- or two-touch,
and we follow the passing sequence
as shown, from 1-9.
When the ball goes from side to
side it’s important all players slide
across the pitch in relation to its
position.
11 NOVEMBER 2016
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
“The session
is often one
we’ll use in
preparation for
a game against
a team that
comes to ‘park
the bus’.”
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
JOHN CARVER: ATTACKING PLAY IN A 4-4-2
Switching
The next part of the session has its focus even
more firmly fixed on switching the play, and
for this we will work with two balls at the same
time, bringing in mannequins also.
This diagram (2) shows switching play to
the left side. In the next phase we will switch
directly to the right by starting on the left.
Players must link up with quick and accurate
passing, feeding the ball to the next man and,
in the case of the wide players, negotiating a
chicane on their way to receiving and passing
to the next target.
2
4 Player 4 makes his way
through the chicane before
passing ahead
5 Now the move builds in
the opposite corner in the
same way
3 It is now moved to
player 3 who sets up
player 1 to switch the
play through the gates
to player 4
2 The ball is then set back to player 1
1 Player 1 passes to player 2
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
12 NOVEMBER 2016
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
JOHN CARVER: ATTACKING PLAY IN A 4-4-2
11v10
Now setting up an 11v10, as shown (3), the attacking team
embarks on patient build-up play looking to make a definitive run
through the left or right channel gate, both of which are positioned
on the edge of the box.
The no.11 and no.7 are the only two players allowed in the red zone,
and once the ball has gone through the gates, players 9 and 10,
plus the opposite wide player, can attack the 18-yard box, with one
defender permitted back to defend the cross.
If the defending team wins possession they must attack the end
zone towards the halfway line, otherwise, when the attack comes
to an end, the coach restarts the practice again by giving the ball to
the attacking team.
5 A cross from the left is finished well
3
4 Now attackers
break into the box
3 A ball
is played
into the left
channel for
the no.11
to advance
into
2 Blues combine
through the centre
1 The server starts with the ball
13 NOVEMBER 2016
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
JOHN CARVER: ATTACKING PLAY IN A 4-4-2
How do I move this into a
game situation?
We will now set up a game
situation, as shown (4), using a
full pitch and the specific 4-4-2
formation for both sides. We
want to see each element we
have practised already come
through in the game, with
players aware of their positional
roles and alert to the developing
situations in front of and behind
them.
What are the key things to
look out for?
First and foremost, in each
exercise we want to see players
holding their positions and
playing from there. We want
a good tempo and restricted
touches in order for the ball to
be moved around quickly, with
players offering team mates
options and good angles by
which they can pass to one
another.
The timing of runs is important,
and when the ball makes its way
into the final third we must see
designated attacking players
move quickly into the box to
support the attack.
4
The end game allows us to put into practice all of the detailed directives from the three exercises
14 NOVEMBER 2016
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Ben Bartlett
Possession with a
back three
1b
1a
3
FOOTBALL PHILOSOPHY:
BEN BARTLETT
I strongly believe in an ecological
approach to coaching which
considers:
• The game and players as evolving
systems
• An understanding that change in
one aspect will create ripple effects
elsewhere
• Addressing these consciously and
effectively
• Positive contributions of
adjustment to the environment
through external intervention
When the left-sided centre-back receives the ball he should be letting the ball come across him to punch a
pass up the line, not receive early and be forced to drive back the way he came and into midfield
2
SET-UP
AREA
Full pitch
EQUIPMENT
Balls, cones, goals
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
8v8
SESSION TIME
54mins
Overview:
This session is about aligning the
team tactical model with the roles
of the individual players within
the team, whilst accounting for
the current capabilities of those
individual players.
It is typically carried out across
90mins. We play six lots of 9min
games - this total of 54mins reflects
the fact that across the professional
game the ball is in play between
45 and 54mins of a 90min match,
so the physical demands on the
players are, generally, in line with
what they’ll be exposed to in a
match.
This piece of work supports
coaches to think about how to utilise
possession and build attacks within
a 3-5-2 system, with the design of
the practice and demands placed
upon the players challenging them
to fulfil the team model through
constraining their actions and
decisions. The centre-backs who,
within our tactical model, are
key to the building of attacks, are
challenging in different ways (both
through the dimensions of the pitch
15 NOVEMBER 2016
We want to see penetrative
passes forward that test the
opposition centre-backs
RECEIVING ON THE BACK
FOOT TECHNIQUE:
• Ankle locked, toe up, raise
foot about one inch from the
ground.
• Position the inside of your foot
to the incoming ball.
• Cushion the ball.
• Your touch set up a pass,
dribble or shot.
3
The right-sided forward is to threaten
outside or inside, but shouldn’t drop deeper
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
BEN BARTLETT: POSSESSION WITH A BACK THREE
and the nature of their individual
constraints) to enable us to generate
different ways to build attacks
through different parts of the pitch.
The Italy team at Euro 2016 were a
good example of a side who utilised
their three centre-backs in varied
ways to contribute to attacking.
Working backwards from the
vision
This is a practice that works
backwards from the vision for the
team and players. The session is
derived from the way we would
like the team to play, based on
an understanding of the current
capabilities of the players within
our tactical model. For example,
we have a right-footed light-sided
centre-half, so part of our vision is
for all three of the centre-backs to
recognise when to step into midfield
(either on the ball or to join off the
ball). Our left-sided centre-back
can tend to come back inside onto
his right foot (his ‘natural’ side), so in
this session he is ‘restricted’ to any
passes going from our defensive
third forward to be on one-touch.
This encourages him to let the ball
roll across his body and punch the
ball one touch forward on his left foot
as shown (1).
As an alternative mechanism, as his
only passing is ‘restricted’, he can
receive on his back foot and travel
with the ball into midfield, which
links well to our tactical mode (see
Back Foot Technique illustration).
The pitch on his side of the game
is narrower than on the other side
- this means he can’t play short
passes outside to our left wing-back
(who we want to play higher up the
pitch) but must look to go forward in
central areas.
Further,ourright-sidedcentrebackhasagreatrangeofpassing,
sothepitchcanbe wideronhisside
becauseweanticipatehecanlook
forpenetrativepassesforwardthat
stretchtheoppositioncentre-backs
eithertowardstheoutsidelineofthe
boxorbyplayinginbehind,asshown
(2).Histaskisto‘relate’thedecisionhe
makesandtheactionheperformsto
themovementoftheplayersinfrontof
him(whosedecisionsaren’trestricted
bythetask).
16 NOVEMBER 2016
The Blue
movement
The blue
no.7 must
make inside
movements to
threaten the
channel
The blue no.9 must make
opposite movement from the
blue no.7
6
5
9
7
The blue no.8
must clear the
space and join
in off the front
players
The blue no.10
must run off the
back of no.11’s
shoulder, whilst
supporting from
behind the ball
into the blue no.7
4
10
7
11
8
10
The blue no.6 is
conditioned to
ensure that any
passes out of the
defensive third
must be one-touch
The blue no.5
looks for a
channel pass
to no.7 or
no.10
4
6
9
5
The blue no.4 receives
on the front foot to face
forward
The blue keeper can only
distribute below head height
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
This is combined with the
front two looking to link
up with their movement.
The right-sided forward is
looking to threaten outside
or behind, as shown (3),
whilst the left-side forward
looks to work off a different
line to the right forward.
What do I get the players
to do?
The session takes the form
of an 8v8 small-sided game.
The pitch is ‘designed’ to
be narrow on one side and
wider on the other and the
parameters of the pitch
separate it into thirds. The
objective of the game is,
simply, to score more goals
We are not
playing with a
back three - the
right-sided
centre-back is
playing no.5 for
the blues
than the other team.
The first two games
provide the opportunity
for me to task the players
and continue to embed
our tactical approach into
practice. The middle two
games become fiercer and
more competitive as the
players begin to compete
and the intensity rises. The
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
BEN BARTLETT: POSSESSION WITH A BACK THREE
last two games are scenario-based.
The last time we delivered this, in the
first scenario our team was 2-0 down
and needed to come back to draw. In
the second scenario the score was
1-1. In both situations the decision
has to be made to settle on tactics to
play the game based upon how we
see the momentum of the game.
This provided a game context to the
decisions the players made. If, for
instance, in scenario 2, we decide that
the opposition have the momentum,
what decisions will we make? Will
we concede possession, drop off and
try to take the sting out of the game to
claim a draw, or will we seek to gain
and dominate possession, slowing
it down, tiring the opposition to
establish momentum before going on
to win the game.
These 9min games were concluded
with a 5min intervention where I could
work with individual players in relation
to observations of how they are getting
on with their task, and/or provide
opportunity for the players to discuss
tactics (perhaps in line with scenarios)
and agree how they intend to play.
These coaching tactics support the
physical, psychological and social
aspects of coaching and player
development to be inherent in the
practice activities and coaching
behaviours.
What are the key things to look
out for?
The aim is to ensure each individual
has a ‘demand’ placed on him that
challenges him to build attacks
within a 3-5-2 formation that, in turn,
aligns with our tactical vision of how
we would like the game to be played,
whilst being mindful of the strengths
and areas of development of the
individual players in our programme.
This constraints-based approach to
coaching supports the players to play
the game of football by its traditional
rules (so they don’t spend time
learning the practice… instead they
just spend time learning the game),
while the subtleties of the ‘design’ of
the pitch and the ‘demands’ on the
players enable certain decisions and
actions to emerge in line with our
tactical model.
17 NOVEMBER 2016
The pitch is wider on
one side than other to
stretch the red leftsided centre-back
The Red
movement
The red no.6 marks
ball side and send the
blue no.7 off the pitch
The red keeper tidies
up any balls angled
deep towards goal
6
The red no.4 secures
the space between the
red 5 and 6
The red no.5 focuses on
when to go short and
when to hold position
7
5
10
8
9
4
The red no.11
tracks the
run of the
blue 10 or
blocks the
forward pass
11
7
The red no.7
initiates the
counter-attack
10
6
The red no.10
focuses on when
to engage the no.4,
and when to screen
forward passes
4
9
5
Red forwards
playing with one
with drawn
The red no.9 keeps
play going one way
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
The players are tasked across one of three Rs:
RESTRICT… RELATE…
You must do this.
For example, for
the left-sided
centre-back, any
passes from the
defensive third are
one-touch
Look for the times
to recognise when
to play further
forward
REWARD…
‘If you do this, you’ll get additional goals’. For
example, if I want the team to build attacks more
gradually I tell them that every pass they make
in the opposition half before scoring equals that
number of goals if we score. For instance, five
passes in the opposition half and scoring equals
five goals. This way, players may look to keep
possession longer but still need to recognise the
time to score
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
BURTON ALBION
Sam Rose
Pressing and
possession
SET-UP
AREA
Full pitch
EQUIPMENT
Balls, bibs, cones, goals
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
15
1
Players keep
possession
under
pressure
Players press
and reduce time
and space
15
22 plus 2 keepers
SESSION TIME
100mins including transition
between areas, as:
2x3min reps per box
(x4 sets = 24mins)
4x6min reps/x4 sets (24mins)
3x8min reps/x3 sets (24mins)
3x8min reps/x3 sets (24mins)
Overview:
Ask any player and he will tell
you that, even within the training
environment, he wants to experience
the ebb and flow of the game and
spend time with the ball. With that
in mind then, this session involves
many of the components of the 11v11
game, it is relevant and applicable
to the situations a player or team
will experience in a game, and also
involves a high volume of ball contact
and repetition to develop technical
proficiency.
The session incorporates both
attacking and defending principles.
With the ball, players are developing
possession skills (ball manipulation,
individual and unit movement/
support and decision making).
Without the ball, they are developing
pressing skills (1v1s, pressure/cover/
balance and decision making).
The session is delivered in a range
of formats (group, squad and smallsided game), providing a range of
challenges and experiences for the
players.
Points-scoring within each practice
offers an element of competition
which enhances the tempo of the
session and further engages the
players with the session content and
aims.
The principles of possession and
pressing link with the playing
philosophy at our academy and are
at the heart of most of the sessions
I deliver with the players. A large
proportion of the sessions during
a normal training week will follow
similar formats and involve small
group work linking to squad practices
18 NOVEMBER 2016
Players create
time and space
2
25
25
Players make the
transition from
pressing to retaining
possession after
winning the ball back
Players press,
reducing time and
space after giving
the ball away
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
SAM ROSE: PRESSING AND POSSESSION
3
40
Players reduce passing
options and dictate
movement of the ball
after giving it away
40
Players attempt to
pass the ball into all
four white players
(to build possession)
after winning it back
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
and small-sided games. I work
to ensure sessions like these
incorporate a high volume of
technical outcomes as well
as any tactical focus linked to
future fixtures and opponents,
plus any additional physical
conditioning focus.
As a general rule, and to
reduce any waiting time for the
players, we will ensure that
plenty of footballs are available
to be fed into the practices
when required.
from blues. It continues
until blues make a tackle or
intercept, then we restart with
whites until time is up. Points
are totalled at the end of the
session and we will rotate
player roles.
Possession, pressing and
transition
This is set up as two 25x25-yard
boxes, with a 4v4v4 and a 4v3v3,
as shown (2). Points are scored
for eight completed passes, or
for each tackle or interception.
What do I get the players
The practice starts with two
to do?
colours in possession who
work to keep the ball under
Pressing boxes
pressure from the remaining
This is set up as four 15x15yard boxes, as a 4v2, a 4v3, a 3v2 colour (for instance, blue and
and a 3v1, as shown (1). Points whites versus yellows).
are scored for five one-touch
The practice continues until
passes (the whites) and each
possession is lost, a tackle is
tackle or interception (the
made or the ball is intercepted
blues).
from a pressing colour. The
The practice starts with whites team that loses possession
makes the transition to the
in possession who work to
keep the ball under pressure
pressing side against the
19 NOVEMBER 2016
remaining colours, and the
pressing colour transitions to a
possession side – for instance,
if blues lose possession, it
becomes whites and yellows
versus blues. Again, points
are totalled at the end of
the session and the winner
announced.
Building possession
This is set up as a simple
40x40-yard box, with 9v9+4
players, as shown (3). Points
are awarded for a team that
combines with all four side
players, and separately for
each tackle or interception.
The practice starts with blues
in possession, who work to
keep the ball under pressure
from yellows. It continues with
blues working to combine
with all four whites in one
continuous phase of play until
possession is lost, at which
point possession switches
over and roles reverse. Points
are totalled at the end of the
session and we will change
player roles at the end of each
time slot.
Pressing to score
Finally, we set up with a 55x40yard pitch and this is 9v9+4
with two keepers, as shown (4).
Points are scored for each goal
scored and for eight completed
passes.
The practice starts with reds in
possession, who work to keep
the ball under pressure from
whites, and look to score with
eight passes. It continues until
possession is won by whites,
who attempt to score. Play then
restarts with reds, with blues
acting as neutral players for
both teams. Points are totalled
at the end of the session and we
rotate player roles.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
SAM ROSE: PRESSING AND POSSESSION
4
Players keep
possession and
create height, width
and depth under
pressure from
whites
Players set up tackles
and interceptions in order
to create counter-attack
or scoring opportunities
40
Players support
the team in
possession to
create overload
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
55
What are the key things to
look out for?
In order for the session to flow,
players are required to be able
to work with a relatively high
level of technical proficiency
and fitness. Without this you
can expect a slower and more
stop-start session. Ideally, the
session will involve periods
of sustained possession
against the pressing team
interspersed with effective and
intelligent pressing.
A larger area or fewer players
will create more space to aid
the team in possession, with
the opposite of this favouring
the defending unit. You can
expect poor decisions in
possession leading to giving
the ball away as well as
ineffective and disorganised
pressing as the session
progresses to larger numbers
and areas. I would encourage
you to affect change with
the group and to reinforce
key principles. In addition,
there are some specific
20 NOVEMBER 2016
area, the number of players
included, plus the task and
constraints, and in doing
so vary the challenge and
experience for the player.
In possession principles
Making scoring points
When in possession, we are
more difficult (for instance,
looking for height, width and
more passes, tackles and
Out of possession
depth. Beyond that, the key
interceptions being required,
things are movement to create principles
and/or less time being
When out of possession we
space to receive, with special
available) provides a greater
want to see players pressing
attention paid to the receiving
with intensity to get close to the challenge for the players.
angle, the surface and the
ball both as individuals and as In order to increase the tempo
priority of the pass.
Players must decide whether a unit. The angle of the press in and develop quicker decisions
dictating movement of the ball in possession – and a higher
to stay on the ball or pass,
intensity out of possession –
must be good, as must be the
showing patience to either
we will introduce constraints
position of support to set up a
retain possession or create
tackle or make an interception. on the pressing team. For
opportunities to combine.
instance, ‘win the ball back
We also want to see excellent
Passing priorities to execute
pressure, cover and balance to within five seconds or within
a combination of passing, or
five passes’.
cancel overloads and contain
playing away from pressure
are essential, as is maintaining the ball, with players screening In addition, we will limit
players to one or two touches
passing options.
a good tempo in terms of ball
to encourage quicker passing
management.
combinations, although
How do I progress the
this will prevent players
practice?
Transition principles
from staying on the ball
As with any practice, in order to and will remove dribbling
We want to see players
transitioning from the creation progress or simplify, coaches
opportunities.
of space and time on the ball, to can manipulate the size of the
observations that can be made
to the conditions players find
themselves in, as follows:
the reduction of space and time
when not on the ball. Pivotal to
this will be communication and
a team’s ability to organise and
instruct, which must always be
clear and quick.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
LMA AMBASSADOR
Kenny Dalglish
Attacking
movement and
interplay
Move 1: quick wide
attack
What do I get the players
to do?
The coach starts the drill
by laying the ball to the
midfielder, who has two
strikers moving off the
mannequins and a winger out
wide.
The midfielder plays the ball
in to striker 1, whose double
movement means he moves
away then turns back sharply
to receive the pass.
The striker lays the ball to his
team mate who has moved
deep to support. Timing of
the pass is essential so that
striker 2 can play a threaded
pass between the centre-back
and full-back mannequins for
the wide man to run on to and
cross.
The two strikers and
midfielder make their way into
the box for the cross. We now
re-run on the opposite flank.
What are the key things
to look for technically/
tactically?
We must see good eye contact
between the midfielder and
striker 1. Passing moves are
conducted at pace and with
precision, so confident and
well communicated link-up
play is essential.
The double movement of
striker 1 is important in terms
of him losing his man – he goes
long only to come back short.
The wide man needs to time
his run well to ensure he
stays onside in front of the
line of mannequins, and a
good weight of final pass and
subsequent cross is essential.
21 NOVEMBER 2016
Overview:
This session helps improve movement and interplay between
midfielders and forwards. It’s designed to encourage understanding
between players through timing of runs, weight of pass, and
expectation of a team mate’s movement.
Building this understanding is vital for the creation of chances
as a fluid unit, and this session offers a number of set-ups and
progressions to test attacking and defending players in equal
measure.
Each move takes place on a half pitch with four mannequins placed 8
yards apart across the pitch, 10 yards outside the penalty box. These
represent the back four.
The wide man
breaks forward to
receive the pass
SET-UP
AREA
Half pitch
EQUIPMENT
Balls, mannequins, goal
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
5 (incl. a keeper)
SESSION TIME
7-8mins for each move,
3-4mins for each
progression
Striker 1 must be coached to
‘drop-off’ the defender before
coming to receive the ball
1
The second
striker drops
deep to receive
A floated cross invites
the three players to
attack the goal
2
A pass is threaded
through the channel to
the wide player
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
KENNY DALGLISH: ATTACKING MOVEMENT AND INTERPLAY
Move 2: quick central
attack
A lofted ball picks out
striker 1 with attacking
team mates looking to
support
3
In the central attack,
striker 1 feints forward
before spinning back
around the centre-back
Striker 2 rolls his
defender
The striker this time
pulls wider, resulting
in a deeper cross into
the centre
4
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
What do I get the players
to do?
The coach starts the drill by
laying the ball to the midfielder,
who opens up with a first touch
onto his right foot.
Striker 1’s movement sees
him come short first, before
spinning in behind the centreback. The striker is picked out
by the midfielder using either
an aerial ball or a pass along
the floor that is run on to.
22 NOVEMBER 2016
At this point the wide man
runs diagonally inside the
mannequin, while striker 2
also makes a charge for
the box.
Striker 1 either takes the ball
on himself to finish, or plays
square for one of the other two
inrushing players to finish.
What are the key things
to look for technically/
tactically?
Technique and weight of
pass again come to the fore,
particularly for the ball played
by the midfielder into the feet
of striker 1. This pass needs to
be perfect so the front man can
take it in his stride. Again, if the
striker goes too early he risks
straying offside. Assuming he
stays onside, it’s crucial that
his wide man and fellow striker
make positive and determined
runs into the box for a potential
finish. Again, we re-run on the
opposite flank.
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KENNY DALGLISH: ATTACKING MOVEMENT AND INTERPLAY
Move 3: measured
central attack
5
The midfielder
makes a positive
forward run
Both strikers drop,
looking to receive the
ball
Striker 2 passes forward
for striker 1 and the
supporting midfielder
6
The supporting
midfielder runs
from deep to form a
two-man attack
KEY
Ball
movement
Player
movement
Dribble
What do I get the players
to do?
In this move, we substitute
the winger for an additional
midfielder, positioned on the
other side of the coach.
To start, the coach touches
the ball to the midfielder, who
opens up and plays to striker
1, whose movement is once
again to fake going long before
coming back short.
Striker 2 moves around the
front to receive the lay-off from
his team mate. He then plays
23 NOVEMBER 2016
an immediate pass through
the back four for the second
midfielder to run on to, who
ensures he times his run well
so as to receive the pass in his
stride. The front two move
forward looking to score.
Once finished, we direct the
drill to the other side as in
previous developments.
What are the key things
to look for technically/
tactically?
The central passing move is
now tighter with an additional
midfielder, and this increases
the need for accurate and wellweighted passing throughout.
The double movement of
striker 1 remains important,
as does the timing of the
midfielder’s run breaking at
pace through the defensive
line, whilst ensuring he stays
onside.
How do I progress the
drills?
Each of these three drills can
be progressed by adding in
four defenders in place of the
mannequins, plus a holding
midfielder whose job it is to
interrupt the initial approach
play.
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EXTRA-TIME INTERVIEW : SEAN DYCHE
I
Reproduced with kind permission
of The Manager magazine.
n the three seasons that Sean Dyche
has been manager of Burnley he’s
seen his side promoted twice. But
his focus has not been on scorelines
alone. Dyche is building solid foundations
on and off the pitch, finds Sue McKellar.
People won’t follow you because
you tell them to; they’ll do it because
they want to. On meeting Sean Dyche
amidst the rubble that will soon become
Burnley’s new training facility, it’s clear
to see why the club is right behind him.
His enthusiasm and can-do attitude are
infectious and he has that valuable skill
of being highly articulate and confident
while also warm and entirely down to
earth.
But while Burnley is where Dyche
has found his feet, it is not where his
management journey started. His first
opportunity to manage, after calling time
on his 20-year playing career, came at
Watford, who he had played for only a
few years before. After several seasons
as under-18s coach and development
coach he became assistant manager in
2009 and, having already completed his
coaching badges while a player, he took
his UEFA Pro-Licence. Then, when the
manager’s position became available in
2011, Dyche was promoted to the top job.
FROM THE BOTTOM UP
Having been through Watford’s
development system as a player and then
worked his way up through its ranks as a
coach Dyche had enough insider insight
for it to feel like a natural progression.
“My path into management gave me
five great years of learning,” he says.
“When Aidy Boothroyd appointed me
as youth team manager I was doing
everything – helping to educate the
players, driving the minibus at 6am in the
morning to get to a game, putting together
the coaching schedule, working at the
Harefield Academy, which has a close
partnership with Watford – I was working
mad hours and covering lots of different
bases and I loved it.
“I learned how to coach from the bottom
up and gained a solid base of knowledge
and you need that in any industry,” he
says. “A friend of mine is a restaurateur
and his advice on how to progress in his
business is much the same; start at the
beginning, wash the pans, work front of
house, work in the kitchen and learn the
ropes.”
Even so, Dyche admits that nothing
can really prepare you for management
and no allowances are made for youth or
inexperience. “In those early days in the
24 NOVEMBER 2016
BUILDING
TOLAST
job it’s a steep learning curve and you get
judged very quickly,” he says. “When I took
over at Watford it had just had to sell some
of its most important players and so, 13
games later, having lost seven of those
games, we were fourth from bottom.
I was already being judged a failure by
some. Reality bites, but you have to keep
believing in your abilities and in your staff.
I reassured everyone that we were doing
the right things and we started building.”
Following a couple of important loan
signings by Dyche, results began to
improve and the all-important feel-good
factor returned to the club. Impressively,
after losing just seven matches from the
next 33, Watford finished a respectable
11th in the table.
HARSH REALITIES
It was to be an important period in
the young manager’s career, but
unfortunately a short one, as the season’s
end brought a change in ownership
for Watford and a subsequent change
in management. However, Dyche’s
response was to be pragmatic and
philosophical rather than disappointed.
“People lose their jobs in business all
the time, including my dad in the steel
industry and my brother at various points
in his career, so I wasn’t about to start
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Idistributed
aconfidential
questionnaire
totheplayers,
askingthem
tobebrutally
honestsothat
we’dallknow
wherewestood.
Imadeitvery
clearthatthey
didn’thaveto
sayanythingbut
thatthiswasn’t
anopportunity
thatwouldcome
aroundvery
often.
feeling sorry for myself,” he says. “I’m a
realist and I know things like this happen
in every walk of life and often to people
who aren’t as fortunate as me.”
Faced with being out of work for the
first time since he was 16 Dyche saw the
positives, making the most of the time to
relax and find some perspective. “I spent
valuable time with the family, did some
charity work, played golf and opened my
eyes to the world outside of football, which
I’d been immersed in for so many years.
Essentially I gave myself some head
space.”
After a short hiatus, which included
working with the England U21 squad at
the invitation of Stuart Pearce, Dyche was
appointed Burnley manager when Eddie
Howe left the Lancashire side to return to
Bournemouth.
REACHING OUT
In his interview for the role of Burnley
manager Dyche gave an in-depth
PowerPoint presentation that impressed
the board so much many suspected he’d
delivered it numerous times before. In
reality it was his first ever interview.
“I put what I’d learned on the LMA
diploma together with my football and
management knowledge and created
something that clearly worked well from
a business perspective,” he says. “I looked
at the club from various angles – how I
thought people outside the club viewed
25 NOVEMBER 2016
it, its feel and culture, and also what I
imagined it was like on the inside – and
then I looked at how I thought it could
change for the better.”
Dyche saw, for example, how
important it would be to strengthen
the connection between the team, the
manager and the people of the town
and to realign the culture of the club
with those people. He also advocated
having open lines of communication and
reaching out within the club to garner
people’s views on how things were at the
club and what might be ripe for change.
“When I first started at Burnley I
distributed a confidential questionnaire
to the players, asking them to be brutally
honest so that we’d all know where we
stood,” Dyche says. “I made it very clear
that they didn’t have to say anything but
that this wasn’t an opportunity that would
come around very often.”
After the feedback had been collated,
he and his team sifted through what was
non-negotiable and what they might
be able to address. “It then takes time
to implement changes, starting with
presenting to the group what you plan to
do,” says Dyche.
“You can’t assume that people will
understand or take on board your ideas
automatically, so it’s important to find a
common thread that will unite your team
members and give them something to
believe in.”
For some people a sense of belonging, a
‘kissing-the-badge’ mentality, is a strong
enough motivating force, but others
need more encouragement to engage
and align with the culture and ethos of an
organisation.
“Some people resist out of fear,
embarrassment or worry, so you need to
focus on addressing those three things,”
says Dyche. “You lead a bit, they follow a bit
and you see where it takes you. You may
have people who simply won’t engage, the
‘sappers’, and they need to go,” he adds.
“Then it’s a case of how many energisers
you can find to carry the team members
who sit somewhere in the middle.”
Clarity about what you plan to do and
what you expect from everyone is also
key, he adds, especially for new recruits
or when undergoing change. “I can
remember how important that clarity
was to me even as a youth team player
at Nottingham Forest under manager
Brian Clough,” he says. “Everyone
understood how the team was expected
to play. Conversely, I can remember
playing for managers who made things
overwhelmingly complicated by giving
too much information and confusing
messages. My approach as a manager
has therefore always been to give the
players clear information in a way that
they can easily understand it, to act with
honesty and authenticity and to lead by
example.”
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GROUNDWORK
At the same time as strengthening the
culture within Burnley, Dyche has also
had one eye on building for the future, in
a very literal sense. In his early days with
the club, instead of investing all of the
finances at his disposal on expanding his
squad he recognised that while players
can bring short-term results, sustainable
success comes from improving a club’s
very foundations.
“I could see that improvements were
needed to the club’s training facilities and
stadium and, thanks to the support of the
board, the council and the local people,
that new infrastructure is now well
underway,” he says.
With the business plan and finances
already in place, work was able to start
on the project as soon as planning
permission was granted, using local trade
wherever possible to support the local
economy. Once finished in late spring
2017, Burnley’s players and support staff
will have at their disposal the full gamut of
state-of-the-art training facilities, from a
physiotherapy suite, analysis equipment
and an underheated pitch to a high-spec
office for the coaching and development
staff.
“It will also be integral to our continued
youth development,” adds Dyche,
explaining that the academy and first
team areas will be separate to create
an environment of aspiration. “The
same thinking went into the layout of the
pitches,” he explains, “so young players
start off furthest away and then move
closer towards the first-team pitches as
they progress through the ranks.”
UPS AND DOWNS
After his first season with Burnley and a
record one for the club, it won promotion
to the Premier League, from which it had
been absent for four years.
“It caught everyone by surprise,”
says Dyche. “We had a fantastic run
of results, even though we had some
serious injuries, and momentum just
started to build to the point that you could
almost feel it in the air. During some of
the big matches towards the end of that
campaign there were times when I should
have been really nervous, but instead I felt
calm because there was an inevitability
about us winning promotion.”
Dyche credits the success of that
season to a mix of youth and experience in
the team and to the success of the club’s
coaches and medical staff in preparing
the players mentally and physically.
“We only had two centre forwards all
season, but it’s testament to the skill of
26 NOVEMBER 2016
tough Championship competition Dyche
knew he would need to be strategic, focus
on the side’s strengths and allow everyone
time to adjust. “The mood was good over
the pre-season and the players worked
hard, but when the new season started
it was clear that they were subdued and
would need to get used to playing in the
Championship again,” he says.
“As the manager you have to believe
that the cloud will lift, and it did. Then the
results began to improve, the players
started to enjoy the feeling of winning
again and it galvanised the team.”
A DESIRE TO NURTURE
“Wehadtorecover
emotionallyfromthe
disappointmentof
relegationandthe
subsequentlossofsome
ofourtalismanplayers,
andwehadtoreinvent
ourapproach,butdoso
withoutlosingthestrong
identitythathadserved
ussowellbefore.”
the backroom team and medical staff that
they remained fit throughout,” he says.
Confidence started to build in the club
and that momentum was an important
driving force behind Burnley’s first
promotion to the Premier League. But
Dyche says it was even more of a factor
in the second promotion, in the 2015/16
season.
This time, though, the whole campaign
had a very different, more business-like
feel as it followed relegation back to
the Championship. “We had to recover
emotionally from the disappointment
of relegation and the subsequent loss
of some of our talisman players,” says
Dyche, “and we had to reinvent our
approach, but do so without losing the
strong identity that had served us so well
before.”
Faced with a reduced budget and a
Now back in the top flight Dyche faces the
challenges of competing in a field where
the disparity in finances between teams
can be enormous. But he recognises that
while money can be incredibly powerful
it’s far from all important.
“Leicester’s achievement didn’t
come out of nowhere,” he says. “The
owners have shown real commitment
to the club and have invested heavily and
strategically to develop it. It’s a great story
and gives us belief that if you have a plan
and give it time to take effect it can produce
results.”
With the long view always in mind
Dyche is committed to helping each
individual within the club work on their
strengths and weaknesses. While he says
he’s always been driven by a desire to win,
he also takes a lot of pleasure in helping
people to develop. “It’s a great feeling
when you help someone and get nothing
in return,” he says. “It’s not about getting a
pat on the back; it’s about the satisfaction
you get from giving help. That’s what I
want to do, honestly and authentically.”
He does this, in part, by sharing his own
experiences as a player with his team so
that they can learn from his mistakes. “As
a player I would let a bad experience eat
away at me, because I was afraid of letting
people down,” he says. “I don’t want my
players to feel like that. I try to help them
maintain some perspective, learn from a
bad result and then move on.”
In the same vein, Dyche is not one for
singling out players for criticism or name
calling in front of the group, because to
do so, he says, would simply be to let off
steam rather than helping the players.
“I can be tough when the situation calls
for it, but my priority is to help the players
improve and do so without eroding their
confidence or trust,” he says. “After all,
when you have the bond of trust you have a
chance of achieving anything.”
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