Going Dutch

The 17 coaches and managers currently studying for the UEFA Pro Licence would openly admit that one of the most attractive elements of the course is that it allows for the sharing of ideas.

They are rather candid about the different coaching methods they have found useful or certain books and manuals which have inspired them. It is therefore, perhaps, inevitable that a former Pro Licence graduate was keen to return to the course to impart his wisdom, five years after receiving his certificate.

Steve McClaren, who has enjoyed two successful seasons at FC Twente, flew back to England to share his experiences of football in the Netherlands as part of the course’s ‘midseason masterclass’. He spoke with a passion about the Dutch football culture, he was very complimentary about their discipline and he praised their coaching philosophy.

He looked at the differences between the English and the Dutch game and their approach to coaching and tactics. He described the Dutch love of 'tough balls' a coaching practice which requires players to control an extremely firm ('tough') pass. He told the group that each player at Twente has their own personal development plan and that he was really impressed with their game intelligence. McClaren also saluted the concentration and focus of all Dutch players in game situations and explained that every club side in Holland marks man-for-man in what is best described as a 4-3-3 formation.

His seminar gripped the group and prompted a host of questions at the end, questions he was more than happy to answer.

McClaren’s was one of a number of guest presentations which the 17 coaches were privy to at Wokefield Park in Reading and the presentations combined to cover such diverse factors as football agency, tournament strategy and planning, football overseas, international football and scouting.

Rather than focusing purely on coaching, the Pro Licence, football’s top qualification, concerns itself more with the aforementioned elements as well as contract law, managing upwards and how to handle the media, topics which are aimed at creating a better equipped coach.

“I think education is the key to improvement,” said McClaren, on the benefit of the Pro Licence.

“I have always been an advocate of coaching badges and qualifications, but also gaining the qualifications with experience and I think that’s the key thing. It’s great having a get together like this, with all the speakers coming in and sharing their experiences and that’s what it’s all about.

“I remember being on the other side of the fence and being in awe of some of the coaches and their experiences. It’s a great qualification to have, but you’ve also got to go out and get some experience with it.”

McClaren armed himself with the Pro Licence in 2005 and has so far been a hit in Holland, guiding Twente to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie (the Dutch First Division) and a Cup Final appearance in his maiden season overseas. Twente currently sit second in the Eredivisie, three points behind PSV and six clear of Ajax.

The former Middlesbrough and England Manager said he was inspired by listening to certain coaches early in his career and hopes this year’s Pro Licence intake can take away some useful information from his talk.

“I have always been interested in coaching and have been motivated by good coaches since my days at Oxford,” said McClaren, who sought counsel from the late Sir Bobby Robson when he took over the reins at Twente.

“I always said that I’d like to give something back if I ever had valuable experiences and I think I’ve had that, good and bad. I’m happy to share that and help these guys along the way.

“In terms of advice, I’d just tell them to gain any experience in coaching; coaching individuals and teams, whether that’s at U10 level or Premier League level; just go out there and get experience because anything, good or bad, will only make you better in the future.”

McClaren was also full of praise for the way the Pro Licence is structured, having been a student of the course and now a guest speaker on it.

“You can always improve the quality of the course and I know John Peacock [The FA’s Head of Coaching and the Pro Licence Course Director] is forever going around the world and studying other Pro Licences, trying to improve this one and that’s why it’s such a great course, it’s constantly evolving.”