Perthshire football coach watches Barcelona

Dec 24 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TOP women’s football coach Eddie Wolecki enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at the Barcelona youth academy.

Perth man Eddie, who is head coach with leading team Glasgow City, savoured a three-day trip to Catalonia to assess a system which has produced 75 percent of a Barca side rated one of the best ever in world football.

Eddie secured an “access all areas” pass to study in depth the Spanish champions’ youth set-up.

He said: “It was a memorable trip. It was amazing to see at such close quarters just how Barcelona have embraced youth development. It’s no accident that they produce some of the world’s most gifted footballers.”

With Scottish football currently assessing plans for another shake-up, he admits there’s much to be learned from Barcelona.

He said: “I went to see sessions for all age groups at the training centre. The way the kids play is designed to mirror the first team style of play. It is all about passing and moving.

“Unlike in Scotland, they aren’t obsessed with height. They only bother about that when looking for central defenders further down the line. I suspect Lionel Messi would never have made it out of the amateurs here because he’d have been deemed to be too wee!

“What struck me more than anything was just how disciplined it all was.

“They take kids from the age of six upwards. They play four quarters of 18 minutes. They don’t pay much attention to defending. Youngsters are given numbers and rotate around a 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 formation. The bulk are local but their scouting system stretches across Spain, Europe and beyond. Remember, they lured Messi from Argentina and I saw several youngsters from Cameroon during my visit.

“The club demands a minimum of 50 percent of the first team players are home grown. Right now it’s much higher. They are packed with players who have emerged from the ranks, including Puyol, Valdes, Pedro, Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta.

“And like so many of the top teams down the decades that forges bonds out on the pitch.

“In the youth set-up they have a three strikes and you’re out rule so kids don’t get out of hand. And parents are also kept at arm’s length during games and training sessions. Back here it can be chaotic at times.

“The coaches were really welcoming and were happy to answer all the questions I was throwing at them. I had been lucky enough to visit before but you learn so much. This is the best club in world football and my aim is to tailor their philosophy and training methods to help Glasgow City.”

Wolecki, who saw Barca thrash Real Sociedad 5-0, said: “I like to think I am always full of ideas and plans but this has got me focused 100% on what is right for the development of Glasgow City Football Club. My philosophy has not changed, but there are a few extra areas now that I am looking at tweaking.

“It was an honour to be a guest at Barcelona and I will certainly be going back again sometime in the not too distant future.”