EX Manager Marc Wotte Speaks

[ART]

A decent article on Marc Wotte and Dutch football has appeared online. Worth a read

Didn't realise he'd been Van Gaal's assistant.

 

English version

 

A lot of European clubs have Dutch managers and coach for their first team or the youngsters. According to you, why?

 

Dutch coaches are well qualified in Holland at KNVB. They have since long time one of the best Coach Education and Pro Licence Program. It takes you at least 5 years to gain that qualification.

 

They are also extremely well ‘tactically educated’ in the 4-3-3 style, the most successful tactical system in modern world football but from 16 years and older all kind of tactical variations including 4-3-2-1 (diamond midfield) are used and practiced especially if there is a shortage on typical wing players.

 

They have a great deal of flexibility because the lack of big money in Dutch football makes them creative and not afraid to start young players as part of the philosophy and talent management throughout the club. They speak the languages easily because of school (english+french) and of geography (german).

 

Is it a cliché to say that the technique is the essential thing about the formation in Netherlands

 

If I had to describe a lot of Dutch players, my first thoughts are creativity and unpredictable. Do you agree?

 

Yes and it is because of the freedom in the development of the kids to be allowed to dribble and to encourage ‘one vs one’ in training and the game. Also Wiel Coerver was Dutch and his Individual Training Program is key and used in every training from 5 years old.

 

Is it a cliché to say that the technique is the essential thing about the formation in Netherlands. The technical skills are key to become world class, but also creating intelligent players. Every training in Dutch Youth Football is too improved technical skills and making the right decision. I call this »not only to drill the skill but also train the brain »

 

You managed a lot of clubs in Netherlands and around the world. Did you keep the same ideas at every club or you had to adapt yourself to the different clubs and country?

 

Many of the Clubs I played 4-3-3 or a variation on that formation. However in Qatar and Egypt I had to change my ideas especially in the beginning due to the culture and the short pre-season period. 4-3-1-2 or 3-4-1-2 was used in those clubs (Ismaily Sc and Al Ahly Doha).

 

You were at Southampton when they tried to escape from the relegation in League One. Do you have any regrets about this experience? If I’m correct, you had to leave because of the financial problems.

 

No regrets, it was a great club to work for both for the Academy and the first team, they have a terrific history in Elite Youth Development and Talent Management and also a great fan base.

 

Unfortunately the club was in bad financial situation, we had to play many kids like Adam Lallana and Morgan Schneiderlin, which was very good for them and the future of Saints FC.

 

Honestly, did you think the young players like Adam Lallana or Morgan Schneiderlin could reach the top level at the time?

 

You are never sure of the ultimate top level of a youngster even with Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder or Arjen Robben. It was always the question if they would make the mental and physical growth to become who they are at the moment. Lallana and Schneiderlin both at 18 showed very good technique and decision making, but they were also in love with football. It was a pleasure working with them and see them develop year after year.

 

Louis van Gaal is a perfectionist on the performance but also always trying to praise players so most sessions are really ‘alive’ and competitive where players play for points or something funny.

 

You told me that you’ve also worked with Louis van Gaal, and you liked it visibly. Could you share your memories of this period?

 

Best manager I have worked with. He thinks on a fantastic tactical level, always trying to improve the performance individually and for the team. His organization is very good but he is also a very personal empathic coach and great college that I have known since over 25 years since we both competed in National U19 League as starting coaches.

 

Louis is a perfectionist on the performance but also always trying to praise players so most sessions are really ‘alive’ and competitive where players play for points or something funny. Lot of excitement! He is very vocal in a encouraging way! Best memory was the job interview I had to do at his home before I got the job !

Scottish football

 

It was the first time you worked as a performance director of a country. What were the reasons for this choice? Did you need a change at the time?

 

I had some disappointing experiences abroad as a manager so when was approached by Scottish FA, I thought it was the right move for me.

 

When you arrived in Scotland, what was your assessment about the football here?

 

It showed that it needed improvement especially the grassroots and Elite Youth Development but also Club Football was struggling and almost all clubs were kicked out of Europe in the early qualification rounds apart from Celtic.

 

In what your job was all about exactly? I guess you had to watch a lot of games and training session.

 

Yes. Elite Youth Player Development from U11 until 21. Managing Program and Philosophy Nat Youth Teams U21-19-18-17-16-15-14 and all Coaches involved.

 

Overseeing Talent ID, Performance Analysis, improving pathway into first team, upgrading Pro Youth Club Academies, starting and overseeing the 7 Regional Elite Performance Schools in Scotland..

 

I read in various books that the SFA wanted to develop football in the Highlands. Was it correct? With the progress of Brora Rangers in the Highland Football League and of Inverness in the Scottish Premiership, it’s a great thing for this area which hasn’t got a lot of people.

 

Highland Clubs are doing well considering their lack of registered players. Yogi (John Hughes) is a top coach doing very well. Ross County has made good progress over the last 5 years under Derek Adams but is struggling a bit now. Brora Rangers are very hard to beat up there. SFA wants to help them but due to lack of enough young talented players and funding it did not happen yet.

 

Steven Pressley is the most impressive young manager but Robbie Neilson is very talented as well

 

What was your best discoveries in Scotland (players, clubs, managers, people…)?

 

We have discovered a lot of kids but I think James Forrest, Andy Robertson, Lewis MacLeod and Ryan Gauld were outstanding young Scottish players but expect players like Aidan Nesbitt (17 years old, Celtic) and Scott Wright (17 years old, Aberdeen) also to step up soon based on their National Team U17/19 Performances.

 

Scott Booth and Scot Gemmill showed great progress as coaches and I also liked working with John Collins a lot as we shared many views and I like him at the training ground working with players.

 

Steven Pressley is the most impressive young manager but Robbie Neilson is very talented as well. John Hughes and Alex Neil are showing you can change a philosophy at a club to the passing style and have good results as well. Ian Cathro is a very promising guy, he needs to step up and manage/coach himself soon to see if he can become really good.

 

On a personal level, are you pleased with yourself for the job you did?

 

Never happy enough but in my opinion we have made huge steps building for the future of Scottish Football yes.

 

Scottish football hasn’t got a lot of money but Aberdeen is now debt-free like Dundee United. A lot of fans want to be involved in their club (Motherwell, Hibernian). Do you think the situation is better than when you came here?

 

Not really, although McNamara and McInnes have reasonably good results, too many clubs have financial problems. Dundee United has sold very well especially likes of Goodwillie, Robertson and Gauld but I’m not sure it is a continuous situation. Aberdeen is well organized with good management.

 

When Hearts, Hibernian and Rangers will come back at top level I expect and hope Scottish Football will be financially more viable.

 

Improving grassroots football from 5-11 years old there is a big gap with the rest of Europe in this part of Youth Development, also the facilities need to improve quickly. Number of 3G pitches should multiply

 

We never talk a lot about women’s football but Glasgow City is terrific and seems to progress every year. What do you think about the situation of women’s football in Scotland?

 

Anna Signeul with A Squad, Gareth Evans U19s and Pauline Hamill U17s are doing fantastic with the Women and Girls. All credits to them! Eddy Wolecki benefits of this good work and progress too and has done a great job in the Champions League, unfortunately there is a lack of serious interest for these games to attract big attention or sponsors.

 

What are the improvements which still need to be made in Scottish football in general?

 

Improving grassroots football from 5-11 years old there is a big gap with the rest of Europe in this part of Youth Development, also the facilities need to improve quickly. Number of 3G pitches should multiply.

 

As a Dutchman, I’m sure you have something to say about Virgil van Dijk and his outstanding performance with the Celtic…

 

Fantastic development and also scoring goals now, which actually is not so strange as he started as a striker in Holland! He will play soon in English Premiership.

- See more at: http://www.hat-trick.fr/mark-wotte-le-manque-dargent-du-football-neerlandais-rend-les-managers-creatifs/#sthash.ARyhA0PF.dpuf

 

http://www.hat-trick.fr/mark-wotte-le-manque-dargent-du-football-neerlandais-rend-les-managers-creatifs/

Edited 11 December, 2014 by ART

[van Hanegem]

Wotte is talking BS. Dutch football is in trouble and even the KNVB confirms this by initiating a meeting for all our famous players and coaches to get things turned around, even our god Cruyff will come down from his mountain in Barcelona. I can't imagine Wotte being invited. We had this fool at Feyenoord some 10 years ago and things went completely down the hill...

[eurosaint]

I gave up after the third paragraph, hope I didn't miss anything dramatically important

[eelpie]

Wotte is associated with our darkest days, but the financial situation we were in did mean that Adam and Morgan got invaluable first team experience. He also worked for nothing I believe which kept us going before Marcus bought the club, so he has an important place in Saints history.

[van Hanegem]

Wotte is associated with our darkest days, but the financial situation we were in did mean that Adam and Morgan got invaluable first team experience. He also worked for nothing I believe which kept us going before Marcus bought the club, so he has an important place in Saints history.

 

It's a good thing there wasn't any money back then otherwise it would all have gone down the drain. With Wotte at the helm Feyenoord got an incredible amount of more than 70 players with a contract and believe me, it was hard to get a decent team on the pitch...