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Italy's Coverciano Is Key To Its Soccer Success |
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Written by Alessandro Nicolo
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Sunday, 23 March 2008 |
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Following a succession of dismal international performances during the
post-war era, Italy sought to re-establish itself as a soccer power.
Created in 1958 and located in Florence, Coverciano is the technical
and training ground for the Italian Football Association (FIGC) and has
since become the foundation and essence of modern Italian soccer.
Described as an academic institution for aspiring coaches and referees, Coverciano is a multi-faceted facility that includes five soccer pitches (fields) and a fitness center.
Rahter than focusing on the simple x's and o's, Coverciano's game plan explores all facets of the game; fitness, nutrition (diet), psychology, technique and tactics. Without a coaching license from Coverciano, one cannot hope to manage clubs in Serie A or B.
The overall philosophy of the academy is explained by Franco Ferrari in Gianluca Vialli's 'The Italian Job. "Our approach is both exploratory and pedagogic. We want them (coaches) to be, as much as possible, comfortable with any kind of system so that they can pick the one that they believe suits them best."
In this way, it's not hard to see how those who pass through the hallowed grounds at Coverciano are taught to become scholars and students of the game. In many ways, those who attend the academy come to enjoy treating soccer as a type of Rubix cube rather than a static sport. Despite soccer's simplistic designs, Coverciano recognizes soccer isn't necessarily a zero sum game. There is no one right way to manage a soccer club in the modern era.
The benefits to such a facility are clearly appreciated and noticeable. Consider what Marcello Lippi had to say to Vialli, "That's what I found truly about Coverciano, the exchange of ideas between myself and my colleagues."
One can question the importance of footballing academies and their usefulness. However, this would be foolish to permanently accept as an article of faith in today's soccer environment. No soccer nation striving for excellence can afford to ignore its potential benefits. Holland, Germany and France's Le Centre Technique Nationale Fernand-Sastre are all examples of successful soccer nations who adhere to the concept of an academy. The proof of their success is in each nation's track record in the last 50 years. Combined between them (including Italy) they have won eight World Cups and reached the finals an impressive 16 times. In addition, they have combined for seven Euro's and 10 finals.
England for its part has managed one lone World Cup in 1966. Not enough for a country with England's pedigree and potential. Yet, it remains somewhat closed if not aloof to the idea. The FA did flirt with it and launched the National Football Center but so far the facility is collecting dust wallowing in a sea of corruption and incompetence.
Ironically, it will be left to a Coverciano graduate in Fabio Capello to try and lift the battered glory of English soccer to new heights.
Academies such as Coverciano cannot guarantee victory. They can, however, commit to excellence; tocreate an atmosphere that is conducive to the exchanging of ideas. In doing so, it lays the foundation to success.
So far, it's hard to dispute the results.
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