- Title: SWITZERLAND-UEFA COACHES (O) Top soccer coaches in Europe hold forum at UEFA
- Date: 4th September 2014
- Summary: NYON, SWITZERLAND (SEPTEMBER 3, 2014) (REUTERS) BANNERS AND GROUNDS OF EUROPEAN HOUSE OF SOCCER ARRIVALS: CHAIRMAN SIR ALEX FERGUSON, ARSENE WENGER, MANUEL PELLEGRINI, FILIPPO INZAGHI
- Embargoed: 19th September 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Switzerland
- Country: Switzerland
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVABC1784NJJVNYIGXC1BDZIMVWW
- Story Text: Elite soccer club coaches in Europe held their 16th UEFA forum on Wednesday and Thursday (September 3 and 4) at headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland and agreed how good it was to get together for such meetings.
They discussed big issues affecting their club competitions and proposals to enhance the game in Europe, a week before the general assembly of the European Club Association.
Forum chairman Sir Alex Ferguson, formerly of Manchester United, is UEFA's coaching ambassador and after the meetings he praised the Champions League.
"I don't think there's been great tactical changes. There was a, I think, consistent formation: the 4-2-3-1 behind, you know. I think that was obvious at one time and then, there there was little changes, like Juventus putting three centre-backs and -- but not great tactical changes. I think the consistency of the UEFA Champions League is that the pitches are still great, that's very important; the standard of the game has been excellent over the past few years. We saw a great final again, a really intense, real 'derby' final, which we've not had for -- I don't think we've ever had a derby final. So, there was great positives about last year."
Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini said the forum was good for personal development as well as improving the game.
"Well, I believe it's very important for all coaches to come together like this and discuss various themes, various problems that they see in their field every year. And apart from a work reunion, I think it's also spending time together, whereby we talk about different things and that's always very useful for the development of each of us," said the Chilean.
Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas, now with Zenit Saint Petersburg, said it was good that the top coaches were part of the decision-making process.
"You know, I think through, throughout time we've seen some, some impact from things that we have discussed here and I think we will continue to see it. You know, not only, you know the cleaning up of yellow cards for the presence of players in the finals; the Europa League winner being present also in the Champions League qualification for next season; the importance of the away goals, should they be kept or not for the following seasons; organisation of the calendar. So these are always things that we discuss and from these discussions, you know, doubts and assurances are raised that can be taken to the Executive Committee for decisions for the future. So it is always, always positive and good for us to be part of this decision-making," said Villas-Boas.
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