FIFA launches Wenger-led global coaching, talent project | Inquirer Sports

FIFA launches Wenger-led global coaching, talent project

/ 09:15 PM January 31, 2020

Arsene Wenger Fifa

Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe (C) and former Arsenal football team manager Arsene Wenger (R) take part in a football match with children from the ‘Premiers de Cordee’ Association at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 22, 2019. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)

ZURICH — FIFA launched a global program led by Arsene Wenger on Friday to help close the gap on Europe’s dominance in football by improving coaching and identifying young talent.

It’s the first major project for Wenger since the former Arsenal manager was hired in November as FIFA’s head of football development.

Article continues after this advertisement

FIFA said it will offer member federations an expert analysis of their “high-performance ecosystem” in men’s and women’s national teams, domestic leagues, scouting projects and academies.

FEATURED STORIES

“The difference in the level of play between Europe and the rest of the world has become bigger,” Wenger said, suggesting some federations were too focused on senior national teams instead of developing young players.

Europe provided all four semifinalists at the 2018 World Cup, and four different European teams — France, Serbia, England, Ukraine — won the past four editions of the men’s Under-20 World Cup.

Article continues after this advertisement

Wealthy European clubs also won 12 of the past 13 Club World Cup tournaments and typically sign the best prospects worldwide.

Article continues after this advertisement

At the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the powerhouse United States was joined by seven European teams at the quarterfinal stage.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We need more youth competitions to identify talent, offer them a pathway and develop coaching,” Wenger said.

FIFA announced the project after Wenger led a five-day workshop of technical officials from continental and national football bodies in Doha, Qatar. It seeks to improve education of coaching mentors and technical directors.

Article continues after this advertisement

Federations which work with Wenger’s team experts will get a report “benchmarking their technical ecosystem against global standards,” FIFA said.

The Zurich-based organization will then “implement tailor-made technical programs” starting in 2021.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Arsene Wenger, Fifa, Football, Sports

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.