Freiburg (dpa) – In the opinion of the long-time star coach Arsène Wenger, the requirements for high-class football coaches have changed extremely in recent years. Your work has shifted “from your legs to your head,” said the 72-year-old on Tuesday at the International Coaches’ Congress of the Association of German Football Instructors (BDFL) in Freiburg.
“When I started, I was alone with the team. You had to show how the free-kicks should be shot, how the runs go, you had to do the fitness training. You had to do everything,” said Wenger, who from 1984 to 1987 the French club AS Nancy and later the English first division club FC Arsenal for 22 years. The Frenchman is now Director of Global Football Promotion at World Association FIFA.
“Today it’s more about communication, about conviction. You have to manage the media, convince the players. Today the player is a millionaire and wants to be treated like one. You have to convince people,” Wenger explained the changing job profile. “Today the coach is a strategist. He has to withstand pressure and make the right decisions on matchdays. It’s different.” Public pressure and expectations are greater than before.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220524-99-411663/2
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