George: Joe Habib asked: 'would it be possible or how would it be possible to implement a football model and youth system in Scotland similar to the Spanish set-up? Choosing players based on technique and skill rather than just strength and athleticism. Would this work in Scotland?Can Scotland learn to play like Spain, with an emphasis on technique over physique, and if, so how would it be possible?'
Guillem: Scotland,
England and other countries, need to stop looking to abroad. Whatever you want
to do, whatever style you want to play, it is all about the coaching; teaching
the kids how to play with the ball. Although there is perhaps a culture of
'play it long' or 'be physical', this can change and it may take a generation
or two but coaches must try to teach the kids to understand the game and the technique
required to play the game.
In Spain, Barcelona pick small, technical players and
Espanyol pick big, physical players- neither is right or wrong. Around about 10
- 12 years old is where the process of selection starts and there are
differences and the important thing is: who is making the decisions on the
players being picked.
George: Is it
fair to say that Messi is a product of Barcelona, or could Messi have developed
in to the player he is anywhere else in the world?
Guillem: Messi
has one move and it would work everywhere- he is like a rock falling down a
hill, he just picks up speed and goes past or through obstacles. He picks the
ball up in the last third and runs at players towards the goal- Barcelona have
not changed this, it's what he has always done, rather Messi has changed Barcelona.
In Britain, he would have been a winger but perhaps coaches would have
misunderstood his talents- it was Guardiola who recognised his talents and put
Messi at the centre of the team. Barcelona is a team built around Messi's
talents and not the other way around.
George: All the
best teams: Milan, Liverpool, Barcelona have had an identifiable style with
their success. Would you agree and how important is having a style/philosophy
to being not only successful but hailed as a great side?
Guillem: I completely
agree. However, you don't always get it right the first time, you have to make
mistakes to learn, and what you need is a philosophy to work toward- that
allows you to get players and coaches who fit your team.
With Barcelona it wasn't 'A-B-C: things all worked', they
got it right, got it wrong and got it right again. What Barcelona did get right
was having all the youth teams, right through to the first team, playing in the
same way. They also got the best players around. When you get this right you
end up winning.
But a philosophy is not something that you get today and it
starts to work tomorrow, you will be tested when things go wrong and you have
to stick with your philosophy, your plans. This is what Barcelona has done.
George: With that
in mind: if you were to manage a team, how would they play?
Guillem: You have
to want to be the protagonist, you want to entertain people. To do this, you
have to build from the back. You need centre-backs who can pass and
centre-midfielders who get into the opposition box. Although, I'd like my team
to play with a bit more pace than certain years of Guardiola's team.
George: At my
club I work with youngsters and wonder is it more important to emphasise
learning or winning? And at what age should results start to matter?
Guillem: Results always
matter. Even from five years old the result counts BUT it is not, cannot be,
the most important thing. You need to strike a balance, which is difficult to
do, but you have to look at it like this: are you a professional club who trains
professional players or a club that wants to develop people?
Being a professional player is something completely different
but as a young player you learn so many things, for example discipline and
delivering your ambitions. Even at Barcelona, coaches want their teams to win.
George: Finally,
with it being the festive season- what are your favourite memories of Xmas/New
Year?
Guillem: I love the tradition, to be with my family and seeing the start of a new year. Although, I remember one year I was working in Liverpool and everyone goes out of the pub before coming back in at midnight- I thought this was crazy but good!
Guillem and his guest Albert Ferrer (ex-Barcelona) and Gab Marcotti were kind enough to sign a Giffnock SC shirt for us.
What do you think of Guillem's thoughts? Sound off in the comments section!
