The goal is to bring up players for the first team
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
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Shakhtar U21 head coach Fernando Valente gave an extensive interview to shakhtar.com
- Mister, tell us about your coaching path and philosophy.
- I would like to thank the club for the wonderful opportunity to be here and enjoy the team spirit that’s present at Shakhtar. My vision of football coincides with that of Shakhtar. Paulo Fonseca and Luis Castro are my friends. I believe that we will play well and claim multiple victories. I am here to help the football players reach new heights, develop physically, grow mentally, and move to the first team.
- Have you ever coached a U21 team before?
- Yes, I worked with all ages. I see my role primarily in helping the guys grow mentally as professional players. Before that, I had some youth football experience, while the U21 age is a transition to professional football. The footballers must understand that and be ready.
- Have you considered Shakhtar’s offer for a long time?
- No, I haven’t. This is a great experience. The choice was obvious initially because for me it’s important to develop players instead of just focussing on my career development and my own coaching success. For me, it’s important to take care of the quality growth of football players. At Shakhtar, we will strive to ensure that the guys move on and staff the first team, and in the long run, that it’s possible for the club to sell someone for good money.
- In the summer, the reserve team got updated, with another squad gathering. What are your major objectives?
- To prepare the guys as good as possible. This is the major goal. To create the team who play well, which will help the players to better fulfil their potential. One of the basic principles of Shakhtar is ball control. This is what we will build our play around. Of course, the result is important, but it’s also important how exactly we win.
- Is it difficult to find a common language with the students who are in transition from youth to adult football?
- We have some difficulties when the guys think that they’ve already reached a certain level even at the U21 stage. Then it turns out that they are not always ready for the challenges that the senior team gives them. Often, the problem is related precisely to their lack of readiness for new intensity, workloads, the level of professional football in the regular squad. Therefore, it’s important to prepare them mentally.
- How will you do it? What is creating a young team like?
- Good question. We should understand the way the players think. There are many dangers at this age: a large number of people around, agents and families. There are cases when someone gives them not the best advice. He guys need to understand how important concentration and focus are in football. And every day, without exception, they should learn, learn how to become better and what to develop in themselves. For me, it’s important to give talented football players the necessary motivation for them to reach the very top of their careers. There is one more essential point on which I want to dwell. Sometimes a football player thinks: I’m currently the best in the squad, I can do everything. Then, he should ask himself the question: what do I want? Do I want to get into the first team? If so, he should think about it daily at the U21. This makes a difference. Some guys are talented and believe that their level is already up to the mark, but in fact, they are not fully prepared yet. You should always look ahead and understand that yes, I am here now, but my goal is to move to the first team. From day to day, you need to accept this challenge and work on yourself. And we are moving in this direction. I guess this is a key thing on the way to reaching a high level.
- The team train intensively twice a day now. What kind of play by Shakhtar U21 will we see in the new season?
- I want the guys to feel football and enjoy it, so that they mature through our work process. It’s also important to achieve results, but primarily to achieve quality. For me, the most valuable thing is how we play and win.
- I would like to thank the club for the wonderful opportunity to be here and enjoy the team spirit that’s present at Shakhtar. My vision of football coincides with that of Shakhtar. Paulo Fonseca and Luis Castro are my friends. I believe that we will play well and claim multiple victories. I am here to help the football players reach new heights, develop physically, grow mentally, and move to the first team.
- Have you ever coached a U21 team before?
- Yes, I worked with all ages. I see my role primarily in helping the guys grow mentally as professional players. Before that, I had some youth football experience, while the U21 age is a transition to professional football. The footballers must understand that and be ready.
- Have you considered Shakhtar’s offer for a long time?
- No, I haven’t. This is a great experience. The choice was obvious initially because for me it’s important to develop players instead of just focussing on my career development and my own coaching success. For me, it’s important to take care of the quality growth of football players. At Shakhtar, we will strive to ensure that the guys move on and staff the first team, and in the long run, that it’s possible for the club to sell someone for good money.
- In the summer, the reserve team got updated, with another squad gathering. What are your major objectives?
- To prepare the guys as good as possible. This is the major goal. To create the team who play well, which will help the players to better fulfil their potential. One of the basic principles of Shakhtar is ball control. This is what we will build our play around. Of course, the result is important, but it’s also important how exactly we win.
- Is it difficult to find a common language with the students who are in transition from youth to adult football?
- We have some difficulties when the guys think that they’ve already reached a certain level even at the U21 stage. Then it turns out that they are not always ready for the challenges that the senior team gives them. Often, the problem is related precisely to their lack of readiness for new intensity, workloads, the level of professional football in the regular squad. Therefore, it’s important to prepare them mentally.
- How will you do it? What is creating a young team like?
- Good question. We should understand the way the players think. There are many dangers at this age: a large number of people around, agents and families. There are cases when someone gives them not the best advice. He guys need to understand how important concentration and focus are in football. And every day, without exception, they should learn, learn how to become better and what to develop in themselves. For me, it’s important to give talented football players the necessary motivation for them to reach the very top of their careers. There is one more essential point on which I want to dwell. Sometimes a football player thinks: I’m currently the best in the squad, I can do everything. Then, he should ask himself the question: what do I want? Do I want to get into the first team? If so, he should think about it daily at the U21. This makes a difference. Some guys are talented and believe that their level is already up to the mark, but in fact, they are not fully prepared yet. You should always look ahead and understand that yes, I am here now, but my goal is to move to the first team. From day to day, you need to accept this challenge and work on yourself. And we are moving in this direction. I guess this is a key thing on the way to reaching a high level.
- The team train intensively twice a day now. What kind of play by Shakhtar U21 will we see in the new season?
- I want the guys to feel football and enjoy it, so that they mature through our work process. It’s also important to achieve results, but primarily to achieve quality. For me, the most valuable thing is how we play and win.