28-06-2019, 02:27 PM
Found this interview with Sabri Lamouchi from November 2018. Translated from French.
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The coaching profession, a vocation?
I knew from the start that I was going to continue as a coach. I started very early to record the first sessions of Léonce Lavagne when I was in second division, in Alès. I was trying to understand why we were doing this or that exercise. With Guy Roux, in Auxerre, it was easier because we were doing the same sessions every week for four years. I learned less on the field but a lot about management. Then there was Monaco with Jean Tigana or Claud Puel who started. Finally, in Italy, things really came to me at 1000. It was a revelation at first and then a confrmation. It was really the place to go. Being a coach means thinking about everyone. It is imperative to think of everything: anticipate and plan for the well being of all.
The game philosophy
Try to have fun with the ball. Even if we realize more and more that the victorious teams are not necessarily the ones who have the possession of ball. It must proceed according to the efectif and the players available. The basis of football is to win games. The most difficult thing is to score goals. On the other hand, to be as high as possible, you have to have the best defense base. We saw it with the team of France who triumphed in World Cup by making less mistakes. We realize that finding a good balance is part of these principles that allow four or five players to be always in the offensive animation, all this without hindering the balance of the team.
The best tactic, a guarantee of victory?
It depends ! On a match, there may be a chance factor. But on a competition, it is actually the best tactic that wins. On competitions such as the Champions League, Europa League, European Championship or World Cup, the winner has always used the right tactics. But on a match, you can be lucky: shoot once on goal and win 1-0. The goalkeeper is elected man of the match. While in front, they hit 23 times without scoring. And yet, the tactics remain good. The best tactic is to adapt to the opponent and proceed during the match, if necessary, to changes. It's like playing chess. Can you win by chance at chess? It can happen once. It can not happen all the time. If you have a good chess player in front of you.
The result or the game, which priority?
The result goes through the game. We can not play to play. We can only play for the victory. By setting up your team, you distill your instructions, you have your preferred circuit, depending on the teams you meet. At home or away, things can vary. If we are focused only on the game for the game, without result, this is not possible. We are competitors, we must be competitive.
The preferential scheme
The one that seems to me to be the most balanced and the most offensive is the 4-3-3. But the 4-4-2 is a scheme that has won too. Antonio Conte surprised me by winning the Premier League playing with three defenders, a first in the English league. I do not remember that a great team managed to win the Champions League or a World Cup playing three behind. And yet, it is an interesting scheme. Still need to have the appropriate players. In my case, the patterns I know best are 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. They offer a certain balance. The player must be incorporated into the system and the system must be made in relation to the players.
The management of egos
You have to house everyone in the same boat. However, we must be able to adapt and individualize the sessions. For example: some have a much higher VMA than others. They do not work together. We personalize a physical work so psychologically, we must be able to individualize too. Because of the susceptibility of one or the shyness of the other. We must make sure to understand the topics that are in front of us: exchanging, discussing, living together. For that, you need a lot of trust and transparency. If the player loses this confidence, it can be very complicated. Even with the best player in the world.
The definition of a good coach
He is the one who gets the most out of his players. First, he must federate. Then he must have clear ideas and bring the players where he says he is able to bring them. Ideally, a good coach is one who individually advances his players and collectively his team. It is obvious that we retain the titles. Many people think that Marcelo Bielsa is crazy, a genius, a talented coach. And yet, he did not win trophies.
The importance of the psychological aspect
At the time, coaches were not doing the same job I do today. A coach was alone and doing everything. Today, we have a staff, competent people at all levels and therefore necessarily, we focus more on the field, on the game, on the person, on the player and we try using a rehearsal. individual interviews to master his subject as best as possible.
The constitution of the workforce
This is the role of the coach. During my first session here, there were 36 players. We can not work in these conditions. When you are so numerous, there are more frustrated players, disappointed not to play than concerned and happy to be on the field. So, you create a climate that is not necessarily ideal. I had a meeting and ended the season with 24 players. We could work by putting more intensity, by putting more quality, more truths of the weekend.
-------------------
The coaching profession, a vocation?
I knew from the start that I was going to continue as a coach. I started very early to record the first sessions of Léonce Lavagne when I was in second division, in Alès. I was trying to understand why we were doing this or that exercise. With Guy Roux, in Auxerre, it was easier because we were doing the same sessions every week for four years. I learned less on the field but a lot about management. Then there was Monaco with Jean Tigana or Claud Puel who started. Finally, in Italy, things really came to me at 1000. It was a revelation at first and then a confrmation. It was really the place to go. Being a coach means thinking about everyone. It is imperative to think of everything: anticipate and plan for the well being of all.
The game philosophy
Try to have fun with the ball. Even if we realize more and more that the victorious teams are not necessarily the ones who have the possession of ball. It must proceed according to the efectif and the players available. The basis of football is to win games. The most difficult thing is to score goals. On the other hand, to be as high as possible, you have to have the best defense base. We saw it with the team of France who triumphed in World Cup by making less mistakes. We realize that finding a good balance is part of these principles that allow four or five players to be always in the offensive animation, all this without hindering the balance of the team.
The best tactic, a guarantee of victory?
It depends ! On a match, there may be a chance factor. But on a competition, it is actually the best tactic that wins. On competitions such as the Champions League, Europa League, European Championship or World Cup, the winner has always used the right tactics. But on a match, you can be lucky: shoot once on goal and win 1-0. The goalkeeper is elected man of the match. While in front, they hit 23 times without scoring. And yet, the tactics remain good. The best tactic is to adapt to the opponent and proceed during the match, if necessary, to changes. It's like playing chess. Can you win by chance at chess? It can happen once. It can not happen all the time. If you have a good chess player in front of you.
The result or the game, which priority?
The result goes through the game. We can not play to play. We can only play for the victory. By setting up your team, you distill your instructions, you have your preferred circuit, depending on the teams you meet. At home or away, things can vary. If we are focused only on the game for the game, without result, this is not possible. We are competitors, we must be competitive.
The preferential scheme
The one that seems to me to be the most balanced and the most offensive is the 4-3-3. But the 4-4-2 is a scheme that has won too. Antonio Conte surprised me by winning the Premier League playing with three defenders, a first in the English league. I do not remember that a great team managed to win the Champions League or a World Cup playing three behind. And yet, it is an interesting scheme. Still need to have the appropriate players. In my case, the patterns I know best are 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. They offer a certain balance. The player must be incorporated into the system and the system must be made in relation to the players.
The management of egos
You have to house everyone in the same boat. However, we must be able to adapt and individualize the sessions. For example: some have a much higher VMA than others. They do not work together. We personalize a physical work so psychologically, we must be able to individualize too. Because of the susceptibility of one or the shyness of the other. We must make sure to understand the topics that are in front of us: exchanging, discussing, living together. For that, you need a lot of trust and transparency. If the player loses this confidence, it can be very complicated. Even with the best player in the world.
The definition of a good coach
He is the one who gets the most out of his players. First, he must federate. Then he must have clear ideas and bring the players where he says he is able to bring them. Ideally, a good coach is one who individually advances his players and collectively his team. It is obvious that we retain the titles. Many people think that Marcelo Bielsa is crazy, a genius, a talented coach. And yet, he did not win trophies.
The importance of the psychological aspect
At the time, coaches were not doing the same job I do today. A coach was alone and doing everything. Today, we have a staff, competent people at all levels and therefore necessarily, we focus more on the field, on the game, on the person, on the player and we try using a rehearsal. individual interviews to master his subject as best as possible.
The constitution of the workforce
This is the role of the coach. During my first session here, there were 36 players. We can not work in these conditions. When you are so numerous, there are more frustrated players, disappointed not to play than concerned and happy to be on the field. So, you create a climate that is not necessarily ideal. I had a meeting and ended the season with 24 players. We could work by putting more intensity, by putting more quality, more truths of the weekend.