First team coach Steve Corica wants to model the club’s training philosophy on the worlds best, after returning from a once in a lifetime learning experience at two of the world’s most formidable football clubs.
First team coach Steve Corica wants to model the club-s training philosophy on the worlds best, after returning from a once in a lifetime learning experience at two of the world-s most formidable football clubs.
The Sky Blue great spent two weeks in Europe watching the coaching methods of Spanish giants Barcelona and Dutch masters Ajax, as part of an FFA coaching scholarship.
“It was great just to be there,” said Steve. “To watch the way they play and their style of football, that-s the kind of football I like watching and as a coach I-ll try and implement.”
Steve saw coaching at all levels at Barcelona and believes their methods would work well at Sydney FC.
“The philosophy that they implement from a young age goes all the way up to the senior level. They train the same way and play the same way.
“I think that-s something we can look to and strive for. We-ve got to have our own philosophy and bring it up through the juniors. Maybe that can be the next stage in our history.”
Corica-s trip also coincided with Barcelona-s UEFA Champions League semi-final with Chelsea and the resignation of their coach Pep Guardiola.
“It was my first day there. I arrived in the morning and went to the game on the night. It was a great atmosphere.
“There were a lot of things going on with Guardiola leaving. It was a big day in Spanish football.”
At Ajax Steve watched the team-s game analysis and training, before sitting down to talk with coach Frank de Boer and his assistant Dennis Bergkamp.
“They play a very similar style of football [as Barcelona], a possession game. I had a chat with them about the way they do things.
“Frank de Boer believes in bringing through the younger players.
“They are a young team, one of the youngest in the league, and they-ve managed to win the title two years in a row.”
Ajax also clinched their 31st Dutch Championship while Steve was there, beating VVV Venlo 2-0.
“They received the trophy on the field, I was there for that and it was a great experience for me to see that. It was special,” he continued.
“It was great speaking to the likes of Dennis and Frank. They-ve played at a very high level for great clubs so you can only learn from these people.
“I spent 5 days in Barcelona and 5 days in Amsterdam watching two great teams, and enjoying the way they play football.
“All in all it was a great experience for me and a learning one.”
Hear more from Steve and see more pictures from his trip in our video chat.
Sydney FC is taking expressions of interest from fans keen to register their support for the 2012-13 season. Simply log onto my.sydneyfc.com to update or add your information.
