I believe that the development of the coaches in today’s game have brought a new depth of knowledge both on the field, in the classroom and in the gym. This is one reason I think Soccer players are fitter than they used to be. Top teams employ a wide range of coaches these days ranging from:
- Head Coach
- Assistant coaches
- fitness coaches
- Goalkeeper coaches
- psychology coaches
- Nutrition coaches
- Yoga/pilates teachers
Coaches like the great Pep Guardiola had F.C Barcelona playing in such a way that blew everyone away, and now Tito Villanova has continued that model that was initially the vision of Mr Joan Cryuff. They play at such a high tempo and pass and move with such precision and ease, but it is the work that the team as a whole does off the ball that allows them to play to the highest quality. This is not something that just happens by chance.
Thousands of hours had to be spent by the coaching staff as a whole meticulously planning every aspect of training:
- soccer specific training
- fitness and conditioning training
- rest & recovery
- Nutrition