While many fans grew up watching their favourite teams deploy wingers and strikers in relatively rigid and defined roles, football’s evolution has meant that forward lines in the modern era are typically far more fluid and dynamic. With that in mind, this article will address the roles of both central and wide forwards. With insights
In November 2018, the Football Association of Ireland announced the return of Mick McCarthy as head coach of the senior national team. Stephen Kenny was placed in charge of the under 21s, with a view to succeeding McCarthy after the 2020 European Championships. Ireland managed to qualify for the play-offs, where they were due to
Before last season’s Champions League triumph with Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp hadn’t experienced a major trophy win since 2012. Despite his relative lack of silverware, the 52-year-old is widely considered to be one of the world’s best coaches. Klopp’s impact on the game stretches beyond his list of honours. His ability to improve individuals and teams
In order to achieve the objective of progressing the ball into the spaces close to the opponent’s goal, a central element of any game model must involve the consistent creation of forward passing lanes. As we will see, an attacking team’s basic build-up structure can help to maximise the number of quality options ahead of
During their return to the Premier League last season, Wolves made a habit of preying on clubs much bigger than themselves. Portuguese coach Nuno Espírito Santo guided them to 16 points against the top six, a record bettered only by title winners Manchester City and runners up Liverpool. While Nuno’s team excelled in the championship
Given the money at stake and the size of the audience, footballers at the elite level can be forgiven for making the odd mistake. Further down the leagues, players know that failing to perform might spell the end of their professional careers. Youngsters in academies are also at risk of buckling under the weight of
Arsene Wenger’s 22-year spell in charge of Arsenal saw him lift 10 major trophies, as well as overseeing the club’s move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium. During his time in North London, he guided countless talents on their way to becoming established, world-class stars. Furthermore, the Gunners played some of the most elegant football
Currently in charge of German second division team Stuttgart, Tim Walter is one of the most innovative figures in modern football. The 43-year-old spent last season training Holstein Kiel, and his bold approach drew admiration from coaches across the globe. As we will discover in this article, Walter deploys a wide variety of inventive methods
During their incredible 2018/19 campaign, Erik ten Hag’s Ajax represented football at its most intelligent. Despite their entire squad costing less than Cristiano Ronaldo, Ajax managed to overcome the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus on their run to the Champions League semi-finals last season. It wasn’t a typical underdog story, however. They continually took
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