Cultured Football #40
Running down the wing and better than you think
Ronald Koeman has been a dead man walking for some weeks now and, given how they were playing, it is safe to assume that the Barcelona players knew it. That it took the club so long to dismiss him was surprising. Now it looks that Xavi is going to step up and take charge. As a player he was majestic but does that guarantee that he will be a good manager?
I have always thought life gives us experiences that are key for our personal development. Taking advantage of them is up to us.
#CoachingPathway
The journey that led Carlos Corberán to taking over as Huddersfield Town head coach has been quite an unusual one. It all started in a university in Villareal and has included being Juanma Lillo’s assistant in Saudi Arabia, a head coach in Cyprus and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of working with Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds. It is a story that shows the importance of working hard, believing in oneself, learning from others and, above all, seizing opportunities that come one’s way.
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Why Leicester City Star Is One of the Premier League’s Best Midfielders
#StatisticalAnalysis
For two consecutive weekends Youri Tielemans scored fantastic goals that briefly put him in the spotlight. Often, however, he is overlooked in conversations over Leicester’s best players let alone those that look at the whole of the Premier League. Yet a deeper look at his numbers reveal just why clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich rate him so highly.
Reading Time: 7 minutes
The inside story of: Kamaldeen Sulemana and Right to Dream
#Interview
Kamaldeen Sulemana has been one of the early success stories of this season’s Ligue 1 with the 19 year old winger making the step up from Danish football with ease. With his dribbling skills, speed and eye for goal, it looks as if Rennes have once more unearthed another star. But for Sulemana, none of this would have been possible if it hadn’t been for the Right to Dream academy with whom he made his first steps as a player.
Reading Time: 8 minutes
Erik Ten Hag – Ajax’s eclectic boss
#CoachingPathway
It is somewhat surprising that, although he is frequently linked whenever a high profile job is available, Erik Ten Haag is never seen as top candidate. At Ajax, Ten Haag has done great things; rebuilding the side without losing local dominance, bringing through young players and, above all, doing well in the Champions League. Perhaps there is the fear that he will not make the step up from the Eredivisie but throughout his career he has always proven capable of quickly adapting to new surroundings.
Reading Time: 8 minutes
Mohamed Salah is even better than you think
#PlayerProfile
I know that Mo Salah has developed into one of the best players on the planet. At this stage I’d imagine everyone knows that. Yet even I was surprised to learn that his stats so far this season – ten goals and five assets – were matched by just eleven players throughout ALL of last season. He truly is better than we think.
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Last Week’s Most Read
#Justice
After 32 years of establishment lies, media smears, inquests, trials and retrials, the families of the Hillsborough dead have yet to see anyone held accountable. A sad and disheartening, yet vital long read.
Reading Time: 20 minutes