Is Nationality Important with National Coaches

July 17th, 2010 | by: Rob |

Leo Brazil The old adage, England invented the game and the Brazilians mastered it. You wouldn’t believe that if you watched the World Cup in South Africa, as both sides crashed out relatively early. Both are pondering the question of whether the nationality of a national coach is important, and if it is important, how much so?

England of course already have a non-English manager in the shape of Fabio Capello, but yesterday Sir Trevor Brooking added to the uneasy relationship with the manager, suggesting that the next coach would be English.

Brazil are without a manager and there are calls from inside Brazil at the thought of a non-Brazilian coach, as there are a lack of Brazilian names that spring instantly to mind (Leonardo is favourite to land the job, despite a underwhelming stay in Milan).

So how much does it matter?

Obviously some of you might know, I’m English, so naturally have been through this thought many a time – before Capello, we had Sven as manager. And while you’ll all be quick to remind me how underwhelming England were at the World Cup (and how), I really don’t think the fact we have an Italian manager is the reason we underperformed. There is a myriad of other reasons, but I don’t think the nationality of the coach is the relevant one.

Brazil, obviously, have a big heritage to live up to. And while its one thing for say, the Ivory Coast to have a non-national as manager (Sven again), I’m sure if Brazil were to employ one, some eyebrows would be raised.

But potentially there are alot of possibilities there, and the chance for someone to take an outsiders eye into the camp and try something a bit different. I think a manager does need a big understanding of the country he’s taking on and the history and so fourth, but naturally a coach born abroad can bring a different viewpoint which could be really good.

So I say Brazil should give it a go, if there are no Brazilians who are quite up to the level they expect. They’ve got nothing to lose.

Tags: Brazil, England, Fabio Capello, Ivory Coast, Leonardo, Managerial Merry-Go-Round, Sven, World Cup 2010, World Football

World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 RSS Feed

sandra350

Well I'm Brazilian and have mixed feelings about this. I've often wondered if we should try a foreign manager but the fact is no team has ever won the wc with a foreign manager. That stat keeps nagging away at me every time this issue comes up. I wouldn't be vehemently against it, depending on who was chosen. But I'd be a bit concerned. That said, it's not like I expect us to win the damn thing in 2014 anyway. I'm afraid Brazil is in yet another long period of transition like we experienced between 1970 - 1994. We dominated (or at least were among the most dominant) from 1950-1970. Again, we were dominant from 1994-2002. In Brazil the word everyone's using right now is "renovacao" or "renovation". Some Brazilian pundits call the next phase of Brazilian football as a "period of patience."

Given that we will have no qualification games for the 2014 wc (only the Copa America and the Confed Cup will offer any kind of competitive practice for the new national team), the new coach and his new team will have little opportunity to prepare for the rigors of the next wc. Plus, like a lot of Brazilians, I tend to be a bit superstitious and the old Maracana home curse looms large in my imagination. Home teams in big competitions (club or country) who play the final game at Maracana tend to lose, esp. if it goes to pens. And the 2014 final will of course be at the Maracana (assuming of course we'd even reach the final).

While I like Leonardo and Menezes as possible candidates, no Brazilian-born candidate screams out as a strong, effective leader to rebuild and make a serious challenge for the cup in 4 yrs time. (no, not Felipao! the game has passed him by)
OffsideSarah

As long as the language barrier is reduced, I think the issue is more about competence than nationality. Any competent coach will recognize the strengths of the national team they have inherited- regardless of if they are a native or have "adopted" a new national team. And any incompetent coach (regardless of nationality) will find a way to muck it up. I'll use France as an example. As much as France would like to disown Domenech, we have to claim him- quirks and all. And though he shared the same cultural background as his French team- from the interviews, it seems like he was on a completely different planet. Im weary to ever blame someone's nationality or ethnic heritage as a "weakness" of explanation of failure-I usually think its just an excuse not to take-on the real problem.
Aidan

Posted something along the same lines on the Japan blog today...Japan have the decision over a new coach to make at the moment.
http://japan.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2010/homegrown-or-gaijin.html

A Japanese coach did well this World Cup, but was incredibly unpopular beforehand with several awful results and performances. Should another local get the next chance, or another foreigner? Not an easy decision - but there is the third option of a foreigner with extensive experience in that country. Then again Japan tried that with Zico in 2006 and that didn't go so well...
SevillaOffside_Joshua

I don't really think Japan's poor result in 2006 had as much to do with Zico as it did with drawing Brazil and a Guus Hiddink coached Australia in the group stages. Japan was talented, but so were the those two teams.
Aidan

True - but after the disappointment against Australia some squad players have mentioned that morale took a nosedive (even though they drew the next match)...would things have been different with one of their own? Probably not, but I'm these might be the kind of things being discussed at the JFA.

I know from England's point of view there always seems to be a reaction to whatever went before - tried a foreigner, next an English manager, then that failed so get another foreigner...and so on...
Gaston Mulisanga

considering the resources he had i think leornado did a good job and for his first time as coach too
Rob

Well, ok, I take that back then. Is it fair to say it wasn't an overwhelming season, the kind that gets you a job as a national coach? I've always liked Leonardo, so I'm happy to hear it wasn't quite as bad as it looked (though it wasn't a great start at least).
Aaron Giambattista

I think he definitely got Milan to overachieve a bit. Considering they went from super-experienced (06) to Dunga (completely inexperienced) who knows where they'll go. I do see him as very likely, I believe Leonardo said he wanted to move back to Brazil either way.
Aaron Giambattista

Wouldn't say Leonardo had an underwhelming stay at Milan. In fact, most people were fairly impressed. He redesigned the squad tactically to get the best out of certain players, and while 3rd isn't a great finish for Milan, it is great for a brand new coach with a team that refuses to invest properly in transfers and has a meddling President.
Francesco

Agreed with Aaron. I'm a Milan fan and was extremely happy with Leonardo's season, he did the best he could with the squad he had. I was upset to see him go because of more Berlusconi stupidity.