Lionel Messi’s Warning on Over-Coaching: How Manchester City is Paving a Different Path for Young Players
Ever since Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola revolutionized football at Barcelona, clubs worldwide have been trying to emulate their success. Messi, an idol to countless aspiring footballers, and Guardiola, whose coaching philosophy has permeated down to grassroots level, continue to influence the game profoundly.
Guardiola’s impact isn’t confined to football. Recently, Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla credited Guardiola for helping him think about transitions differently as they clinched the NBA Championship, showcasing the widespread influence of Guardiola’s methods.
However, imitating their success isn’t always beneficial. Guardiola himself has cautioned against the dangers of a ‘copy and paste’ approach, and now Messi has expressed concerns about the confusion it can create, particularly in the development of young players.
“The Guardiola era has caused a bit of confusion. Everyone wants to play like that now,” Messi remarked. “They tell six, seven-year-olds to play with two touches, quickly. At that age, what happened with me needs to happen for these kids… we shouldn’t take away their spontaneity.”
While these comments might suggest Guardiola’s style could hinder the development of future stars, Manchester City’s approach to their academy proves otherwise. The club ensures that their youngest players aren’t forced into a rigid system but are allowed to explore and enjoy the game naturally.
Academy director Thomas Krucken explained to MEN Sport, “At foundation phase, it’s about game understanding. Let the lead coach be the mentor of the kids to explain something to the team members. Let the game understanding be there and the next step is decision-making, but before you have to understand the game. Let them grow where they are allowed to make mistakes. Mistakes are a big opportunity for us to develop.”
Manchester City starts cultivating players who fit into the Guardiola mold early on, but the journey begins with allowing young talents to learn and understand the game on their terms. The emphasis is on nurturing spontaneity and creativity before delving into tactics and philosophy.
This approach may not guarantee the next Messi, as such generational talents are rare, but it helps City avoid the ‘confusion’ that can arise from over-coaching. By fostering an environment where young players can develop naturally, City hopes to create well-rounded footballers who can think and play with the same fluidity and creativity that define the greatest figures in world football.
