Tomorrow's stars not delivering sufficient performance
In the world of football, the development of young talents is a crucial aspect that varies significantly across European countries. Each nation has its unique approach to nurturing future stars, with Germany, Spain, France, and other countries sharing common factors that contribute to their success.
Germany's Focus on Individualized Career Orientation
Germany emphasizes early, systematic, and individualized career orientation, particularly within vocational education and training (VET). The Baden-Württemberg's Ministry of Education promotes talent development by tailoring education to students’ strengths and inclinations, supporting STEM initiatives, and fostering cooperation between schools and businesses. German programs also integrate youth in sports academies linked to real club structures, offering playing and academic development opportunities simultaneously.
Spain's Emphasis on International Exchange-Style Programs
Spain leverages international exchange-style soccer programs, which combine education with intensive sports training, exemplifying a holistic approach to youth talent development through international exposure and competitive environments. Spain also participates in European initiatives to prevent early leaving from education by guiding at-risk youth into training/qualification pathways.
France's Focus on Elite Training Facilities and High-Level Competition
France, through models like the Paris Saint-Germain Academy, emphasizes elite training facilities, professional conditions, and high-level competition in youth sports development, aligning with a focus on excellence and comprehensive boarding programs that foster full immersion and advanced development.
Common European Trends
Common European trends include preventing early leaving from education by identifying and supporting at-risk students, increasing flexibility in education pathways, raising the profile and attractiveness of vocational education and skills competitions, and availability of EU-funded fellowships and international networking opportunities for youth researchers and innovators.
The Case of Aleksandar Pavlovic
In Germany, 21-year-old player Aleksandar Pavlovic, who has already made it to the national team, played around 1500 minutes in the Bundesliga out of a possible 3060 in 34 games of 90 minutes each, and just over 300 minutes in the Champions League out of 1260. Julian Nagelsmann, without criticizing Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, noted that Pavlovic played less than 50% of the possible minutes in the Bundesliga last season.
Advocating for a Separate U21 League
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is advocating for the creation of a separate U21 league to extend training time and create new player and coach markets. Klopp believes that countries like Spain, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands have a large repertoire of excellent players due to their focus on training and development.
The Role of Clubs in Youth Development
Christian Streich, former SC Freiburg coach, advocated for more playing time and experience for young players in Germany, comparing it to nations like Spain and France. Roger Schmidt, former coach of PSV Eindhoven and Benfica Lisbon, believes that there are enough talents in Germany, but notes that not even all German clubs have their own U23 team. Streich also mentioned that agents often don't go along with this idea of waiting for the right time to move to a big club.
France's "Discover Young Talents" Program
In France, there is a "Discover Young Talents" program that accompanies children from the age of 13 on their way to professional sports and the French national teams, with school and sporting development going hand in hand.
The Importance of Early Identification and Support
The most successful youth talent development programs combine early, personalized career support with flexible, practice-based training routes embedded in well-supported institutional and international frameworks. Early identification and support, integration of education and practice, flexibility of training pathways, encouragement of inclusivity, resource and institutional support, international exposure, and prevention of early leaving from education are some of the key factors influencing program success.
Sports in Germany focuses on individualized career orientation, particularly within vocational education and training (VET). The Baden-Württemberg's Ministry of Education promotes talent development by tailoring education to students' strengths and inclinations, fostering sports academies linked to real club structures for simultaneous playing and academic development.
Football in Spain emphasizes international exchange-style soccer programs, offering a holistic approach to youth talent development through education, intensive sports training, and competitive environments. Spain also prioritizes identifying and supporting at-risk youth in education.
