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| Academy Trip to Manchester United |
Interview with Gareth Prosser
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Gareth Prosser has done an undergraduate degree in Sports Science from the John Moores University in Liverpool. He has also attained various FA and UEFA youth coaching qualifications. He is presently the under 13 coach at Tranmere Rovers Football Club, and the youth coach at Manchester United Soccer Schools. Mr. Prosser has also played professional football in the English League with West Bromwich Albion for two years before a knee injury cut his career short.
On the way to Tranmere, for Karachi United's last game of the tour, we got a chance to catch up with Mr. Prosser to get an insight of what he had thought of the tour as head coach.
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Taha Alizai conducted the interview.
TA:
How has your experience been with Karachi United youth this past week?
GP:
It's been a fantastic week coaching my first team from Pakistan. I've been very impressed with the boys' attitude. They've listened well and worked hard throughout this week. And it's not only about this week. Now, you have to take these ideas back to Pakistan, innovate, and make Pakistani football better.
TA:
What do you see as the major areas which need improvement and how should the boys bring themselves up to a higher standard?
GP:
First of all, technically they're good. However, their decision making, quickness…when the ball arrives, how quickly they pass isn't quite up to the mark. So, the initial idea of improvement would be speed of thought…how quickly they can get possession back and turn it into attack.
TA:
What are the strengths of Karachi United youth?
GP:
Their attitude and work rate. As long as they give 100% they will only improve. And their willingness to learn, they listen, and they've shown that with shape, that they understand. That shows that they have the quality that is required for good footballers. They need to now start to do it for not 10 or 20, but 80-90 minutes of a game.
TA:
How has your interaction been with the players and coaches in terms of taking things on board?
GP:
For myself it's been fantastic. I've got along well with the boys. They've listened well. I'm open to suggestions from players and coaches, but I have strong beliefs and I've tried to put them across. It's now about encouraging them further, to try new things. If there is 10 yards of open space, go drive. It's about giving them the confidence to try new things and make mistakes. No ones perfect. As I said before, they will only improve if encouraged further.
TA:
In our team here we have noticed that you have a very open and benevolent style of coaching. Would you say that is the correct style although there is no one way of coaching?
GP:
Definitely…my experience ranges from 4-5 to 15 yr olds. The younger they are, the more freedom you have to give them to allow to express themselves. They need to be encouraged to use both feet, they need to be encouraged to try new turns and tricks. At a young age they won't understand what you need to have to become a total footballer, the movement, shape and organization. So if you can get these skills into them by the time they're 12 and give them that freedom to express themselves, as they get older than you can instill in them the ideas about making the right decision, shape, getting into space and movement. I cannot stress enough the creative aspect that needs to be encouraged and that's what I do for my younger teams. Freedom, encouragement, positive feedback are very essential for all young players because the most important part of the game is that they need to enjoy what they do.
TA:
Based on your appraisal of the players, in a very candid manner, would you say that the future of Karachi United is bright?
GP:
I think so. This week has again been an eye opener about what the English game is like. Exactly how fast it's played and how physical it is. This week will have a positive affect as long as the players and coaches go home and use the sessions and drills that we have learnt this week. I can only think that if these players go back and raise their game it will induce all other teams in the area to raise their game as well which in turn will raise the game of the younger ones. And this can only have a positive affect on the future of Pakistani football as long as they can maintain the work rate, and get on top of people when they lose possession. Short term it will take time, you can't expect changes overnight.
TA:
In your view what is required on an overall basis, with your experience with the boys, to develop the game in Pakistan?
GP:
All you need is a good coach, set of cones, a set of balls to bring these boys up as footballers. The primary element will be good qualified coaches…that will be the first step to improve football in Pakistan. In deprived areas where they cannot afford football boots, you need the kind of funding that will help bring them out and into an environment where they are given an opportunity to play and practice football. From there you can start identifying talent such as, yes, he's got the basic essentials and this is how we can improve him.
TA:
Do you think from an infrastructure point of view that the lack of world class facilities will hinder development of Pakistan football, or do you think good coaches, cones and balls would suffice at this initial stage we are in?
GP:
My personal opinion is that as long as you have a flat pitch and the other necessities. As I've been teaching throughout the week the ball doesn't always bounce where you want it to bounce. I believe in Italy they make players play on muddy pitches where the ball is all over the place and then take it onto sand. Again it's a different kind of philosophy. Then once they go onto grass they would have a good touch. Once again, it's great to have indoor facilities since you don't have enough rain as we get here in the UK. But I believe qualified coaches, a set of cones and balls and a committed bunch of kids from which you can generate another set of younger kids.
TA:
Do you feel a youth policy is essential for a club in Pakistan because in the long term it is the youth that brings the sport up?
GP:
As I've pointed out to some of the kids, Mickey is a 12 year old; it's been a fantastic experience…great week for him. He's a lot younger and physically less developed as compared to a lot of the other players. He has a couple of years to develop further and in a few years we will see the results. For example the clubs who have had the Beckham's and Giggs' come through the system, the amount of money it has saved the club with the success they have achieved…its priceless.
TA:
Coming back to Karachi United, what qualities do you feel Pakistani players lack as compared to the English?
GP:
Definitely physical presence; that doesn't mean they don't fight for the ball, they have shown me this week that they battle for the ball. But they may always be a step behind. Secondly the speed of the game, one touch, two touch football, which is something that is within reach and can be incorporated into their football. 3 touch, 2 touch, 1 touch will help them improve their game. Those are probably the two aspects that they need to work on, physical strength and speed; when to play and when to pass, the speed of thought.
TA:
On a lighter note, what is your favorite club and who is your money on for the upcoming Premiership season?
GP:
My favorite club, because I am wearing the top, is Manchester United (laughs). And my money next season is also on Manchester United.
TA:
Involved in so many youth teams, what advise do you give to youngsters who want to become success stories of tomorrow?
GP:
To any youngster, I've been there myself, I've had the dream of becoming a professional footballer. One, enjoy the game. Secondly, give it your best. Good or bad day, at least you can walk off that training pitch and say you gave it your best. Ok, next time it will be a good day. Also never to regret and to look back and say I should have tried harder. If they give their best, whether they make it or not, they can be satisfied that they tried their best and can continue to practice.
TA:
What areas of the game, in your limited time, do you feel that the boys have improved in?
GP:
I think from last Sunday they were good technically. But shape, organization, certain players not going forward when they could have, and taking the safe option could have been better. What has improved throughout the week is the shape of the team, possession, breaking out and creating space. Still not done quick enough but the foundations have been laid down. And again certain players with encouragement, and a bit of shouting, have started to drive forward, they've got the physical presence.
TA:
What do you think is required for a club to be very successful, like the Manchester United's, Liverpool's, and Arsenal's? Karachi United is obviously in the very initial stages of development, what factors do you think are needed to reach that level of success?
GP:
Well, most important I believe is a dedicated team. Behind the scenes, directors, managers, and coaches who are prepared to put some time in to make this club successful. Money, also unfortunately plays a very important part in football these days. And then going back to the youth system; good coaches to develop these players, a great staff and getting as many players involved, and then picking the talent to develop them further.
TA:
We've worked on this tour with the parents. We're also lucky some sponsors came through such as ABN AMRO, I think that is a very important point that needs to be made, that finances are needed to develop the sport…
GP:
I refer back to the coaches and the people. They play a very important role in the development. As well as parents, they encourage the boys, it's great. I couldn't think of anything better as a child. It's also about meeting new people developing social skills, much more than just football.
TA:
Ok Gareth, last question…how would you sum up the tour?
GP:
Personally, I've had a great laugh. A great bunch of guys, I could not ask for a better group. It's been a challenge for me and they have developed which is great to see. But they need to work hard. And again, I would not like to be seen just as their coach but as a friend, and for our friendship to continue between the two clubs.
TA:
Gareth, thank you for all your help and time. We, at Karachi United, wish you all the best and hope that our relationship continues.
GP:
Thank you, I wish Karachi United the best of luck in the future.
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