In the recent past, you may have heard me talking (or read, in this case) about Culture.

To be completely honest, from University classes to small events throughout my life I’ve heard over and over the importance of understanding the culture of any given place or company before you step in the Office. 

I’ve never gave that much importance.

Understand that the Academy is above all, against all the wishes of professional footballers (or any sport for the matter) and winnings on the weekend matches, an opportunity to create better adults. 

The academies main job is to install the right values within the young players.

Why should the past be so influential in the present and future? I thought to myself, eager to show that I was right about the right path to take moving forwards.

Why should people in that specific environment be so attached to how things were doing and reluctant to change, for the worst or better?

Took me a good amount of time to really understand this concept of Culture.
The amount that no matter how many books you read or stories you’ve heard, you need to go through your pains and feel it yourself.

Watching so many Clubs, companies, offices, different environments, understanding the corporate ladder from the bottom, what worked better for metrics as commitment, company values or overall performance, and observing the results from each of the strategies is a great benefit to witness.

From micromanagement to complete opposite, where anarchy reigns, from annual planning to day-to-day operations (the so called firefighters approach), what works better in a given environment?

Additionally, if you’re coming to an existent Academy, what was the routines before you arrive?

Are there metrics you can evaluate?
Processes in the way?
From the organization’s perspective (ie. Enrollments, payments and invoices, kits, material, etc), to the field work (ie. Annual planning, mesocycles, microcycle/morphocycle, training sheet, etc) what’s usual and expected from each individual?

Finally, once understood, what can you add to that?

How can you help and intervene?

I would say, without many magic tricks behind it, that would be the secret!

To have a clear notion of the needs to make things impactful and the Academy sustainable in time, at the same point as everyone is motivated to contribute positively to the growth of the Academy!

Understand that the Academy is above all, against all the wishes of professional footballers (or any sport for the matter) and winnings on the weekend matches, an opportunity to create better adults. 

The academies main job is to install the right values within the young players.

Because the odds are against all the players you will meet there, that face a success rate of professionalism that is less than 1%…

Therefore, why would you assume that you’re creating professionals?

Arsene Wenger, former Arsenal FC Head Coach and currently working with FIFA, said, in a recent interview, that by the age of 21 years old, almost 70% of players between the ages of 16 and 20 at the top UK Academies, are already completely disconnected from Football. 

That means they are not playing anymore at any level, not coaching, nothing. 

Just left Football entirely!!

Does this mean anything?

Should we not be looking to win?
Should we just focus on values and forget the dream to be a professional footballer?

No, I don’t think that’s the way.

But all should be transmitted within a context of full commitment, resilience and hard work. 

In Football, as in life.

Understanding the difficulties in pursuing professionalism within the Football industry, with the transparency you enjoy receiving from others, but without the negativity that may arise when facing such low rates of professional footballers.

Because there is always 1 success story coming from an unexpected origin.

Why can’t it come from you? From your Academy?

But, again, to gain all that knowledge and adaptability, you need time and experience…

Don’t rush into decisions.

Don’t believe it will work in the same way everywhere, or that your true is better than the others.

Understand the process.

Learn.

Create.

Implement.

Analyze.
Evaluate.
Adapt.
Re-create.
Implement.
Analyze.
Evaluate.
Adapt….

You got it, right?

Hope it helps you!