Technical director - Robert Baan
Arsenalkid700
7 Points
Just thought I start the topic as I saw people were (or about to) talk about him on the topic: Indian Coach when Baan is not the coach he is the director so I feel he needs his own thread where we can talk about him. What we expect, what we think so far, anything really about Baan.
Comments
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2774"; onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2774</a><!-- m -->
Rob Baan’s appointment as the Technical Director is the most talked about subject in Indian football at the moment. IN HIS FIRST EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ON INDIAN FOOTBALL, the Football Guru talks at length to <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.the-aiff.com"; onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">www.the-aiff.com</a><!-- w --> about his role, plans, challenges and much more. EXCERPTS:
What brings you to India?
Challenges are what life is all about. This assignment is a new challenge for me -- the challenge to assist and develop football in India and take it to a higher level
What would your primary role as the Technical Director of the AIFF be?
My primary role is to write a Masterplan and a curriculum for the National Youth Development and to assist in establishing the Elite Academy and the Regional Academies all over the country.
Do you have any knowledge about the domestic footballing structure of India or any input about any specific Indian footballer?
When I was the Technical Director of Australia, I did gather some knowledge about the same. From the moment I join I will do my best to gather all the necessary information and I can only do that when I land in India. Obviously I will travel to watch I-League matches and talk to Coaches to gain first-hand practical knowledge.
How much are you confident of turning the fortunes of Indian football?
I cannot do it on my own. It’s a team game and I’d need the help of all stakeholders to create the right structure. We need to chalk out and implement realistic plans as that will be the base for future success.
One of the primary concerns raised by many a pundit is the short stature of Indian footballers? What’s your take on that?
Well, we cannot change that. But the game is not entirely about big-bodied players. Ghana-- for example, also have some short-statured players but they did make it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in South Africa.
Not very long back India were seen as one of the giants in Asia. Where do you see Indian football two years from now?
It’s too premature to talk about it at present. I’d be in a better position to answer it after completing a year of my stint in India.
India is a country where infrastructure still stays in its infancy compared to the powerful European Footballing Powerhouses. How much of that is a pain?
It’s useless thinking about it and sitting idle as we have to cope up with the present situation. The scenario just cannot be changed in a short term. As long as it is being addressed in the long run, it’s OK. We need to improvise.
Explain the Dutch School of Football to us.
It’s a vast subject which I’d love to talk about when we meet. The Netherlands is a small country and we are ranked No. 2 in the FIFA ladder at the moment. The success of that achievement can be attributed to the Youth Development System where we are doing well.
What do you believe will be your major challenges?
My primary objective would be to understand the Indian culture and respecting the moral values, I’d like to introduce Indian Football to a new vision so that it becomes a respected Football Nation in Asia as well as the World.
(By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Institute_of_Sport
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Institute_of_Sport_Football_Program
effort has to come from all the sides..only robert baan won't help.
Baan said he would be watching I-League matches to spot talent.
"It will be very difficult for me to comment on the talent here. I have watched a few matches and will file a detailed report on my impressions in a couple of months. The assignment is a challenge for me -- a challenge to assist and develop the game in India and take it to a higher level," he said.
The Dutchman will be preparing a masterplan and a curriculum for the National Youth Development programme and for the establishment of an Elite Academy with Regional Academies all over the country.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/India-should-develop-their-own-style-AIFF-technical-director/articleshow/10583557.cms"; onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... 583557.cms</a><!-- m -->
What made you take up the Challenge of being the Technical Director of India?
I’m still too young to sit on the couch and the challenge of bringing the overall standard of Indian football to a higher level prompted me to travel to India.
Did you have any prior idea about Indian football --- at the Club or National Level?
Not really till recently when I was invited by the Qatar Football Association to make a report and watched Qatar’s Olympic Qualification match against India U-23 in Doha in July.
What will be your prime task as the Technical Director of Indian football and what will be the key areas that you will look into for the development of the game -- especially at the grassroots?
We will start with establishing of the Regional Academies (for age-group 14 to 16) and Elite Centers (for age-group 16-18) where we can bring the best talents together. With our Technical Staff, we will travel around and get a first-hand impression about Indian football at all levels. After that we will focus on grassroot and organise and establish a pathway for our talents.
How different will the challenge be from your Australian experience?
It’ll be a big difference for simple reason that Australia stay far ahead of India in terms of infrastructure, facilities, organisation and vision. They have also started with a Masterplan, a Curriculum and the National Youth Development Plan. During my time at the FFA we started with the implementation of small-sided games all over the country; a structured talent identification plan and the vision of how to play and train. The FFA also did start a National Youth League and a National Women's League along with the National Coach Education Plan.
Will you be holding regular meetings with the coaches and officials of the respective I-League clubs?
I will co-ordinate mainly with the Coaches. I will also be co-ordinating with the General Secretary of the AIFF and other staff and maybe, club officials as and when necessary.
The Dutch football system is one of the very best in the world. Can you tell us what separates it from the rest and what will you be looking to implement in India?
This is hard to answer in a short time. In principle we must learn from all countries who are successful footballing Nations and implement some of their ideas. But it must lead to a typical 'Índian Style of Play.'
The biggest debate in Indian football stays as to whether we should appoint a Foreign or an Indian Coach. What’s your take?
We need to have someone who suits the Indian mentality. I think that coaches of the stature of Capello, Mourinho or Guardiola are not suitable (besides financial terms) for Indian football at this time. In general I’d rather go in for a Foreign Coach who has vast knowledge about Asian Football. He needs to educate his assistants who should be taking over later.
If you look at Australia, you’ll find it was Pim Verbeek who made them qualify for South Africa 2010 and after he left, German Coach Holger Osieck took over. The sole difference stays that all his assistants are now Australian Coaches, while Pim Verbeek worked with a Dutch assistant. But it’s too premature for me to comment anything on the quality of Indian coaches.
How confident are you of making a significant change?
AIFF has now started a vision which will improve the rankings in the next 4 years. The focus is now on Youth Development. Within the next 10 years, boys from the age-group of 8-12 will take India to a level where India will be able to compete against Australia, Korea or Japan.
http://www.the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2819
....Mr. Patel 1 yr over
Ya that was Mr. Patel who is a known corrupt politician. We got Robert Baan. A man who can change football for the good. Also with Mr. Kushal Das helping we could do what Baan says. And don't say Das is useless because he isn't. Kushal Das just needs some more understanding of the game. If he knows what he is doing then he can easily get it done.