Interesting read. In my view keeping every member of a 23 man (or greater squad) happy is an impossible task.
Especially if you get only 5 days or 2-4 training runs with your players squashed into a FIFA window. Sure every player is different, and yes whilst some will thrive in an 'intense' environment, and others will dislike it - there are real limitations on catering to every player's special personality with such limited real contact periods. Very different to stay the All Blacks, who have camps galore plus regular 6 week European tours.
Be very interesting to see who NZF appoint as their new High Performance Manager - seems to have been a revolving door position for many years. Some stability would be nice.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/300710548/danny-hay-to-finish-as-all-whites-coach-after-review-finds-areas-in-need-of-improvement
Mackinnons recommendations for NZ Football
Especially if you get only 5 days or 2-4 training runs with your players squashed into a FIFA window. Sure every player is different, and yes whilst some will thrive in an 'intense' environment, and others will dislike it - there are real limitations on catering to every player's special personality with such limited real contact periods. Very different to stay the All Blacks, who have camps galore plus regular 6 week European tours.
Be very interesting to see who NZF appoint as their new High Performance Manager - seems to have been a revolving door position for many years. Some stability would be nice.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/300710548/danny-hay-to-finish-as-all-whites-coach-after-review-finds-areas-in-need-of-improvement
Mackinnons recommendations for NZ Football
- Significantly reviewing the way the All Whites team staff work with New Zealand Football’s high performance department to ensure there is a collaborative, planned approach moving forward;
- The need for proactive investment in coach development at All Whites level;
- Examining possible ways to introduce greater professional football expertise within NZF, including potentially adding high-profile former All Whites to the high performance and player welfare committee;
- Suggestions in relation to how the role of GM of high performance could be filled;
- The need for the communication style of the coaching group (led by the head coach) to evolve to meet the needs of a wide range of players from a cross-section of backgrounds;
- Placing a greater focus on creating a strong culture of transparency and honesty, including ways to improve the scope for player feedback and collaboration (such as the establishment of a more formalised leadership group);
- Ensuring that the team rituals become part of the DNA of the All Whites and that they are passed down from generation to generation; and
- Having the team play as often as possible (ideally in every Fifa window), setting a plan in place to target higher quality opposition and to have the team play in New Zealand more often.