Monthly Archives: October 2010

Don’t forget Martin Sjögren!

A note from a reader in Sweden points out that FIFA short list for Coach of the Year does not and should include Martin Sjögren, head coach of LdB FC Malmo.
Absolutely correct. Martin has done a fantastic job of squad building and leading the club to league title, its first in 16 years.
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Women’s football happens while FIFA is still asleep

So FIFA has named its short list for FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football 2010 and FIFA Women’s World Player 2010.
Bernd Schröder (Germany/FFC Turbine Potsdam),
In Cheul Choi (Korea Republic/Korea Republic U-20 national team),
Albertin Montoya (USA/FC Gold Pride),
Maren Meinert (Germany/Germany U-20 national team),
Bruno Bini (France/France national team),
Silvia Neid (Germany/Germany national team),
Hope Powell (England/England [...]

Scandinavian update

Some of you may remember that last spring I made several predictions. Just to recap, here are my predictions:
1.  LdB FC Malmo will win Swedish title – Correct. Malmo dominated in Sweden. From midfield up they maybe the best in Europe. I coached against Malmo last March, we beat them, but they were very [...]

‘Does anyone care?’

In mid to late 90s writers with football phobia made light of MLS efforts to establish and develop professional football in USA.
Questions like ‘Will professional soccer survive?’ were asked and the answer usually was ‘Well, OK, perhaps the bigger question is does anyone care?’
Elitist sport journalists told us that ‘soccer in the US’ will never [...]

Patience and long term strategy

We saw it in 2001-2003 and are beginning to see it again. Successful businesspersons become involved in women’s football and their business acumen goes completely out of the window.
At a sign of less than expected business performance, their legs start to shake, they panic and start making mistakes.
Take for example parting ways with Tonya Antonucci [...]