City Pitch sat down with former MLS Designated Participant Álvaro “Flaco” Fernández, now an assistant coach with Uruguay’s U-15 and U-17 nationwide groups. Fernández mentioned what it’s like to teach youth gamers in right now’s sport, how worldwide soccer might evolve within the coming years, and likewise shared his ideas on MLS.
Álvaro “Flaco” Fernández was one of many first gamers of his form in . Following the in , the place Uruguay completed fourth, the previous midfielder signed with the .
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Up till that time, the rule had largely been reserved for globally acknowledged stars. However MLS was starting to shift its technique, and “El Flaco” turned one of many first youthful gamers signed not purely for title recognition, however for long-term potential and on-field impression.
Throughout his time in MLS, Fernández gained one and two titles with the Rave Inexperienced earlier than persevering with his profession throughout Chile, , , and Uruguay. He in the end retired in 2024 whereas taking part in for Plaza Colonia.
Now 40 years outdated, the 12-time capped helps develop the way forward for the two-time FIFA World Cup champions by Uruguay’s U-15 and U-17 nationwide group setup. In an unique interview with City Pitch, Fernández discusses the challenges of teaching younger gamers in an period of shrinking consideration spans, the impression of social media on participant improvement, and the way the enlargement of the FIFA World Cup might depart nationwide groups with fewer actually aggressive matches.
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City Pitch: How do you see that youth soccer has modified through the years basically and what issues needs to be taken under consideration right now which may not have been the case a couple of years in the past?
Álvaro Fernández: To begin with, I feel youth soccer is in an excellent place, each in Uruguay and all over the world. Soccer is the primary sport globally, so naturally there are an enormous variety of children taking part in and creating expertise yearly. We proceed to see gamers with great high quality and potential coming by the ranks.
That stated, I do suppose some issues have modified over time. Perhaps there’s been a slight lack of that avenue soccer mentality — that fearless, aggressive edge that gamers from earlier generations developed naturally by taking part in informally for hours. That “wild” intuition to tackle opponents and categorical your self freely on the pitch was very attribute of earlier eras.
On the identical time, the trendy sport has developed in lots of constructive methods. Technically, right now’s younger gamers are way more full, extra ready tactically, and have entry to raised coaching strategies from a really early age. So whereas some facets of the old-school sport could have pale somewhat, loads has additionally been gained when it comes to participant improvement.
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In the long run, I imagine youth soccer continues to be simply as robust and thrilling because it was years in the past. It has merely developed with the instances.
You have been a part of a era formed by the Tabárez course of, which emphasised robust values each on and off the pitch. At present, issues appear very completely different, as younger gamers develop up surrounded by social media, fixed publicity, and out of doors influences that may generally isolate them in their very own “bubble.” As a coach, how do you strategy creating right now’s youth footballer?
Sure, luckily inside the nationwide group setup we now have a sports activities psychology and help space that helps us loads with these conditions. They work carefully with the gamers on matters like social media, learn how to handle publicity, what is acceptable to submit, and the duty that comes with representing the nationwide group, particularly right now with platforms like TikTok being such an enormous a part of younger folks’s lives.
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We always have conversations with the gamers about these points as a result of the truth is that, as they develop and grow to be extra seen, criticism additionally will increase. Over the past South American event, for instance, we didn’t carry out the best way we wished, and criticism rapidly appeared. Generally folks neglect they’re speaking about 15- or 16-year-old gamers.
That’s why it’s so essential to help them emotionally and assist them perceive learn how to course of these conditions with out shedding confidence or focus. Each participant handles stress otherwise. Some are extra affected than others, so having professionals who can information them by that course of is extraordinarily worthwhile.
For us as coaches, that help system is a large assist as a result of it permits us to share duties and ensure the gamers are being cared for not solely as athletes, but additionally as younger folks creating in a really demanding atmosphere.
Has that grow to be a problem for you when working on the youth degree, particularly in comparison with your individual era, which grew up earlier than this degree of expertise and social media?
Sure, undoubtedly. At present all the things strikes very quick for younger folks. If one thing doesn’t seize their consideration inside a couple of seconds, they will rapidly lose focus. That’s why, as coaches, we now have to be very cautious with how we talk data, particularly throughout tactical talks or video evaluation classes.
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For instance, once we present movies of opponents or evaluate strategic ideas, we strive to not make the classes too lengthy or overloaded with data as a result of consideration spans are completely different right now. The digital world they grew up in is constructed round short-form content material, fixed stimulation, and fast transitions from one factor to a different.
Due to that, we’ve discovered to adapt our strategies. As an alternative of giving them all the things without delay, we break ideas down step-by-step. We would first present a brief video earlier than coaching after which instantly take these concepts onto the pitch, the place they will expertise them in observe. On the sector, they interact rather more naturally, so the educational turns into more practical.
That stated, we’ve additionally been lucky with this era as a result of they’re very devoted and genuinely keen to enhance. They’re extremely motivated and receptive to studying, so general we haven’t had many issues. It’s actually about discovering the correct stability and understanding learn how to talk with fashionable gamers in a method that retains them engaged and centered.
The World Cup and the Way forward for Worldwide Soccer
Photograph by Cameron Spencer/Getty Photographs
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Waiting for the upcoming World Cup, you have been a part of the 2010 Uruguay squad in South Africa, which actually felt like the start of a significant period for the nationwide group. What adopted have been a number of robust World Cup campaigns and an extended interval of consistency below Óscar Tabárez. What have been the important thing elements behind that success, and the way was Uruguay in a position to maintain such a excessive degree of efficiency for almost 15 years?
To begin with, I feel an enormous quantity of credit score goes to . He led the nationwide group for round 15 years and created a really clear tradition constructed on self-discipline, professionalism, and values. Each participant who joined the nationwide group understood precisely what was anticipated each on and off the pitch. There was a transparent line of conduct that everybody revered.
On the identical time, we have been lucky to have a era of extraordinarily proficient gamers. Particularly in assault, we had forwards (, , and ) of a degree which can be very tough to interchange. However past the soccer itself, what actually made that era particular was the reference to the shirt, the nation, and the folks. There was an actual sense of unity and dedication to representing Uruguay.
I additionally suppose the group dealt with itself very effectively off the sector. There was a robust bond between the gamers and the Uruguayan folks, and that created a particular power across the group. The followers felt recognized with that era, and in return the gamers all the time appeared prepared to offer one thing additional for the nation.
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After all, everybody remembers South Africa 2010 due to how historic that run was, however I feel Uruguay additionally had very robust World Cups in and . It wasn’t only one magical event — it was an extended interval of consistency constructed by onerous work, robust management, and a bunch that actually believed in what it represented.
Contemplating all the things we’ve mentioned about participant improvement and the affect of the Tabárez period in Uruguay, what do you suppose is most essential on the youth degree right now?
I feel each era of gamers is completely different, and as a coach you need to adapt to the traits of the gamers you’ve gotten. For instance, with some groups you might need quick, bodily robust gamers who’re higher suited to defending compactly and attacking rapidly in transition. In that case, it makes extra sense to play a counterattacking fashion that takes benefit of these strengths.
However, I’ve coached generations the place the gamers have been extra comfy sustaining possession and constructing assaults patiently by the ball. So the fashion naturally adjustments relying on the profile of the squad.
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That’s why I don’t imagine you possibly can pressure each group to play the very same method whatever the gamers obtainable. After all, as a nationwide group there ought to all the time make certain rules and an general identification, however soccer in the end depends upon the qualities of the gamers you’ve gotten at your disposal.
Personally, I lean extra towards constructing the sport mannequin across the traits of the gamers. First I analyze what the group does greatest, and from there I develop the tactical plan and the best way the group will play.
Photograph by Cameron Spencer/Getty Photographs
Talking about participant traits, there’s been some concern in recent times that Uruguay hasn’t but produced one other era of strikers like Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani, or Diego Forlán. Out of your perspective, is that merely a matter of persistence and pure cycles in soccer, or do you suppose there are specific issues that want to enhance inside youth improvement and participant identification to assist produce that degree of expertise once more?
I feel confirmed a variety of his potential throughout sure durations, particularly when he was taking part in with confidence and continuity. He’s a really proficient striker, and everyone knows the qualities he has. Perhaps he hasn’t been in a position to keep that degree constantly at instances, however there’s little question he’s an essential participant for Uruguay.
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We hope that the upcoming World Cup can convey out the perfect model of him once more, as a result of the nationwide group actually wants gamers with that form of expertise and character.
As for the youthful generations, there are all the time promising gamers starting to emerge, and you may already see sure qualities in a few of them. However it’s very tough to say whether or not somebody will grow to be the following Suárez, Cavani, or Forlán. Gamers of that degree are particular and don’t come round typically.
In soccer, these items additionally occur in cycles. Uruguay is a rustic that can all the time produce expertise, so I feel it’s essential to remain affected person and proceed engaged on improvement the correct method.
Uruguay appears to be going by an essential generational transition below Marcelo Bielsa. From the surface, it feels just like the group has had moments of superb outcomes, however on the identical time the method hasn’t totally related with the followers but. Why do you suppose this transition has been a bit tough for folks to completely embrace?
On the finish of the day, what actually connects folks to a nationwide group are the outcomes. When the group is successful, the followers naturally grow to be excited and emotionally invested. You may see that clearly when first arrived — after victories in opposition to Brazil and Argentina, folks have been extremely enthusiastic, the environment across the group was wonderful, and the stadiums have been full.
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Then, when the outcomes turned much less constant, a few of that pleasure pale somewhat. That’s regular in soccer. Followers are passionate, and feelings are inclined to observe performances and outcomes very carefully.
However with the World Cup approaching, I feel folks will reconnect with the group once more as a result of Uruguay lives soccer very intensely. The nationwide group is one thing very particular for the nation. After all, what occurs throughout the group stage can be essential as a result of robust performances are what preserve followers totally engaged and believing within the undertaking.
This upcoming World Cup appears to permit for a much bigger margin of error, particularly with extra groups advancing and even some third-place groups probably qualifying with solely 4 factors.
Photograph by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photographs
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Do you suppose this new format might change the depth or mentality of the group stage matches in comparison with earlier World Cups, or do you imagine the extent of competitors will keep the identical?
Actually, I’m not an enormous fan of the brand new format with so many groups. I most well-liked the older construction as a result of each match felt rather more decisive. Earlier than, solely the highest two groups superior, so there was little or no margin for error. Now, with extra groups qualifying — together with some third-place groups — a rustic might probably transfer on after successful only one match.
That undoubtedly adjustments the dynamic a bit. It additionally means there’ll probably be video games the place coaches rotate gamers extra and handle minutes otherwise as a result of the trail to qualification is a bit more forgiving.
After all, for South American groups it may be useful as a result of extra spots can be found, however personally I nonetheless desire the normal World Cup format. I feel having too many groups lowers the extent of competitiveness in some matches, and there are nationwide groups that most likely wouldn’t have certified below the earlier system.
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For me, a part of what made the World Cup so particular was how tough it was to succeed in and the way intense each sport felt from the very starting.
MLS from Afar
I wished to ask you about MLS. You performed within the league when it had round 16 or 17 groups, and now it has grown to 30. How do you see MLS right now in comparison with whenever you performed there? What areas do you suppose have improved probably the most, and is there something you are feeling the league could have misplaced alongside the best way?
I feel MLS has grown tremendously for the reason that time I first arrived there within the early 2010s. The league has taken big steps ahead when it comes to infrastructure, group, visibility, and particularly the standard of gamers coming in. At present, you see footballers of a really excessive degree selecting to play there, and I imagine the league will proceed to develop as a result of it has the assets and ambition to maintain enhancing.
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Personally, I had an amazing expertise in MLS and I actually loved my time there. After I joined the league, I used to be solely the second Uruguayan participant in MLS. After that, many extra Uruguayan footballers arrived and began trying on the league otherwise.
I all the time say that you just actually should play in MLS to grasp how aggressive it’s. From the surface, some folks nonetheless deal with it like a lower-level league, however I feel that notion is outdated. It’s a really bodily, demanding, and aggressive championship, and through the years the soccer high quality has improved enormously.