Modern languages, training is an asset on the CV

Before taking over the reigns of Bayern Munich in 2009, Louis van Gaal planned to spend a week at a monastery to work on his German. Learning a foreign language quickly is a common practice in the Netherlands. For his part, Pep Guardiola took lessons daily for six months before joining the Munich club. On the day of his first press conference, the Spaniard made a strong impression by answering journalists’ questions in clear German. Regarded as one of the best technicians on the planet today, the Manchester City coach speaks five languages. “Mastering languages ​​is an important tool as we strive to excel, Judge Christian Gourcuff, forty years in the profession, now retired. As football has become more internationalized over the last thirty years, it is an observation shared by all players on the field today.

Even in Ligue 1, French is not enough

“ Today, without foreign languages, coaches cannot do as before. Even in Ligue 1, Franck Thivilliers, the Deputy National Technical Director of the French Football Federation responsible for coach training, assessed. At least English and Spanish. » Today, coaches cannot do without foreign languages ​​as before. Even in Ligue 1. Raymond Domenech agrees: “It’s up to them to expand their field of expertise or they become part of another world”Judge is the president of Unecatef, the union of football coaches in France.

Here, the phenomenon of internationalization of labor is seen as elsewhere in Europe and around the world. This season, 71 nationalities are represented within 18 Ligue 1 clubs, eight more than last year. In Toulouse, a very cosmopolitan locker room, 22 players are foreigners.

“With the Boseman regime in 1995, there was an internationalization of the labor market, where previously a team could not have three foreign players.recalls Luc Arondel, economist and director of research at the CNRS. Today, two-thirds of players in England are foreign, compared to half in France. »

“It’s hard to put emotion into text”

While these footballers are generally encouraged to master the country’s language in order to integrate – French clubs often hire tutors to help them – Christian Gorguef reckons a good coach must also put his hand in the dough. “When the players arrive, it is important to communicate with them in another common language. This is the starting point for communication. »

FC Lorient’s iconic coach, the French technician has traveled abroad to learn languages. He played twice in Qatar with Al-Qarafa club and was appointed Algeria coach (2014-2016). “I had a basic knowledge of English, so I was a little scared when I left for the first time, but in the end it went well. We communicated in English. I was a little limited at first, but after a few months I quickly improved. In Algeria, I spoke French. At first it was a I don’t think that’s the problem.I finally realized that many local players don’t understand the meaning of the sentencesHe continues. It was complicated. At the technical level, the instructions are very detailed and oral explanation is necessary. Beyond the technical aspect, there is the difficulty of putting.