László Balogh, Director of the DE Institute for Sports Science Coordination (DESKI), said: "There are not many opportunities in Hungary where internationally renowned experts pass on their knowledge to students, who can thus get closer to the theoretical curriculum and also to the practical aspect.
In his welcome speech, Zalán Bács, who is also a DESKI demonstrator, expressed his pleasure that a renowned foreign expert has accepted their invitation, who can teach us a great deal. At the same time he anticipated that more experts would be invited in the future.
DVSC signed a professional cooperation contract with Spanish club Villarreal CF back in 2022. According to the contract, three Villarreal professionals will provide methodology assistance to the coaches of the DVSC Football Academy for at least nine months of the year, providing professional support for the work at Pallag. In addition, the Hungarian club's professionals will have the opportunity to exchange experience with the Spanish top team.
Pablo Alberola Talamantes began his presentation by explaining that he was finishing his third season at VSC Debrecen, where focus was on methodology. He gave a brief introduction to Villarreal CF, where their aim is to promote as many players as possible from the academy to the first team.
- The truth is that it is very difficult to reach the professional level; it is easier to win the lottery than to play in the first division. But then the question arises, as a coach, how can I help the players, how can I develop those who are not reaching the top. The answer is to change the focus; the bottom line is that players are not for the coach, they are for the club. The priority is player development and the coach's job is to help the footballer achieve his personal goals. This is the way we have developed our methodology at Villarreal: focus is on the player and how to strengthen him in all areas," outlined the methodology director.
Villarreal CF's professionals have started working along the same lines at DVSC, where the process of methodology is made up of three main parts: the development of coaches, the collaboration with player observers and a unit that focuses entirely on the footballers themselves.
- We didn't want to introduce radical changes immediately, so at the beginning of the cooperation we observed how the work was done at Loki. We saw the areas where they needed to improve, we believe in active learning methods, so we went along those lines. The learning process always starts with discussion and planning, and then comes putting it into practice. Then it is very important to review and revise and reflect on this. We also needed to improve the cooperation between the coaches, so that they could work as a team and talk to each other. You can see that their attitude has changed when they plan the training sessions, they define the task, and they observe and ask questions, because the main thing is to train intelligent players. The coach can give guidance to the player, but it is the player who has to set his own goals, which is why we have created a mentoring programme. If there is interaction between the coach and the player, if the coach asks questions, the player will understand the game better, communication will improve, performance will improve, and he will think more and reflect more about the game, he will be more creative. Focus is on the footballers themselves, but at the same time you also have to monitor the coaches and their development," said Pablo Alberola Talamantes.
Tamás Gazsi, the club's U16-U17 goalkeeper coach, spoke about the mentoring programme at DVSC. He informed the audience how they work with the players in practice, how they structure their week, how they identify goals and how they achieve development.
The event, which was organised by the Institute for Sports Science Coordination, UD, and the István Nyirkos Sports Science College, was well attended, with coaches from DEAC's youth team and students attending the lecture.
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