Latest news with #UEFAB
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
City Football Schools and Al Jazira club join forces to develop UAE talent
City Football Schools and Al Jazira Club Academy on Monday announced a landmark collaboration that will see talented players in the UAE developed and helped on a professional pathway from the age of six years old. From the start of next season, City Football Schools will deliver the coaching for the Al Jazira Club Academy foundation phase for six-to-nine-year-olds. With more than a decade of coaching in the UAE, built on the philosophy and training programme of the Manchester City Academy, City Football Schools will supply the coaches — all of whom hold a minimum UEFA B qualification, and have undergone Manchester City's in house coach education. They will coach and develop Al Jazira's young players, introducing them to a structured methodology designed to create elite players, one that is used globally across all City Football Group clubs. This will be combined with the principles of a safe, creative and positive space, with player happiness and welfare at the forefront of the learning environment. The move further demonstrates the unique and authentic player pathway in the UAE, allowing players who have demonstrated talent and aptitude for the game to flourish in a professional club and work through different age groups, with the ultimate aim of signing a professional first-team contract in the future. For those behind this historic partnership, this not only offers the opportunity for helping produce the stars of tomorrow for Al Jazira Club, but it will also contribute to the wider development of football in the UAE. City Football Group's Head of Football Operations Mena, Simon Hewitt said: 'This is a revolutionary partnership that will provide young players an incredible footballing opportunity for years to come. Early sports and football fundamentals are so important for a player's development. We will look for the best six to nine-year olds in Abu Dhabi and give them an incredible start to their football journey. Everything from coaching to facilities and wider pastoral care will be best in class with the goal of harnessing their skills and supporting them to reach the next level.' This exciting new partnership will complement the market leading City Football Schools programme that coaches over 2,500 players, both male and female, who train with City coaches on a weekly basis across eight venues in the UAE. 'The pathway being created between City Football Schools and Al Jazira Club hasn't been seen before in the UAE and will benefit players, the Club, and the wider football ecosystem in the country,' added Hewitt. Scott Sellars, Sporting Director of Al Jazira Club said: 'We are delighted to partner with City Football Schools on such an exciting and visionary initiative. As the Pride of Abu Dhabi, we want to be able to offer young players the opportunity to excel and go as far as possible in the world of football. 'We are excited that some of the players who join us next season might be those running out with not only our first team, but also the UAE national team in the future.' Established in 2012, and built on the philosophy and training programme of the Manchester City Academy, City Football Schools offers boys and girls aged between 3 to 18-years-old an opportunity to improve their football skills, stay healthy, make friends and have fun in a positive and friendly learning environment. Sessions are held across various locations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman, and are under the guidance and supervision of fully qualified City Football coaches.
The Herald Scotland
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Mourinho makes claim about Celtic's 2003 UEFA Cup final performance
Porto eventually emerged as 3-2 victors in the match despite Henrik Larsson levelling the tie on two separate occasions. Read more: Mourinho recently spoke highly of Scottish football, having completed his UEFA B Licence with the SFA at Largs when he was a young coach. He said [ "Even around 30 years later I still feel that connection because it was an important part of my formation. "When I remember Scotland growing up, I remember the Scotland I loved as a fan. I was following World Cups and I remember that generations of the likes of Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen. "When I remember Scotland growing up, I remember the Scotland I loved as a fan. I was following World Cups and I remember that generations of the likes of Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen. "Then later on, I played Celtic in the UEFA Cup Final and that was the match that put my heart-rate at the highest it had ever been because of the intensity, the spirit, the determination of that team. So hard, so difficult to play against. I think it's part of the Scottish culture." Mourinho encountered Celtic's city rivals, Rangers, earlier this season, although his Fenerbahce side lost on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lukaku: ‘I will start coaching badges at the end of the season'
Lukaku: 'I will start coaching badges at the end of the season' Lukaku: 'I will start coaching badges at the end of the season' Romelu Lukaku is only 31 years old, but the Napoli striker is already looking to his future career. 'I will start my coaching badges at the end of the season.' The centre-forward will turn 32 in May and is having a strong campaign with the Partenopei, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in 29 competitive games between Serie A and the Coppa Italia. However, the Belgium international is eager to keep expanding his knowledge of the sport and is thinking about his next steps. Advertisement 'I think I do want to be a coach, a part of me believes that, but on the other hand, I also still have a few doubts,' Lukaku told Radio CRC. 'I will start my coaching badges at the end of the season, beginning the UEFA A and UEFA B courses, then I'll see what I feel like doing.' The tactician he worked with the best over his career is without doubt Antonio Conte, experiencing his approach at Chelsea, Inter and now Napoli. Lukaku new lease of life at Napoli NAPOLI, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli talks with his coach Antonio Conte during the Serie A match between Napoli and Parma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 31, 2024 in Napoli, Italy. (Photo by) Coming to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was an easy choice for Lukaku, especially once he felt the passion of the fans. 'I never experienced something like that during a warm-up. After the game, I asked Dries Mertens if it was always like that, and he confirmed this is pretty much constant. Advertisement 'The cheer of the crowd pushes you on, it puts pressure on your opponents. When it happens, that becomes difficult for the other team.' With the departure of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Napoli had to change their tactics to a 3-5-2 formation and his strike partner became Giacomo Raspadori. 'Communication is essential, we all have different characteristics, but we can play together,' continued Lukaku. 'This also helps the coach to make his decisions. We are a group who get along off the field too, every Tuesday we organise Call of Duty tournaments with 10-12 players.' Lukaku's son is currently playing for the Anderlecht youth academy and is a chip off the old block. 'He wants to play in attack, not defence. He is certainly more technically gifted than me, but is working really well at Anderlecht. Naturally, I do not interfere with the work of his coaches.'
