Introduction
This site has featured many players
that have been developed in Germany. From Max Meyer, to Timo Horn, Timo Werner
or André Hahn. Hence, it may be beneficial, to not only look at those players on
their own, but rather at the background they all share. They all have been part
of modern and extensive youth development program in Germany. Admittedly, some
less, others from the beginning of their footballing career. This feature will
introduce said program to you, the key components and why it produces top
talent after top talent. Depending on
where you are from, you may see stark differences - or similarities - to the
youth development of your own country.
Before
going into detail, the German system is essentially based on a change in mindset
and three components. After disappointing results around the year 2000, the
German football association realised German virtues alone would no longer
suffice to beat the best nations. A more technical and tactical approach had to
be introduced, which over the years resulted in the players that can be seen as
a benchmark today; for example Reus, Götze or Kroos. With regard to the
components, the first would be high-level-coaching. The second component would
be the introduction of competitive leagues, with champions and relegation from
the under 12 level onwards. The third and final aspect would be the
introduction of under 23 teams, B-teams or (II teams, as they are called in
Germany) into the league system.
When
talking about the German system, we would usually include young players from
the age of 11 until the time they make the first team. At the age of 11,
certain forms of special training would become available to you for the first
time outside of the academy system. The age of 11 also marks a point when the
player is not too young to receive additional coaching, yet also not too far
advanced in his development for that training to be in vain. Seeing how the age
of 14 is usually seen as the end stage of the technical development of a
player, it leaves ample time to improve a particular player in that department.
Stage 2, age 14-16/17 and stage 3, from 16/17 onwards would involve the
improvement of the physical and tactical attributes, respectively.
Coaching
Generally
speaking, the German system can best be summed up in two words: proficiency and
accessibility. Proficiency firstly, with regard to the qualifications of the
coaches. Players cannot be development into top professionals unless the right
coaching is provided. In order to ensure the required standard of coaching,
only coaches with at least an UEFA B-licence (now fittingly renamed to, DFB
elite youth licence), are put in charge of coaching. The second one,
accessibility, refers to two aspects. On the one hand, it can be taken quite literally.
Throughout Germany, there are enough training bases, no player has to move too
far only to take part. On the other hand, it refers to the entrance level. You
do not have to be a super talent or part of Bayern Munich's academy, to be
invited to the first level of additional coaching - to the DFB bases. The
mantra here is, every talented player should have the opportunity, outside of
his own club, to take part in more advanced and professional training.
At the
moment, there are 366 of those DFB bases throughout Germany. Once again,
pointing to the aspect of accessibility. Here, mostly 11 to 14 year old
players, as mentioned, have the opportunity to receive professional coaching -
usually once a week. While these bases do not feature the best of the best yet,
they are an important part of the foundation. From 2002/3 onwards, the German
football association started implementing football bases, all over the country,
with the aim to allow every player access to the best coaching. Not every
player in that age group is fortunate enough to play in an academy of a
professional club. Hence, if he is good enough, he will be allowed to train at
such a DFB base. The main idea is to ensure that players that up to that point,
had not yet been scouted by professional clubs, are still able to improve and
become the best player they can be. Currently, around 1000 people are employed
in the areas of coaching and the examination of players to ensure best possible
conditions for the players. These bases raise the general standard of quality
outside of the academies, and maintain a more realistic approach. Especially in
that 11-14 age group, good coaching can be vital, yet not everyone has access
to it and subsequently, any chance of moving to a bigger club might vanish
without that extra training. On a more personal note, having been part of that
program myself, I can only emphasise how great of an experience it was; being
able to train in a group full of quality players and under professional guidance
- even if it is just once a week.
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| DFB bases throughout Germany |
The next
two layers would be the elite schools, which usually go hand in hand and in
cooperation with an existing academy. The schools would look after the
education as well as the football aspect, while academies are primarily
interested in developing the player. Those two forms essentially represent the
next step in the development of a player that is already good enough and does
not rely on coaching of the DFB bases anymore. According to the Bundesliga
licensing agreement, every Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga club has to have an
academy in order to develop young players.
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| elite schools ------ academies |
Competition
As mentioned,
providing competition, including titles and relegation, is seen as a major part
of development as well. Starting at the under 12 level, these league are
introduced. It is about competing against others when it matters. While
individual improvement and excellent coaching are the basis, early competition
to create a winning mentality as well as motivation to continue to improve are
of importance as well. This level of competition continues onwards to the first
team. For the under 17 and under 19 players there are also special Bundesliga
formats. Divided into three regional groups (South/South-West, North/North-East
and West), teams play a standard season modus and in the end, the three
champions and the 2nd placed from the best region (according to a complex table),
advance to the semi-finals. However, this is fairly standard and can be found
in most countries to a similar extent. There is a national cup as well,
similarly to the FA Youth Cup. Again, fairly standard.
B-Teams
The most
drastic difference comes in the adult
stages, with the introduction of B-teams, or 'II teams', into the league system.
These teams are under 23 teams, plus up to three over 23 year olds. For
instance, Dortmund's II team is currently playing in the 3rd league while
Bayern's II team is part of the Regionalliga Bayern (4th division). All in all,
a concept similar to Spain's, where B sides are even allowed to play in Segunda
División, but completely different to the British approach, for instance. The
B-teams provide an excellent stepping stones for players that on the one hand,
are too good, or old, for youth football, but are not yet ready for first team
football. In the English system, this is usually bypassed by dozens of loans
per club - which varying success. While B-teams may play in lower divisions,
consistency can be achieved. Those teams usually play the same football as the
first team and players can be sure of game time. Not something that can be
confirmed with loans. B-teams provide a regular schedule and an opportunity to
compete with physically stronger players.
Interestingly,
the regulations regarding B-teams have changed recently. For years, B-teams
used to be the norm and compulsory. Not having them could have resulted in
fines or even point deduction. Starting with the 2014/15 season, this has
changed. Clubs are now free to decide whether they want to have a B-team or
not. Several clubs, like Bayer 04 Leverkusen or Eintracht Frankfurt made use of
that right and no longer have an active under 23 side. Arguments pro and
against this change can definitely be gathered. It could be said that players
are getting ready for first team football earlier. Clubs may argue that their
most promising players are ready for first team action when they would still be
allowed to play youth football; players that need longer could be deemed not
good enough - making the B-team obsolete. And certain players could still be
loaned out, but a club would not have to have a special team just for them. The
other side could be understood as well. Jürgen Klopp or Armin Veh for instance,
criticised the decision heavily; the former claimed a large number of players
would not play in the league without B-teams and Veh added that these teams
would provide extra and early competition for very young and talented players.
It has to be mentioned though that both, Klopp and Veh, are coaches of clubs
where the B-team plays in the 3rd league (the only other one is Mainz 05).
Meaning those two play in a professional league whereas any other B-team does
not. Had Leverkusen or Frankfurt played in that league as well, their decision
might have been different.
With
regard to Klopp's statement that loads of player might not be where they are
without B-team experience, it can be said that he is right. Surprisingly many,
have played huge number of games at that level. For instance, when looking at
the World Cup winning German squad, most of the big players, like
Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Müller, Neuer or Klose, spent a full season or two in
their respective B teams. Others, like Boateng, Mertesacker, Höwedes or Khedira
got roughly half to a full season. Only special players like Götze, Özil or
Schürrle, who are also part of the 'ready early generation', went straight into
the Bundesliga squad - for obvious reasons you might say - but they are the
exception to the rule.
