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Real Madrid youth coordinator Stefan Kohfahl speaks in an exclusive interview about the importance and success of Madrid youth work.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Since 2014, Stefan Kohfahl runs the Real Madrid Foundation Clinics, a school football program sponsored by the Madrid Foundation, which transports the training concepts of the royal youth division to other European countries.
Interview with Goal and SPOX He explains to the 51-year-old man how he wants to challenge the crown virus, the importance of youth work in Madrid and why Toni Kroos as a teenager could have been forgotten by most.
It also reveals which current star at Real was previously underestimated, who is the best footballer for him, and to what extent the Hamburg native was responsible for the semifinals in the 2018 Champions League season.
Mr. Kohfahl, used to coach clubs in national and regional leagues, since 2014 has been a youth coordinator at Real Madrid and runs the Clinics of the Real Madrid Foundation, a soccer school program outside of Spain. How did that happen?
Stefan Kohfahl: The concept of soccer schools was born out of frustration. The children never got what they wanted. Football schools in Bundesliga clubs focus primarily on brand and fan loyalty. For example, new Bundesliga teams with few fans want to generate new fans through an emotional experience, such as soccer school. So the camp doesn’t have the original club jersey so kids can buy it later in the merchandising. Also, for example, at the HSV soccer school he ran, there were sponsored pizzas every Wednesday and McDonald’s every Friday. If you didn’t eat, you starved to death. These are all aspects that I did not like.
What do you do different
Kohfahl: It is a concept far from the marketing department. We have to see what children’s soccer can do. It can transmit values, take children off the streets. We use it to transmit sports, cultural and social values. All of this is tangible because the children are listening to us. With us, all the children are busy and play their favorite game. One focus this year is a nutritional concept to strengthen the immune system, which we provide to our children and parents.
How is such a camp established?
Kohfahl: It is a five-day paid camp for girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 16, regardless of the level of performance that takes place in our partner clubs during the school holidays. The camp offers participants the opportunity to experience the concepts of real youth training with qualified coaches and with the latest training methods and performance measurements. Children receive ten training sessions, but are also allowed to play freely after lunch, we call it the largest soccer field in the world. Then they are open again for frontal instruction at the stations. Children have their own access to soccer. We give them your expectations, we take them seriously. Children receive our so-called score cards. The best players from each camp participate in the national final round. The winners of the final round can travel to Madrid and train at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
What are score cards?
Kohfahl: Skills such as speed of action, technique, dribbling or speed are assessed on score cards, which play a role in various exercises, such as dribbling courses or coordination exercises. In addition to sports skills, social skills are also important. Those who do it wrong because they are a diva, have no respect, or do not take a leadership role in the field receive no points. The sports and the social change mainly. We are working against the old rule: the more successful you are, the more your social competence will deteriorate. We combine both.
What does the name of the football school mean?
Kohfahl: At first glance, the name is, of course, somewhat misleading. “Foundation” means Foundation and Spanish “Clinics” is a high quality term for consultation hours in English, which we also find in this case. At that time we had no other choice when it came to naming, Real gave it to us.
What exactly is your job?
Kohfahl: I am responsible for the general organization, planning and implementation of football schools in Western Europe. This includes training methods in consultation with coaches. In total, I take care of 600 coaches and main events, such as the Coaching Convention, in which new training concepts are presented and that take place at Real Madrid. Camp coaches are also trained there.
Kohfahl on Corona plan: “He will proactively approach the authorities”
When did you develop a desire to support young people more?
Kohfahl: Soccer also helped me a lot personally. My youth coaches trained me. I used to be able to set up my own team and became a youth coach when I was 14 years old. When I realized that going to the professional league wasn’t enough, I became a coach of players in the district league at the age of 21, but I always coached a youth team parallel to the men’s teams. I was always a lateral thinker, but the children always followed me. I was very successful and became A-Youth champion of North Germany with the association Stellingen 88. Later, Bundesliga professionals Ivan Klasnic and Patrick Owomoyela grew up with me.
How does corona virus currently affect your work?
Kohfahl: Of course, we had to postpone the camps for the time being, which our participants took 99% of the time. We currently deal with our employees and various inquiries. As an alternative to the camps, we are currently hosting a FIFA tournament for more than 10,000 children with more than 140 partner clubs from across Europe. We are also working on a concept for a corona training camp, to be held at our partner clubs.
tell me
Kohfahl: We also want to send positive signals during the Crown period. We are currently working with the Institute of Life Sciences and the University of Luxembourg, more precisely with five famous doctors, including three professors and immunologists. We have already developed our nutritional concept with them. We are building a training program with which we will proactively approach the authorities. There should be less or no duel, but more training to score goals and technical-tactical content.
What forms of play are possible?
Kohfahl: Game outnumbered with inactive defense or round, so the game changes over time and not in the usual way after losing the ball. We have currently rescheduled our appointments and are waiting for the start signal. If this is only possible with restrictions, of course we will follow it.
How are other security measures?
Kohfahl: We will work closely with the doctors and will not endanger anyone. In addition, we have provided bracelets for all children with which they can log into the respective exercises. Everything works digitally with us and you had to log in at the beginning of an exercise with a touchpad. Introducing scanners that scan children at the entrance so they don’t have to shake hands with anyone.
Do you plan to screen children for the virus early?
Kohfahl: Rapid tests are not possible. Therefore, we appeal to the reason of the parents. If a registered child is ill, we will give them a coupon to participate in our camp at another time. We cannot prevent a certain residual risk in the case of unknown diseases.
Kohfahl collapses at Valencia CF
His house had to serve as collateral for financing the original concept in the bank. To put it bluntly: How obsessed were you with the idea that you even gave up your home?
Kohfahl: I think you have to be crazy. But I think my strength is my belief. Most of the time I let the spark jump. I arrive in a good mood and rarely allow doubts to arise.
How difficult was it to make your idea heard in the best clubs in Europe?
Kohfahl: After not listening to HSV, my own club, it was relatively easy for the best European clubs. I received confirmation from eight of the top 10 clubs in the 2014 UEFA ranking.
What conversation do you particularly remember?
Kohfahl: My wife is a graphic designer and designed the rough concept for the presentation for me. When I presented my concept at FC Valencia, everyone was absolutely delighted. However, on the last page of the presentation he said: “I am looking forward to Atlético de Madrid arriving” (laughs). I had an incorrect presentation with me or my wife had not changed it.
Have you also been to German clubs with your concept?
Kohfahl: FC Bayern Munich had also asked about a third party, although I did not contact them. However, that was not my concept. I cannot open a Bayern football school in Hamburg or vice versa. It had to be paramount.
Why did you choose Real Madrid?
Kohfahl: The people in charge treated me incredibly well, so I didn’t have to think much. Real came directly with the highest education, that is, with the General Manager José Ángel Sánchez and the then youth coach Santiago Solari, who guided me through youth work and the area the same day. And despite some problems at first.
tell me
Kohfahl: In Spain it is common to exchange business cards at the beginning. However, I had none with me and my interpreter’s translation was not optimal. Sánchez asked me why I didn’t have a business card with me. When I replied that I did not have a company, but an idea, he told his colleague in Spanish that the idea had to be quite good if it appeared like that. He didn’t know that I spoke some Spanish (laughs). In the end, however, he took me in his arms and said, “You won’t leave here anymore.”
How did you perceive the dimensions of this association?
Kohfahl: Being carried by Solari, one of the galactics, was a crazy feeling. They showed me the great training area in Valdebebas directly. They wanted to kill me with that, of course, they played this card directly (laughs).
Why is the German market really so interesting?
Kohfahl: Because I made it very interesting. (Laughter) No, the concept I presented came from the German market, which I knew well. There are now clinics in almost 100 countries. There are paid schools, but there are also social projects in Africa or southern Europe that are financed with this money. The Real Madrid Foundation is doing exceptional work in this regard and was voted the best sports and social project by the European Association of ECA Clubs in 2014 and 2019. 2014, by the way, under the patronage of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
What does the club expect from this cooperation in Germany?
Kohfahl: The club achieves positive side effects through our soccer school. Real Madrid’s reach and popularity have increased again through our camps. Toni Kroos, who is our ambassador, also realizes that we have taken him to another level when he can be seen on more than 30,000 posters on European sports fields. By doing so, we are giving something back to the club.
How do you keep kids from losing the fun despite the competition?
Kohfahl: We play with victory and defeat, but it is a matter of telling stories: we devalue defeat. Losing is not bad, the main thing is that you gave everything. Until the 93rd minute, the classic “comeback”, the chase. We always demand this “give it all” to all participants. They also take him home. We also demand social skills, victory is not decisive for progress.
Kohfahl on Toni Kroos: “I would have fallen into the cracks as a teenager”
How many participants in your soccer school have a realistic chance of reaching the Real Madrid youth academy?
Kohfahl: We currently have five international junior players who have played with us in recent years. However, they do not play at Real. We also have a team of the best that we invite separately to Madrid on our own. Last year we played two games against Getafe’s team of the same age with a selection of our best final players, which consisted of two years, and we separated them. Getafe is known for his strong youth work.
What qualities does the ideal real talent have?
Kohfahl: It is about fast and correct decisions. A Toni Kroos could have fallen off the grid when he was a teenager because he doesn’t have this top speed. But he is incredibly quick on the head. For this he has two feet, which is also due to this speed. Anyone who is young at Real Madrid can play soccer and he is fast. You can learn strength and tactics later, you must have speed in your head.
Both boys and girls can participate in their camps. How do you focus on female participants even though you primarily explore male talents?
Kohfahl: If he finds a weak point with us, it is that very few girls participate. We continue to pay attention and there are generally two girls in the final in Madrid. Real has also had a women’s team since this year. [CD Tacon, fusionierte mit Real Madrid, d. Red.], there are also conversations.
Do you have something to say in the scouts or duties of young talents?
Kohfahl: No, there is an autonomous department there. I am still in regular contact with the explorers and make some recommendations. If we have good players in the camp, of course, I suggest them. The decision is up to you.
Is there a point of contact with professionals?
Kohfahl: I am regularly in Madrid and Valdebebas. We also film once a year. We make dribbling videos for kids, which they can then copy at home. We did it with Achraf Hakimi, for example. We recently filmed with Karim Benzema, Kroos, Nacho Fernández and Gareth Bale.
Kohfahl: Hakimi? “I promoted it three years ago”
You mentioned it: stars like Kroos, Bale or Benzema announce your camps in videos. How did you come to know the stars?
Kohfahl: Nice The good tone belongs to Real Madrid. They live what they say. These values of respectful cooperation and interaction are exemplified from top to bottom.
Has anyone particularly excited you personally?
Kohfahl: This really applies to everyone. Above all, I have to do with Toni Kroos, who really does a lot for our camps. Karim Benzema is nice and Marcelo is the Sunny Boy as seen on television.
Do you have a special experience that you associate with Real Madrid?
Kohfahl: At Real Madrid, legend has it that I won Cristiano Ronaldo’s decisive penalty against Juventus in the quarterfinal second leg of the 2017/18 Champions League season. (laughs)
tell me
Kohfahl: I was sitting in the VIP area and it was 0: 3. So I was the only one to start singing. Suddenly, the entire stadium rose. My wife had tears in her eyes. All mood was transferred to the team. I did it again and the fault came and the whole stadium, which had almost fallen asleep before, demanded the penalty. So it was said that I removed the penalty with me. I say: legend before truth.
Statistically speaking, no club in the top 5 leagues in Europe turns more players into professionals than real players. Why is that?
Kohfahl: The deciding factor is strong youth work. Many, like Hakimi or Daniel Carvajal, go from F-youth to A-youth.
What is the current youth work?
Kohfahl: There is a plan for how a young person makes the transition from one young person to another. You don’t train too much. If you trained too much, kids would no longer love soccer. This methodology is specified from the outside. For example, the central defender is also not allowed to advance on high balls, even if a team is behind. Everything is linked to the system until the end. That is why we train a lot of ball possession in the camps.
What young player from the ranks of Madrid has what it takes to jump to the top of the world?
Kohfahl: For me, Hakimi, whom I announced to everyone three years ago. Luca Zidane too [aktuell verliehen an Racing Santander, d. Red.] I think it is outstanding. I have never seen a better footballer. Too bad it’s not a couple of inches taller. Of the current team, Federico Valverde is my absolute favorite. It is impossible to imagine the first eleven without him. Much will be said about Martin Ödegaard. At first he had some difficulties, but so far he has played this season in San Sebastián.
Kohfahl: “If you only look at the U23 players, Real has the strongest team in the world”
What surprising talent has not made the leap in recent years?
Kohfahl: Marcos Llorente of Atlético de Madrid. I thought it was relatively strong, but in my opinion it was underrated and it was there at the wrong time. In my opinion, a Gareth Bale is currently very bad in public. His odds at Real are incredible. The problem is their vulnerability to injury.
And his provocations next to the square.
Kohfall: He is actually a shy and humble person, very introverted. Of course, he is also under pressure. I’d be happy if the audience had more respect and stood up again.
Given the pandemic, will Real be able to make transfers from Kylian Mbappe?
Kohfahl: Real Madrid always think big, that is part of the philosophy of the club. I don’t realize that the club is financially bad in the current situation. They are doing well, and it can be seen in the training fields, where each plant and each hidden corner is in optimal conditions.
Is your job or promoting talent increasingly important these days?
Kohfahl: It was always important. Real always has a large number of young players on the team. That has always been a primary focus. On average, there have been eight players each in recent years. This season, with Nacho, Carvajal and Casemiro, there are some first-class players again. Furthermore, players like Sergio Ramos, Benzema and Raphael Varane came to Real Madrid at the age of 20 and have matured here to become world class players. Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Valverde and Reinier are also taking this route.
How realistic is it to maintain the level only through new signings from your own offspring?
Kohfahl: I think key players like Kroos, Ramos or Benzema are still strong and important. But I also think that some young players like Vinicius Junior can step forward in the third season and score ten or eleven goals. Rodrygo has already shown what he can do. Luka Jovic also has room for improvement. If you just look at the U23 players, Real has the strongest team in the world for me.
Can you imagine creating a similar concept with German clubs abroad?
Kohfahl: I’m currently writing a concept for a second division club in English, but it’s more of a youth development concept. I think it will be unique. In principle, I would not rule out a club in Germany (laughs). I like to sit down with smart people and talk about soccer.
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