AG: Firstly the training facilities at Real Madrid are fantastic. Both for the First Team and the Academy. My first question is the summers and beginning of the season is extremely hot, when do the players train?

 

JM: In the season the first Team normally train at 10.30; as you can also see we have several fields, including the Goalkeepers area. The Academy Players normally would train after 5pm and in the hot months after 7pm. We are also very proud of the facilities including our medical centre and recovery/rehab areas, which I would imagine, are examples of the leading centres in the world.

 

AG: In your office today you showed me books and diagrams on drills and games. How much time do you put into planning the sessions?

 

JM: I have always spent at least an hour looking through drills and games of any session I do. Jose Mourinho normally conducts First Team Sessions, and is assisted by us. Mourinho is an inspirational coach and always has new ways of looking at drills/games.

 

AG: One question a lot of youth coaches ask is should they take their field session notes on the field?

 

JM: I think that's a good idea, especially if things don't work or you think of a new idea. Then you can make changes on the field to improve the dill or game for the next time you use it.

 

AG: You have great technical players at the club Ronaldo, Di Maria, Ozil etc; do these players continue to work on their technique, even if they are world class?

 

JM: Yes, all top players in my opinion work hard, technically, tactically and physically. I don't think there is an age where you say enough. Great players want to improve all the time.

 

AG: You came on the Coerver Diploma in May in Birmingham. When did you first hear of Coerver Coaching?

 

JM: When I was a youth coach at Benfica many years ago. I bought your Videos and immediately wanted to learn more.

 

AG: What did you like about the Coerver Program

 

JM: Firstly the philosophy that at the early ages the foundation of teaching should focus on Technique. I had always believed that, but Coerver was the first time I had been exposed to a curriculum, which focused on this philosophy.

 

AG: You saw the updated Coerver Program at the Diploma course in Birmingham, how has it evolved since your first impressions.

 

JM: This is what really impressed me, you have added so much to the curriculum since the early years. When I first got your videos, the curriculum focused on isolated skill drills. Of course I understand the value of repetition, but when I came to your course, in May, what struck me is you have added game related and full game pressures to all of these Skills. That was perfect for me. I also like your way of analyzing technical problems and then offering solutions.

 

AG: Do you think Coerver Coaching is only for young players?

 

JM: No I don't. I think it can be used for all levels and ages. One reason I came to your Diploma Course was that I feel the Coerver Program can be adapted to even work with top First Team players. In fact I would like your advice on which of the drills and games you feel can be adapted. I have my own ideas but would also love your insight.

 

AG: I would agree with you, one way Coerver has evolved over these 28 years is that Charlie (Cooke) and I have tried to make sure all the drills and games in our program have variations that cover Mastery (Thru repetition) then increasing difficulty (especially when working with advanced players) and of course game application of the Skills in full game pressure. One new direction we are working in is devising a program to work on Position Specific training; for example Strikers in creating more goal chances individually; what do you think about this direction.

 

JM:I think that this is a very important step. For instance we can use this to work with a few players at the end of some sessions. I would be very interested in this work.

 

AG: That's great, in 2012 our Advanced Coerver Diploma will focus on this theme, we hope to see you there.

 

JM: Thanks Alfred, yes I certainly hope to be there and meanwhile we hope to see you back at Real Madrid in the near future.