Chiarabini in Tallinn for a UEFA seminar on leadership development in modern football

Positive feedback for the UEFA initiative held in Tallinn (Estonia) from 11 to 14 June, the Technical Director Information Exchange. In attendance were Technical Directors and Heads of Coach Education from thirteen different UEFA member associations: Estonia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and San Marino. A group which, in its make-up, was designed on the one hand to encourage exchange between countries with broadly similar characteristics, and on the other to promote the sharing of different information and experiences, thus energising the work and activities and opening perspectives towards associations with very different histories and cultures. The role of the Technical Director and of other people dedicated to the development of football is today of strategic importance, especially as regards programmes aimed at providing an appropriate structure within the associations. The combination of the technical and organisational components cannot in fact be separated from leadership capable of steering change in the right direction, ensuring that the entire football system can express its full potential. The seminar was led by three UEFA experts: Willi Ruttensteiner, Les Reed and Kris Van der Haegen, high-profile figures with extensive managerial experience in major European football associations and beyond. Topics ranged from the evolution of football trends and their influence on the development of players and coaches, through to assessing how the Technical Director should shape the association’s programmes and projects. The focus then shifted to the need for strong leadership capable of managing human resources within the structure. Issues relating to people’s mental and physical well-being and learning processes were also addressed, as potential value multipliers both in individual work and within a team context. Representing the San Marino FA was Carlo Chiarabini, Head of the FSGC Education and Grassroots Department, who was included in the official seminar programme to present to participants some specific aspects of the work carried out, enriched by insights from his own experience. It was a valuable moment of sharing, appreciated by colleagues and UEFA experts, who are always ready to offer support and propose opportunities. Many other topics were explored by representatives of the various associations, such as the importance of working on a playing philosophy, on player profiles and on the need to strengthen the technical department by building a team of people able to maximise potential and cooperate with other departments, in order to work towards a common vision and shared objectives. Estonia and Cyprus concluded by illustrating their strategies for restructuring their technical departments, providing an example of how, starting from identifying realistic targets, they decided to change certain dynamics to foster the development process. It was a truly interesting three-day event, a chance to draw on the wealth of human and professional experience presented, and to gather stimulating ideas on which to focus in order to improve the future of our football.

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