Coaches discuss key details that made the difference at UEFA EURO 2024

UEFA EURO 2024 was not over yet when Spain lifted the trophy after beating England in Berlin.

UEFA’s investment in a world-class event extends far beyond the final whistle. This week, with the help of the German Football Association (DFB), host nation of EURO 2024, we welcomed national coaches and technical directors from across Europe to Germany to evaluate the match and analyse the tournament’s key tactical trends.

In addition to analysing the key moments of the summer, the conference offered coaches and technical directors the important opportunity to pay tribute to champions Spain and discuss competition matters with their colleagues from across the continent.

Tactical trends of a high quality tournament

We began studying the tactical elements of EURO tournaments in 1996. Since then we have worked with some of Europe’s leading coaches to gain insight into the ongoing technical developments within the game.

UEFA’s Technical Observer Team, led by the legendary Fabio Capello, worked with UEFA’s Performance Analysis Team to review all the events. Their top-level observations were presented in the EURO 2024 Technical Report. This report is shared freely with national team coaches and the wider coaching community, with the ultimate goal of raising the standard of the sport at every level in Europe and beyond.

For the attendees, which included representatives from FIFA and its sister associations UEFA, some of the tactical trends from the European Championship were explored in more depth, with Rafa Benitez (build-up play), Packie Bonner (goalkeeper), David Moyes (pressing) and Michael O’Neill (creation in the final third) presenting some of the key trends from Germany.

Technical observer Rafa Benitez addresses the crowdUEFA via Getty Images

“I think this event is very important for us as observers because we can transmit some important messages of EURO 2024. It is also important for the coaches to receive information, analyse their approach and change or strengthen some of the things they are doing,” Benitez said.

Tribute to the four-time champions

“Work, work and more work.”

That was Luis de la Fuente’s brief summary of how his Spanish team became European champions two months ago, although he admitted that this only tells half the story. The 63-year-old was the guest speaker at Monday’s event, sharing his insights and coaching philosophies with his fellow guests after securing his country a record fourth EURO last summer.

Coaches and technical directors represented all 55 UEFA national associationsUEFA via Getty Images

De La Fuente first joined the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in 2013 as an under-19 coach. In 2015, he won the European Under-19 Championship before moving up to the under-21s. He won the title in 2018 and led Spain to a silver medal at the 2021 Olympic Games. In 2022, he was appointed first-team coach. His familiarity with the young talent at his disposal has created the perfect environment for success this time around.

“You have to be very aware of your raw materials, your players,” he said. “One of our great strengths is that all the players in our national team have been with us since the lowest age groups. These footballers have talent and believe in the message we are sending them.”

De La Fuente also believes that team culture and a shared work ethic are crucial for top performance.

“In a team that I manage, you have to play good football, but also be a good person, have values ​​and accept your role,” he explained. “You have to understand that you have to serve the greater good. I look for this balance between good people and good players. So if I have to motivate a player who has not yet been on the pitch, he knows that he is important to me.”

Summary and discussion with four top coaches

Frenchman Didier Deschamps, Georgian Willy Sagnol, Germany’s Julien Nagelsmann and Portugal’s Roberto Martinez also took to the stage to answer a series of questions about EURO 2024 and life as a national coach.

France coach Didier Deschamps speaks during the panel discussion, moderated by UEFA Head of Technical Education and Development Olivier Doglia (left) and Technical Advisor Ioan Lupescu (right)UEFA via Getty Images

They all have their own unique challenges and shared their experiences with their peers in a series of candid discussions and debates that touched on a variety of topics, including how to motivate and protect players from social media abuse, finding the right in-tournament format for their teams and balancing the demands of club and international football.