Luis de la Fuente was born in Haro (La Rioja), Gareth Southgate in Watford, Didier Deschamps in Bayonne, and Ronald Koeman in Zaandam. All in the territory of the national team they have coached in this Eurocup. Surprising? No, because it's always like that. You don't win with a coach who is not from your own country. History says so. From 1930, the year of the first World Cup, to 1960, the time of the first Eurocup, only one national team has won the tournament with a foreign coach: Greece with the German Otto Rehhagel in 2004. And it was the surprise of all surprises.
"The national team is an identity-driven team, it identifies with a nation. That's why great national teams seek coaches from the same country. Someone who knows the football, the environment, and the team's identity," explains sports psychologist David Peris. Because yes, the national team is as much mental and emotional as it is about football. Even more so.
"It would be unacceptable," exclaimed former national team coach Sam Allardyce a few days ago when asked about the possibility of a non-English coach leading the Three Lions if Southgate was dismissed from his position. "The England coach must always be English," added Jamie Carragher, a legend of Liverpool and the national team. They do not want to repeat the experience of Eriksson (2001-2006) and Capello (2007-2012).
"The fans would be delighted with someone like Guardiola or Klopp, of course, but after what happened with Eriksson and Capello, I think it will be difficult for them to choose a foreigner," explain several English journalists in a group discussion at the British team's camp in Blankenhain.
"French football is not ready for a foreigner"
"If Deschamps leaves, everyone wants Zidane as his successor," explains Denis Menetrier, a journalist from the French newspaper Le Monde. "I don't think there is a willingness to choose a foreigner, it would be admitting the weakness of French coaches, which is another debate. I think French football is not ready to have a foreigner," he reflects.
The data on Rehhagel is compelling: one foreign victory in 38 tournaments since 1930. In Europe, Spanish coach Roberto Martínez is currently trying with Portugal, previously with Belgium, and Italian coach Montella with Turkey, both quarterfinalists in the Eurocup. "Both in Belgium and Portugal, Roberto has understood that the ideal is to embrace the local culture, the language, and its customs. That's the main thing," admit those who know the Portuguese coach best, who since his arrival has required his colleagues to speak to him in Portuguese.
Despite Brazil's attempts with Ancelotti and rumors of England's interest in Guardiola, it seems that the major national teams continue to rely on national talent. In the middle tier, it's different: in the Eurocup, there are five Italian coaches, they are the majority, Albania has Brazilian coach Sylvinho, Georgia has French coach Sagnol... "They look outside for the talent they don't have at home," explains Peris.
However, club football overlooks nationality and goes for talent. Ancelotti wins with Madrid and Guardiola with City, Barcelona and Atlético are devoted to Flick and Simeone...