The CAF A License Coaching course that is underway in Johannesburg is the best thing ever for South African football, veteran coach Walter Rautmann has said, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
The course began on Monday at SAFA's headquarters in Nasrec with 25 coaches in attendance.
SAFA technical director, Walter Steenbok, reiterated the importance adhering to Mzansi's playing philosophy and how coaches could contribute on football development for the betterment of the national teams.
Some of the top PSL coaches, including Gavin Hunt, Eric Tinkler, Steve Barker and Boebie Solomons are among those attending the course, alongside the country's up and coming mentors in the likes of Pogiso Makhoye, Wesley Sergel, Godfrey Sapula and Michael Manzini.
The Good
"It's the most important thing to ever happen because soccer doesn't stand still. Looking at a guy like Gavin Hunt, he has been in coaching for years just like me. Him and Steve Barker are from the old school of coaching. I'm happy that they and all these others coaches have gathered to renew their coaching knowledge because you can't always rely on the past. I also did it at some point. I went to Bayern Munich in Germany and to big soccer academies from round the world. You've got to renew because the new standard of football is completely different compared to the old days. Soccer has changed completely these days and that's why these courses from FIFA and CAF are very important for coaches to remain up to standard all the time. Look at what (Pep) Guardiola brought to Manchester City and it's working for him. Starting from the goalkeeper and the build-ups up to the strikers and everybody wants to play that way now because it is beautiful football. All the teams now are trying to play his style and that's from the goalkeeper, defender, midfielders and up front because they are all learning. Those coaches there also renew their licences from time to time. For me South Africa is supposed to have top players but we don't produce them like that anymore," said Rautmann.
The Bad
"That's why I have been critical about a club like Chippa United that has been giving just about everyone they feel like these opportunities to coach the team. It's ridiculous. Also, these coaches only think for themselves and are in it for money and do not think about the development of players. Coaching is not just about going on the field to win a game, you've got to develop young players and help them to grow," he said.
The Ugly
"I always laugh when Bafana Bafana celebrate after a victory against countries like Seychelles and Comoros. It's nonsense. With the talent of players we have in this country, we should be competing with countries like Germany and France. The reason we are getting beaten 5-0 by countries like France is that our players were never properly coached from a young age," concluded Rautmann.
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