These days, the "German Model" of developing exciting young players is being celebrated, among others, at this week's soccer trade show Soccerex in Manchester. On a panel titled “One Common Goal – the German Model For Success” German National Team Manager Oliver Bierhoff, Deutsche Fußball Liga CEO Christian Seifert, and Director of Sport at FC Bayern Munich Christian Nerlinger are scheduled to discuss what has led to the turnaround in Germany's soccer youth development schemes.
How have the Germans done it? Turns out, there is no such thing as an overnight success. As a story in German papers revealed yesterday, it's been 10 years since the 36 clubs of the 1. and 2. Bundesliga (Germany's top two divisions) decided to require clubs to operate a youth academy if they wanted to be licensed. And so far, the academy systems has been a success. Currently, 5,400 young players are playing in the academies, and 19 of 22 players currently in Germany's national team were trained in one of the academies.
So how much has it cost the clubs and the leagues? A cool €600 million. Watching Germany play at the World Cup last year? Priceless.
How have the Germans done it? Turns out, there is no such thing as an overnight success. As a story in German papers revealed yesterday, it's been 10 years since the 36 clubs of the 1. and 2. Bundesliga (Germany's top two divisions) decided to require clubs to operate a youth academy if they wanted to be licensed. And so far, the academy systems has been a success. Currently, 5,400 young players are playing in the academies, and 19 of 22 players currently in Germany's national team were trained in one of the academies.So how much has it cost the clubs and the leagues? A cool €600 million. Watching Germany play at the World Cup last year? Priceless.
