Top Influencers In Soccer: MCFC’s Academy Director Mark Allen to Visit San Diego and Share Insights
Manchester City FC Americas Cup’s Focus on the Future: As a feature of the upcoming Manchester City FC America’s Cup Tournament, Head of MCFC’s Academy Mark Allen will hold a coaching symposium open to all soccer coaches interested in learning the philosophies and training techniques used by Manchester City’s championship first team.
UPDATED WITH INTERVIEW Always seeking to provide excellence in player development and with huge resources at their disposal, Manchester City FC player development approach is one of the most sophisticated and renowned in youth soccer.
With a clear cut approach – Man City’s Academy program looks to provide the optimum player development. Accordingly, their job is to:
Attract, develop, motivate and retain the best natural talent by producing the best possible experience … the “City Experience.”
Mark Allen has been the Director Of Academy at Manchester City Football Club since July 2009 and has shaped this vision and defined their player centered philosophy. Looking to develop strong minded players who know what to do on and off the field, the coaches at Man City’s Academy believe it is important to train to develop and play to win.
SoccerToday chats briefly with Allen on what is important in youth soccer today and when he first started loving the beautiful game:
Diane Scavuzzo: When did you first become involved in soccer?
Mark Allen: When I was 3 years old, playing with my brother at home and then progressed from there.
Diane Scavuzzo: You lived in San Diego for a while – when and why?
Mark Allen: I lived in San Diego from 1982 to 1986 – as I went to University on a soccer scholarship – and loved living there.
Diane Scavuzzo: Coming to America – has youth soccer in the USA improved in the last decade?
Mark Allen: Most definitely, there’s a much higher tactical awareness than existed previously as well as the technical development which has improved greatly.
Diane Scavuzzo: How important is communication on the field? It is vital?
Mark Allen: Communication is key, it’s what holds the whole thing together.
Diane Scavuzzo: How important is coaching education?
Mark Allen: Coaching education is a vital ingredient in the development process. Players need coaching of the highest standards and the ability to convey theories into practice is the key component of a top coach.
Diane Scavuzzo: How often are your MCFC Academy coaches participating in continuing education?
Mark Allen: It’s an ongoing process for all of our coaches.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is the most important trait of a successful coach?
Mark Allen: Aside from all the communication and technical/tactical knowledge, empathy with the players is incredibly important.
Regardless of record breaking success on the field, Allen is always looking to make the next season even better. With a strong passion for a vibrant attacking style of soccer, Allen believes attitude and personality are also essential characteristics of a footballer. Developing the whole player — a player who is capable of responding to difficult challenges on and off the field is important.
As Allen said recently after the U18s were victorious on the field:
We’re here to develop footballers and, at the end of the day, winning leagues is fantastic but it’s about putting them on a journey to the first team.”
The methodology of Man City FC’s Academy produces record breaking achievement and delivers excellence at the club level. Want to learn more? Discover what Allen believes are the critical ingredients for successful player development?
On Friday, May 27 there is the unique opportunity to come meet and listen to Allen who is coming to America for the Manchester City FC Americas Cup youth soccer tournament held at So Cal Sports Complex in Oceanside, CA over Memorial Day Weekend. Speaking on the Manchester City FC Academy Strategy and Philosophy — with a discussion on player development at specific age groups — Allen will share his insights and experience as the head of one of the world’s out prestigious Academies.
Don’t miss Allen’s Coaching Symposium:
Coaches Symposium at Manchester City FC Americas Cup Event Schedule:
11:00 – 12:00 Watch the Manchester City FC B13 Academy team train with the MCFC Academy coaches. Head of Academy Mark Allen will provide commentary during the private session.
1:00 – 2:30 Mark Allen on Manchester City FC Academy strategy and philosophy, including discussion on the development of specific age groups.
2:30 – 4:00 Break for late lunch
4:00 – 5:30 Field session with Surf SC players led by academy coaches with commentary from Mark Allen.
Location: Friday, May 27th at the So Cal Sports Complex in Oceanside
Cost: $150 per participant, SoccerToday readers can enter GOALN for $55 off!
Top Image of Mark Allen – Courtesy of MCFC, Image at 2015 Manchester City FC Americas Cup – Photo Credit: Diane Scavuzzo
Related Article: Second Annual Manchester City FC Americas Cup
