KEIR RADNEDGE in LONDON: France coach Didier Deschamps was the star turn as, 70 days after the World Cup Final, coaches and technical experts from nearly 200 member associations and confederations met in London to analyse trends and tactics showcased in Russia.

Deschamps, in discussing his team’s route to World Cup glory, highlighted the importance of teamwork and man management, as well as how coaches should best guide their players across all areas of tournament and match preparation.

But the next challenge was the toughest: how a team might repeat their success.

Didier Deschamps . . . speaking in London

Deschamps said: “It’s difficult to get to the top level but even more difficult to stay at it. There is nothing higher, faster and stronger than being world champions and I told my players afterwards: ‘You are no longer the same. You will always be world champions, whatever you do, wherever you go.

“But it’s difficult to stay focused at that level. They may – they may not. Success may go to their heads or any player can run into difficulties at any stage in their career.

TSG assessment

“Also, even if we do manage to stay focused we may not have the same results next time around because it’s not only about what we do but what other people do. Next time they may prepare even better.”

Deschamps has greater insight than most, having captained France to victory in the 1998 World Cup and then the European Championship in 2000.

Earlier Carlos Alberto Parreira, Brazilian head of FIFA’s Technical Study Group and chief technical development officer Marco van Basten shared their insights across four key areas, including a comparative goal analysis from the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups, set pieces, an analysis of World Cup semi-finalists and the role of the playmaker.

The TSG report on the 2018 FIFA World Cup is to be published on October 16.

An overwhelming consensus was reached by coaching and technical experts throughout the day about the high quality of football witnessed during the tournament, as well as the improved fair play on the pitch.

Pierluigi Collina, the chairman of FIFA’s Referee Committee, and director of refereeing Massimo Busacca also presented an overview on refereeing matters, including the successful implementation of the video assistant referee system.

################