long time I was debating writing about the book Captains (LID Editorial, 2010) , Luis Villarejo, a journalist who was Head Football EFE, Chief Editor and Assistant Director Mark Communication of Real Madrid, and collaborator in various television and radio programs and Sportyou columnist. Luis, one of the persons concerned of sports journalism in our country, I knew him personally a couple of months ago when we were both invited by World Cup program Focus -directed by Antonio Izquierdo-de Antena 3 TV (international channels), to discuss our respective books - and Football Captains : Phenomena Phenomenon - the phenomenon of football and the English team.
The book focuses on what are the intricacies of managing a clothing and more specifically in the figure of the captain and man of weight and exercised joint effort of reference. In the work involves many key players of the sport to provide their testimony in person. Other: Cesc Fabregas, Raul Gonzalez, Fernando Torres, Diego Forlan, Andoni Zubizarreta, Emilio Butragueno, Michel and Michael Laudrup, among others.
The foreword is provided by coach Vicente Del Bosque-national-and sporting director Fernando Hierro, the RFEF. The first says, "Human Resource Management is an interesting factor in the direction of sports groups. In my case, I give importance to simplicity, humility, good atmosphere in a locker room. This kind of details does not guarantee results, but helps the search for success. The prize is closer from a clean atmosphere from a life where there a smaller group harmony. "
The second, meanwhile, says: "The captain in a football club or national team is a pride for every player who has dreamed of being a professional child. Football is passion, responsibility, solidarity, unites wills and from the consensual leadership in a locker room, the clubs and federations are progressing in line with the objective of meeting their sporting and business challenges (...). The staging of a master involves a huge wear: the functions ranging from solving domestic problems in the dressing room, to address crisis situations with the media, to help younger exercise psychologist at times, to raise the morale of staff. In my day, also live in a dramatic change in the structures of football itself as a sport and as a business. " He continues: "A captain is the image of a team of players, but also that of a club or a selection. So its role is essential. The day gave me Andoni Zubizarreta Spain bracelet said: I'm so sorry that you have fallen into . " Iron Case himself: "80 or 90% of the effort of a captain is intended to address crisis situations."
But the book not only speaks of the management human resources in the dressing room but contains interesting anecdotes and historical references. For example, one that I liked is that the brazalate is the only element of the uniform of the English team that is manufactured by multinational Adidas. The rest, sweat pants, shirt, shorts, socks, boots, shin pads, hats, gloves, underwear, suitcases ... bears the stamp Adidas. The tape around the arm of the captain is still produced using traditional methods and the Federation is buying the Condor Sports, a sports flagship store located on Calle Conde de Peñalver 22, in the Salamanca district of Madrid, which belongs to family Pardo Blas Ruiz since she was born more than three quarters of a century. Anyone know this shop in Madrid.
Many are the comments of the players who walk through the book of Luis Villarejo. Highlight just a few:
- Santiago Canizares: "Being captain has two joys. The same as the life of a ship: the day that you buy and the day you sell. The first game and when you leave the cuff, are the only two interesting moments. I, let me shed. "
- Fernando Torres: "Years later, we still keep on my mobile the two messages I received after joining Liverpool. Captains Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher gave me a warm welcome. In training are always the first to lead the exercises. His enthusiasm is contagious. "
- Cesc Fabregas: " Good morning, skipper [Good morning, Captain]. When Arsenal employees greet me every morning and still gives me shelter. Arsenal are a big club with history. And I am proud to be part of it. "
- Emilio Butragueño: "The first premise of football is not all captains are leaders, especially when it is inherited by (...). The leader must think that is one of a group. But the group , he wins, that humility and solidarity are two traits of the leader. If it is selfish, even just a little, the group gets it and loses its rank among peers. The generosity and altruism are key. "
I was also surprised that Luis Medina Cantalejo, English referee present at the 2006 World Cup, said:" Knowing something like the rules of the game is something that is not lavish a lot of players, coaches, and if I may, among journalists and fans. "
The book comprises 16 chapters, 2 of which I particularly liked. The first is Chapter 6 entitled: Captain in offices. Communication president, a topic always resort to the captain who makes belt between offices and grass. The second is chapter 8 entitled: from continent to continent. Japan to African dream. I've always been very interested in how cultural differences affect personal relationships (see post Outliers and Power Distance Index ). It is a chapter that Azcargorta Xavier talks about his passage through Bolivia, China and Japan, and how the different cultures of each country determines, first, how to train, and secondly, how to choose the captain. In Latin and Mediterranean attitudes the age factor weighs long while in Saxon are more supporters of charisma and personality. Hence we can say that captains are not leaders and leaders who are not captains.
In short, a book for anyone who likes football and even more for people who like football and people management. The book includes what is not the sport at first sight, what is not broadcast on the camera and only the players, soccer players, living first hand.
Here is a little video interview with Luis Villarejo just after the book presentation ceremony at the City of Las Rozas Football:
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