Rui Faria: Creating a new era for football

Training Ground Guru Podcast

Our guest on Episode #43 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Rui Faria.

Rui was Jose Mourinho's assistant for 17 years, during which time they achieved huge levels of success. They won at least one trophy a season in that time, including league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, as well as two Champions Leagues.

In this pod Rui covers a range of subjects, including tactical periodisation, style of play, the use of data, neuroscience and why he still regards Mourinho as #1.

=> SHOW NOTES:

01:45: Why hasn't he done any interviews?

03:58: How he got involved in football.

05:42: Tactical periodisation.

11:38: First contact with Jose Mourinho. First meeting in Barcelona. Thinking 'out of the box'.

15:20: "I think we marked an era in football."

21:20: Difficult times early on at Leiria. Meeting of minds.

25:55: Coming into Chelsea. New approach for the players. 'Special One'. What his role as assistant involved.

31:16: Training mental skills and emotional control. Inter v Barca in 2010 Champions League semis as an example.

43:00: Man management. Need to treat everyone as an individual.

49:30: Different styles of play. Need for pragmatism. Making sure young players are prepared for their opportunities. Some players not ready, eg Mo Salah at Chelsea.

58:12: Remembering watching Ronaldo and Messi for the first time, when they were both 16.

1:06:00: Being accused of being a defensive coach. How style of play has evolved in England since they first arrived.

1:13:02: Importance of context when using data.

1:14:40: Defiant about scrapping GPS at Manchester United. How it has become too dominant within sport science. Role of neuroscience.

1:27:24: Stepping down at Manchester United. "I left a job millions would love to be doing." Ambitions for the future.

1:30:16: Would he work with Mourinho again? "They were fantastic unforgettable moments."