Top European club coaches attend UEFA forum

After a two-year break due to the COVID pandemic, top European club coaches were back again at the House of European football in Nyon to exchange views on the main issues affecting European club competitions and discuss various topics and challenges that concern their work.

Discussions and presentations at this year’s edition of the UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum included competition-related matters such as the new format of UEFA’s club competitions for 2024-27 and the evolution of the financial sustainability system for participating clubs. In addition, special attention was put on refereeing matters, covering topics such as the VAR line of intervention, the Laws of the Game, respect and player behaviour and referee statistics.

UEFA's technical director and chief of football, Zvonimir Boban, said: "This forum is an excellent platform for coaches to share their views on the game, its challenges and its evolution. We heard various opinions around the table and many compelling remarks and suggestions that UEFA will consider when discussing the game's future. Their extensive knowledge of the game is much appreciated and should contribute to European football's overall benefit."

UEFA via Getty Images

The star-studded list of Europe’s top coaches who participated in the forum include: Erik ten Hag (Manchester United FC), Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid CF), Luciano Spalletti (SSC Napoli), Paulo Fonseca (LOSC Lille), Christophe Galtier (Paris Saint-Germain), Oliver Glasner (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Moyes (West Ham United FC), Roger Schmidt (SL Benfica), Rafa Benítez and Thomas Tuchel.

Welcoming the chance to talk with his fellow coaches, Manchester United FC coach Erik ten Hag said: “We met in a little bit more relaxed ambient to talk about the game, coaching, managing and training, and to learn from each other. So, it is really good. It is also good to meet with UEFA, to give opinions and tell what’s on our minds. It’s about making the game better.”

This was the 22nd UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum, an annual gathering of Europe’s leading coaches which has been staged since 1999. Many ideas and proposals presented at past editions of the UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum have contributed to the evolution of European clubs' competitions and Laws of the Game, affirming that the voices of the coaches are listened to and appreciated by UEFA.