paco et rafa ont particulièrement souhaité ameliorer le recrutement des jeunes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PACO ON THE ENDLESS SEARCH FOR NEW TALENT
Mark Platt 11 October 2005
In part-one of our special interview with Paco Herrera, Liverpool's Chief Scout explains the thinking behind the club's new youth recruitment policy and how the scouting network operates.
Unearthing the next young superstar of world football is rather like searching for a needle in a haystack. Occasionally you'll find what you're looking for but it takes time and more often than not the search will prove fruitless.
But rest assured, Liverpool Football Club is doing everything within its powers to ensure that when any budding Ronaldinho's or Rooney's next burst onto the scene they'll do so with the famous Liver Bird emblazoned upon their chest.
The club's scouting department was one of the key areas identified by Rafael Benitez as in need of a revamp shortly after he stepped into the Anfield hot seat during the summer of 2004.
He quickly put plans in place to restructure the whole operation and with his close friend of 20 years Paco Herrera, together with former Academy Director of Recruitment Frank McParland, now spearheading the hunt for new talent, hopes are high that some of the best young footballers in the world will soon be plying their trade in front of the Kop.
Already this season six promising youngsters have been added to the Reds' ranks and the never-ending search continues.
"We are constantly looking out for the best young players across the world," says Herrera. "Part of my role as Chief Scout is to put together a database containing the names of all the most promising young players around the globe.
We are constantly looking out for the best young players across the world. Part of my role as Chief Scout is to put together a database containing the names of all the most promising young players around the globe.
"One area we looking at in particular is England. This department now places a big emphasis on looking for young playersin this country.
"What we are trying to do is compliment the work undertaken by the staff at our Academy, who tend to concentrate on finding young players based in Liverpool or the surrounding area.
"We too are searching for players between the ages of 16 and 18 but from a wider area. It's a very difficult task but our signing of Jack Hobbs from Lincoln is an example.
"We've had another three or four lads on trial recently and hopefully by the end of the season we'll reap the fruits of our labour by signing them.
"The key is to discover these players early because once certain other clubs with more money get involved in negotiations it becomes even more difficult."
No matter how far and wide the scouting net is cast it's inevitable that from time to time some players will slip through unnoticed. However, it's up to Paco, Frank and their staff to make sure that no stone is left unturned in the ongoing quest to improve the squad.
"We have freshened things up in the scouting department this season and we now have our people strategically placed in areas we believe to be the most important in terms of producing talented young players," adds Herrera.
"We have regular meetings with all our scouts, all of whom have expertise in spotting young players, so they know what we are looking for.
"We have a structured report system that basically quantifies and details players' individual attributes. Obviously, each different position requires different qualities but what all potential new signings require is a good character, a good heart and determination.
"On a week-by-week basis we know exactly where all of our scouts are going, while on a monthly basis we'll have an idea of where we'll want them to be and who we want them to see.
"Within a few days of one of our scouts being sent on an assignment they will submit their report to us and we will then take it from there."
So what is the process whena player of potential is spotted?
Herrera concludes: "We will have a player watched three times, each time by a different scout. If all three reports come back positive then we will take it further but that doesn't mean we would automatically sign that player.
"It does show however that we are on the right track and that the player does possess something we are looking for.
"Either Frank or myself will then go and take a look at him. If we agree with the scouts' reports then we'll recommend the player to Rafa. It is then up to him and Rick (Parry) as to whether we go on to close the case and buy the player."
Home