Hey who was it around here that recommended the book "Desperate Soccer Moms" by Coach Illingworth? Really great suggestion so thanks. Just finished. The criticism around the "Desperate Soccer Moms" and "Desperate Soccer Dads" is right on. It's a great read.
The funny thing, is, though, that while he recognizes he made some mistakes as a coach, he's kind of oblivious that many of the things he preached in his career are exactly at the heart of what's wrong with coaching in this US including: a) a win at all cost mentality going so far as to recruit starters from Bakersfield to play in San Diego that NEVER practice with the team, b) a focus on recruiting instead of developing the players he had, c) conflicts of interest with parents, and while he doesn't engage in them, relationships by his peers which are wholly inappropriate, d) bullying and abuse of players, e) bullying and abuse of referees (including a minor) e) the development of the old physical and direct soccer US style, and f) while I get play time should be merit based, particularly at the highest and older levels, 0 play time for an 8 year old is wholly in appropriate. The end result is a book that admits he made mistakes because he failed to play politics, and emphasized winning too much, not because of what he did was counterproductive to US soccer and the kids themselves.
At the same time, he deserves a whole lot of credit for building a system in the 80s and 90s when there wasn't a lot around. You get to see in the book why the pay or play system arose and what needs it answered. Part of the problem was that it was also built by English coaches, which at the time England was undergoing its own growing pains (and it's not like the cream of the crop came here). I can't help but think what a different system we would have had those early innovators been Continental European or Mexican, both for the good and bad.
