Go abroad but not England, Dokter orders
RUUD DOKTER insists the work being done at underage level by the FAI is no different to what is happening in Germany or France and believes some of Ireland’s best talent is lost because of the lure of clubs in England.
The FAI high performance director, who has been a key figure since his appointment five years ago, is adamant that players from this country have an unfair reputation as being technically deficient, insisting their ability is undervalued both at home and throughout the world.
Citing a recent audit by UEFA of the FAI’s Emerging Talent Programme, the Dutchman revealed that a subsequent glowing report, supports his belief that some players could be first-team regulars at clubs in the Eredivisie in his homeland, rather than drifting on loan deals throughout Britain’s lower leagues.
‘It’s about how you develop young players and what we do is similar in Germany or France. To educate our young players in a modern way. And the most important thing for us is what step young players will make when they are 19, 20?’ Dokter began.
‘We have to look beyond England. It’s a very different environment to get into a team there. And to go into a loan system is not very helpful for your development. Go to Denmark, go to Belgium, go to France, go to Holland, challenge yourself.
‘Jack Byrne did it, he played at Cambuur [in Holland]. He had a difficult start with injury but progressed and it was a pity, I would have liked to see him stay on for two or three years.
‘Looking at the [Ireland] Under 19s, I’m sure a few players could have been in the first team in Holland with some teams, in mid league table, they would absolutely be in the first teams and it would be great development. It is very important that these players have the right advice on where they go because much talent is actually lost by not making the right decisions.’
On the perception of Irish players on the world stage, Dokter provided a stout defence of the work being done to develop talent and feels it is wrong to malign those who play below the Premier Legaue in England.
‘I think we undervalue our own players, absolutely. Players that are playing in the Championship are good players. If you play in the Championship, you are a good player. Technically, we don’t have the players? I don’t agree and I will give you an example,’ he added.
‘There is an audit from UEFA and a guy comes in to actually oversee and have an idea of what we do on the Emerging Talent Programme as UEFA oversees that.
‘He sees our national U13 academy. Two teams, 60 players involved and he was so very impressed with the standards involved, one of the best he had seen. Technically all the players could play and he had a different conception of the Irish player.
‘It shows the potential is there and you need to develop it,’ Dokter continued, when pressed about why such talent has yet to flourish at senior level over the last number of years.
‘Sometimes we say we don’t have that, we don’t have the players but that is not true. We have good players at underage and we have to develop them and that is why it’s a collective approach and belief in that is very much needed.’
Stephen Kenny will play a pivotal role in bringing through young talent over the next two years before he assumes control of the senior team from Mick McCarthy on August 1, 2020.
The former Dundalk boss will report to Dokter and oversee the work done by coaches from U15 level to the U19s, ensuring development targets are met.
Robbie Keane, one of the new assistant coaches to McCarthy at senior level, is also set to be a regular observer at the national underage level to help identify talent.
Despite not yet possessing the UEFA Pro Licence, Dokter doesn’t feel this should have prevented him taking the role
‘It’s not the wrong signal at all. It’s fantastic that Robbie Keane, with his profile, wants to be involved with not only the seniors but the other teams.’