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Interviews with the World Cup Coaches By Myak Homberger There is always so much focus on the teams and the players as
World Cups come and go but so often little is mentioned about the coach unless there is an inspired decision or sadly a bizarre one that leads to a loss.
In the lead up to the World Cup I have been very fortunate to spend time with a number of the coaches during the Cyprus Cup
and chat about all sorts from formations, to highs and lows and training regimes. But just to give you some stats first.
The first World Cup saw five female coaches lead their national teams, this figure has risen slightly to seven in the latest tournament.
Of these women only Silvia Neid of Germany (who we interviewed last issue) will be making her third appearance. Pia Sundhage of
Sweden will be making her second appearance with the balance of the female coaches all making their first appearance, what a cauldron to enter!
Streets ahead of all the other male coaches is Even Pellerud of
Norway who will lead his side to his 5th World Cup, a remarkable feat for any coach. With thirteen of the male coaches making their debuts this will be a very interesting World Cup from a coaching point of view.
Each coach I spoke to has had very different things to contend
with as they approach the World Cup. The Matildas, along with
the Football Ferns have the biggest geographical challenges as well as getting game time. As Matilda’s coach Alen Stajcic said to
me,”...the balancing act for us is geography and getting games 86 May 2015