Jorge Jesus takes part in The Future of Football panel on coaching

Jorge Jesus was one of the speakers in Panel I (Coaching: what makes the difference?) this Wednesday, at The Future of Football International Congress.

"When I was a young lad I used to hear people say: that team doesn't have a way of playing. So what does that actually mean? Well today I know that youth football makes an important contribution and it is at that level that we set out certain rules with the players. That is where we build up a collective identity. Of course there are no exact sciences in football. Each coach has different ideas and ways of training, but we all slip up sometimes. For example, I might start in 3x4x3 formation, but that doesn't mean I won't change it during the match. I am sure that the future will see football follow the examples of sports like handball and basketball, where a lot of tactical and strategic changes happen during the match", said the Alvalade coach.

Fernando Santos speaks with Sporting TV about last year's Euro win

The Portuguese national coach, Fernando Santos, spoke with Sporting TV in an extensive interview as part of this week's The Future of Football International Congress. Asked about what it takes to win on the top European stage, Santos highlighted the importance of self-belief.

“My conviction that we could win Euro 2016 was linked to the quality of Portuguese football. That was the foundation of it. We have a lot of quality players, in our training and in our organisation, so of course I believed", opened the Portuguese coach, continuing: "We have to be fully aware of what is needed to win and that means scoring goals, but we also have to know how to defend. You really need a good balance at both ends. In football there is only one thing you can sure of: if you don't let goals in then you won't lose."

Pedro Proença, Fernando Gomes and João Paulo Rebelo speak on day 1

After Bruno de Carvalho's opening speech, the president of the Portuguese Football League, Pedro Proença, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernando Gomes, and the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, João Paulo Rebelo, took to the stage to share their thoughts.

Proença used the opportunity to highlight the importance of this kind of event: "Taking about the future of football is essential. Portuguese football has produced some great talents since the turn of the century and Sporting CP is one of the most relevant clubs in that. A lot of players made the move to big clubs in the 1990's, which lifted up the club's name too. All of those players have one thing in common: they are from the youth system. That is how your prepare the future."

The League president went on to speak further about the importance of Portugal's youth systems: "As a football country, we are one of the best. Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon D'Or, we won Euro 2016 and Portuguese coaches continue to be some of the best in the world. We want to claim the place we should have on the world stage and this quality of conference contributes to that."

Fernando Gomes also highlighted the impact of the event. "This event will bring together an discussion in the future of national and international football. Sporting CP are our hosts and we thank the club for such an efficient organisation of a project that will help us reflect and learn from the best examples", said the Federation president, followed by the backing of João Paulo Rebelo: "Last year I said here that this event would carry on growing. Seeing who is taking part this year, I wasn't mistaken. Initiatives like this are essential for football."

Youth stars Gonçalo Vieira and Gil Santos at The Future of Football Congress to listen to their heroes

In addition to the Sporting CP youth coach Tiago Fernandes, the central defender Gonçalo Vieira and the striker Gil Santos also spoke at The Future of Football International Congress this week, in Estádio José Alvalade. 

The Future of Football Congress sent for second running

After the outstanding success of the first Future of Football Congress, Sporting will host a second edition, on the 20th and 21st of April. Board Member Luís Roque spoke with the Sporting website this week about what we can expect from the event.

“We want it to be a congress with international visibility, with a quality that is just as good as the last one or maybe even better. We want the fans to get involved, along with everyone else who likes football. The idea is for the congress to generate discussions which can contribute to a variety of football related themes. The questions which we will tackle can add to the football debate around Europe and the rest of the World. The congress gives us the chance to bring together people who are really relevant for football in Europe and around the world, which allows us share ideas that will help Sporting going into the future", explained Luís Roque, before speaking about the speakers who have been invited to take part: "The panels are pretty much all new. About 90% of the speakers are participating for the first time and they will contribute with very distinct things. We have a panel on inovation, which will talk about new technologies. Sporting is the only club in Portugal which supports the use of technologies to help referees and that is an example of the kind of ideas we can bring to the world of football."

For more information, or to get involved, visit www.thefutureoffootball.org