UGO EHIOGU (in a Spurs shirt!): England won't improve while players have to be persuaded to play in all these friendlies

Published: 01:45 EST, 28 August 2013 | Updated: 12:31 EST, 28 August 2013

Ugo Ehiogu is the former Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and England defender. Since retiring from football Ehiogu has taken his first moves into coaching and is working on a part-time basis with the Tottenham U16 squad. Ehiogu was also part of Peter Taylor's coaching team who went to the U20 World Cup in Turkey. In his debut Footballers' Football Column, Ehiogu explains where he believes English football is going wrong and how to fix it. He also explains his involvement with one of the most hotly tipped bands of 2013. Before you read his column, watch his video below...

 

The Footballers' Football Column with Ugo Ehiogu

Since hanging up my boots one of my passions has been taking my first steps into elite coaching, with experiences at both club and international level – and it has been somewhat eye opening.

It is clear from looking at the results of the England teams over the summer in the Under 20 and Under 21 tournaments that there is a problem with the game in this country. One of the main issues is that England do not have a DNA which outlines how they play.

This is not a new thing. I played for England at U21 and senior levels and did not know how England were supposed to play, other than to pass and move .

Earning his Spurs: Ugo Ehiogu has started his coaching career working with the Tottenham U16s

There was no definitive style or way of how we were going to play. I believe what English international football needs, certainly at development level, is a Head coach to direct and steer how England teams are going to play, and then that dictates the type of players we choose to recruit.

In my role as assistant U16 coach at Tottenham, there is a clear DNA outlined at the club through out the academy ages.

That DNA is laid out and passed down from Tim Sherwood, Head of Football Development, John McDermott, Head of Academy, and the wonderfully experienced Chris Ramsey, who is Senior Professional Phase Coach.

The way that Tottenham teams play is clear and all the coaches know what is expected of them. The emphasis is on technique at a very early age and the idea is to try and produce players who can progress into the first team, or go on and make a living in the game.

At international level, generally speaking, I think the players need to improve technically and apply themselves better, during training and games. This requires, adaptable forward thinking coaches. The whole English mentality needs to change, so we take friendlies  and tournaments as serious as the other successful countries.

England have not won a tournament game at U20 level going back 16 years, this is not a recent or new issue at this level . A plan of how you want England teams to play. Spain have a DNA, Germany have a DNA and many other countries have a DNA,  England, for such a prominent nation don't, or have stagnated and been left behind.

Players  should want to go to World Cup tournaments, and friendly games without being cajoled or convinced to go. Clubs have a major role in accepting this and have to be more accommodating in letting players go. Until we change some of these facets in our game, including our mentality, then international football performances and results will not get any better.

Football talks: Ehiogu spoke to Trevor Brooking and FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth in Turkey

Teamwork: Ehiogu (left) was part of Peter Taylor's backroom staff for the England U20s at the World Cup

Looking at the Spanish side that won the U21 tournament, they had David De Gea in goal,  Manchester United’s first choice keeper. Yes, there are more experienced players in front of him, but you can’t knock the fact that a lot of other countries put a big importance on international youth football and  tournaments than we do.

I was fortunate enough to be asked to go to the U20 World Cup as part of the England coaching team. I had never met Peter Taylor before, but had heard and seen good things.  

The tournament experience helped confirm how I believe the game should be played. The atmosphere you create within the group on a tour like that is important. It can set the tone for performances on the pitch and things were spot on in that sense.

Disappointment: Conor Coady and Adam Reach look dejected as England U20s crashed out of the World Cup without winning a game

Down and out: England's Harry Kane reacts after missing a goal during a group stage of the World Cup

While In Turkey there were a lot of football conversations, Sir Trevor Brooking, Dan Ashworth, Peter Taylor and various scouts. For me, we need to be BRAVE, better technically as coaches and players, and set a way and style of playing to make players better.

If you come to watch games at Tottenham, in particular at development level you will notice how we try and play, in a certain way with a certain style.

My hope is to see an England team that tries to play flowing interchangeable football, that can mix it with the best teams through physique and technique. its the way forward.

Centre halves stepping into midfield because a hole appears then one of the midfielders can drop in and allow the centre half to  go and play, eventually rotating  back into position.

First team level is always different because you are not trying to develop players, it is the sharp end and its about getting results.

Leading the way: Tim Sherwood helps set the standards at Spurs with the clubs DNA

But when you are getting players up to that level to get into the first team then they have had a philosophy in place for the last three or four years. There will be defeats along the way, maybe even heavy, but the big picture must surely be envisaged, that its about the long haul and development.

I have been coach in a game ending 7-3. Normally you would be thinking, ‘how has that happened?’ But too much emphasis is put on results when you are developing.

It is more important about how they play. If you are asking them to do things and be more expressive then there are going to be mistakes and you have to allow for that.

At Spurs winning a Youth game by being safe, unimaginative, and technically poor, doesn't sit well at all. I am interested in how many of that team will progress into the Tottenham first team, or have a career in football in another first team.

Breaking through: Ehiogu was selected for the England squad by Terry Venables with the likes of Matt Le Tissier, Alan Shearer and Neil Ruddock ahead of Euro 96

Coming through the ranks: Ehiogu made 15 appearances for the England U21 before winning our senior caps

Golden goal: Ehiogu scored against Spain in Sven Goran Eriksson's first game in charge in 2001

Results cannot be the only aim at developmental ages. You have to think about how players are playing and are you helping to mould and develop the player that can can adapt to any situation and style of playing.

As a player I worked with a lot of very good coaches and managers, Steve Harrison at Villa and  Middlesbrough is someone who had a big influence on me and was a very good defensive coach in my career.

Steve McClaren was very good as was Brian Little, I have also been lucky to have played under Terry Venables and Ron Atkinson, some big characters in the game, so its inevitable you pick up bits from all of them, then you have to find a way that sits well with you. I think I have found that.

Heading to Wembley: Ehiogu helped Aston Villa win the League Cup in 1996

Winning feeling: Ehiogu won his second League Cup with Gareth Southgate at Middlesbrough

Two of the best: Ehiogu enjoyed working under Ron Atkinson at Villa and Steve McClaren at Boro

Outside of coaching, I am developing a mentoring programme for young players. We are looking to work with players from around  14 upwards, trying to convey the  risks that are out there.

It is the sort of issues that people don't like to talk about. Stuff like talking about girls, cars, money, agents, decisions that every player/person should be better informed to make.

Our aim is to get the message across, but getting it across in a way that is not going to bore them sat in a classroom.

Boys in the band: Ehiogu's record label Dirty Hit have signed 1975 who release their debut album in September

I was fortunate that I had two parents at home who were quite strict and taught me a lot of my values that stand me well today.

The programme is in the finishing stages but we hope to trial it at a club’s academy to see how it works and how it can be improved and then hopefully rolled out across the country.

Away from football I have  an interest in a record label called Dirty Hit. There are three of us involved, me, my advisor and a friend of his. I've always loved the way music can touch individuals, be it through hip hop, dance, pop, jazz, whatever. The label has many promising musicians, including The 1975.

VIDEO: Watch the 1975's single Chocolate

My involvement has got slightly less as other things have come up. I enjoy attending meetings and looking at the books and going to the gigs.

When you meet the young guys in these bands you see how hard they work, i liken it to being an apprentice in football, back in the day.They manage their own sets, moving all their instruments, there are no roadies and they are on the road every night for weeks in a ford transit van or people carriers, Not exactly rock n roll

Its unglamorous, and hard work and the endeavour that I like. In the beginning there are similarities between young bands and footballers, but if and when they do make it then their lives go in different directions.

Listening to the 1975 single Chocolate, its apparent that this song is special, which is why they have been tipped to do great things.

I am looking forward to their album coming out in September, and the guys enjoying their American experience soon after.

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