Mark Wotte: Focus on developing individuals

The former SFA Performance Director left his position in October. Picture: SNS

Wotte quit as Scottish Football Association performance director in October, just over three years into a new role that was designed to reap benefits by 2020.

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And the Dutchman expressed frustration at some mindsets in Scottish football as he warned that more youth coaches needed to focus on the individuals.

In an interview with online magazine Inside Futbol, Wotte said: “I’m not sure if academy managers in Scotland have picked up what is essentially the most important aspect for current football youngsters: to be recognised as individuals with their own potential and DNA, to be treated as football pupils/students, to be educated as world-class footballers and prospects for their clubs and to become part of a better future within the first team or somewhere higher up with a decent ROI (return on investment).

“The seven performance schools in Scotland do ensure a proper individual foundation, but it is down to the clubs to bring those kids to fruition between 16 and 20 years of age.

“However, if it continues to be all about team coaching and winning at certain clubs then Scottish football will stagnate or even go backwards again.”

Wotte claimed a number of young Scotland internationals had benefited from leaving for England at an early age and stated that the 12-team Scottish Premiership was too small.

He also suggested that the SFA should have more responsibility for checking financial mismanagement in clubs.

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