Mourinho, Ferguson, Zidane, 10 Other Coaches Discuss New Techniques

Some Europe’s top football coaches Wednesday met to once again chat way-forward for the round leather game.

Jose Mourinho was among the 13 elite coaches present at the UEFA ELITE CLUB COACHES FORUM in Nyon, Switzerland which also had his Manchester United predecessors in attendance as he met with Louis van Gaal and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Mourinho is known by fans as a coach who has always shared a respectful relationship with Ferguson, but that may not be said with Van Gaal, who he has routinely criticised since taking over at Old Trafford in 2016.

Other elite coaches from across Europe including Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, PSG’s Unai Emery and Newcastle’s Rafa Benitez were also present at the 19th edition of the annual conference.

They were also joined by some former

Manchester United’s Mourinho and Real Madrid’s Zidane arrive at the 19th Elite Coaches Forum in Nyon, Switzerland

Sir Alex Ferguson was present as a UEFA Coaching Ambassador at their headquarters as chair of the meeting

Ferguson presents a special plaque to former United manager Van Gaal for coaching 100 European matches at club level

ATTENDEES LIST AT UEFA HQ

Managers

Massimiliano Allegri (Juventus), Rafael Benítez (Newcastle), Eduardo Berizzo (Sevilla), Sergio Conceicao (Porto), Unai Emery (PSG), Bruno Genesio (Lyon), Leonardo Jardim (Monaco), Jose Mourinho (Manchester United), Maurizio Sarri (Napoli), Ernesto Valverde (Barcelona), Rui Vitoria (Benfica) and Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid).

Players

Xabi Alonso, Deco, Leonardo, Peter Schmeichel, Clarence Seedorf, Dejan Stanković, David Trezeguet and Javier Zanetti.

With Ferguson acting as chair, the meeting is designed to give Europe’s most influential coaches a chance to express their concerns and exchange views on the major issues facing European competition.

One notable absentee from the star-studded line-up of was Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has been an influential figure at the conference in years gone by.

Although his absence was unexplained. There was also no sight of Pep Guardiola, who is hoping to bring Sanchez to Manchester City before Thursday’s deadline.

The day will also see UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin meet with former players including Peter Schmeichel and Xabi Alonso to discuss issues affecting today’s stars.

They will discuss a wide range of topics including competition rules, laws of the game, football promotion, education and post-football activities.

It was a rare sighting of former Manchester United manager Van Gaal, who has yet to take on new work since his dismissal from Old Trafford. It was a worthwhile trip as he was presented with a special plaque for managing 100 European matches at club level.