The Inside Scoop: Unveiling the Secrets Behind Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham's Spectacular Rise - Insights from Renowned Coach Rene Maric

Rene Maric has been on a football hiatus since his departure from Leeds United in February. However, don't be mistaken by thinking he's lost his passion. The former Borussia Dortmund assistant coach is still infatuated with the sport, captivated by its intricacies.

At one point, Maric would devour an impressive one hundred games per month. His weekly routine consisted of leading a training session on Friday evening, followed by tuning in to the late LaLiga match. On Saturday afternoons, he would immerse himself in a Premier League game before seamlessly transitioning to the Bundesliga, and then back to LaLiga.

Sunday used to consist of coaching a game, followed by watching more games. Then, at the beginning of the subsequent week, I would visit the WhoScored website to identify the most captivating matches from the weekend and rewatch them. In just three days, I would typically watch around 13 or 14 games. However, I have become more discerning in my choices now.

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Maric wants to show what he can do as a head coach after assistant roles in Dortmund and Leeds

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He receives recommendations from his contacts on teams that are strategically captivating in the present time. "It's beneficial. I don't have to scrutinize 50 teams to discover six that pique my interest. I receive 10 suggestions and end up liking around eight of them." One team that has fascinated him with their progress is Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.

"By watching just six games, you can literally keep track of their entire season. You can observe the alterations in their playing style, how they adapted to David De Gea's build-up, how they modified their rotations, and how they tackled challenges posed by a high press. You can truly witness Ten Hag's influence, which is intriguing."

Maric's expertise in tactics and strategy originates from his role as one of the creators of Spielverlagerung, a groundbreaking football website based in Germany. Through his insightful analysis, Maric has garnered a devoted following and gained widespread recognition, even influencing the language used in the game.

However, the narrative of Maric simply transitioning from blogger to coach does not accurately depict his journey. In fact, Maric began coaching at the young age of 17, long before his writing endeavors. "I fearlessly experimented with innovative ideas that others may not have been bold enough to try. It was more than just a concept to me; I was able to put it into action." While his writing may have started as a sideline endeavor, it played a significant role in fueling his passion.

He received an invitation to discuss his ideas with Thomas Tuchel, which prompted rapid advancement within the ranks of Red Bull Salzburg. Subsequently, he provided invaluable assistance to Marco Rose at Borussia Monchengladbach and Dortmund. Ultimately, Jesse Marsch facilitated his transition to the Premier League with Leeds.

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Maric gives instructions to the Leeds United players in October 2022

Marsch's association with three Red Bull owned teams suggests a strong connection, however, Maric does not conform to the expected stereotype of a 'Red Bull coach'. While he acknowledges the appeal of the high-intensity pressing game, he emphasizes that it does not solely define his coaching style. According to him, although he agrees with the concept of applying early pressure and controlling the rhythm, his ideas about possession differ significantly from the traditional Red Bull approach.

He reflects on his early influences and inspirations, expressing his admiration for Barcelona and Ajax's style of football. He also remembers how, even at the amateur level, the teams he coached would consistently dominate possession, even in competitions where kick-and-rush tactics were the norm.

According to him, players have a natural affinity for playing with the ball, which is why they are drawn to football from a young age. This belief has remained with him and distinguishes his approach from that of Red Bull. His philosophy is centered around his desire for his teams to maintain possession, prioritize width on the field, display patience, and control the tempo of the game. Ultimately, this leads to a sense of dominance.

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Working alongside Erling Haaland during his tenure at Borussia Dortmund allowed him to refine his ideas. The presence of talented individuals like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham at Dortmund amazed him. He described their remarkable self-motivation, professionalism from an early age, and their rapid learning capabilities.

Erling's ability to seamlessly transition his training skills into the game is truly remarkable. His constant eagerness to learn is evident, and it reflects in his performance on the field. These individuals always have the 11 versus 11 match scenario at the forefront of their minds, regardless of the drill, discussion, video session, or individual practice session. They are always connected to the upcoming game on Saturday, particularly envisioning the large crowd and formidable opponents.

"They possess an innate propensity to acquire knowledge at an accelerated pace compared to their counterparts. This inherent advantage becomes more pronounced as they participate in numerous sessions over the years. The fundamental disparity lies in their remarkable capacity for improvement, coupled with an unparalleled level of professionalism and ambition that has been evident since their early days."

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Maric rates Jude Bellingham as the complete player at a young age

Bellingham is already considered a complete player, as he has impressed with his skills at a young age. Haaland, on the other hand, has worked on improving his weaknesses and has reached a whole new level. This is exactly what Erling is achieving at Manchester City. His consistency and intelligent participation in all phases of the game are growing, which is truly impressive.

Maric, who is currently based in Berlin, has been closely following the journeys of both players during his time off. While he has enjoyed spending time with his family, he has also dedicated his time to observing various teams and their training sessions. When asked to list the teams that currently intrigue him, the list is extensive.

Always the fanatic.

According to Maric, Newcastle is the "most thrilling team in football," yet his fascination with English football goes beyond that. He appreciates Swansea's strategic rotations and the diverse playing styles exhibited by Ipswich. Additionally, he even mentions four second-tier German teams that have caught his attention.

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Outside of Europe, he closely follows the tactical debate between "relationism and positionism." He highlights the use of "extreme overloads" by Fluminense in Brazil and Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa. These teams prioritize ball possession but pay less attention to spatial awareness and instead focus more on timing, considering them as two interconnected aspects.

From Malmo to River Plate, from Napoli to Feyenoord, this fascination with the intricacies of the game remains apparent. However, the example of Benfica coach Roger Schmidt, who was once associated with Red Bull, seems particularly relevant. He has undergone significant changes in his approach.

Maric is now ready to showcase his abilities as a head coach. Having successfully obtained his UEFA Pro Licence, he has politely declined several offers, patiently awaiting the perfect project. "If I come across it, I will readily embrace it," he asserts. "I am enthusiastic, but I must exercise wisdom."

A club that recognizes Maric's potential will make an intelligent choice.

If you have a unique idea and firmly believe it is the best, showing a level of confidence necessary to succeed, that is when you can take the leap and achieve success. Personally, I have felt prepared since my second year at Gladbach.

I consistently seek out ways to gain a competitive edge. It is evident that many clubs are hesitant to pursue innovation due to the associated risks. As a club, you bear the responsibility for individuals both inside and outside of the organization. Taking risks and embarking on new ventures is not always a comfortable position to be in.

Every day, you are evaluated and stories are created based on each choice you make, regardless of the method and rationale behind it. When another person accomplishes something with success, it becomes evident to those both within and outside the situation, consequently making it more effortless. This, in turn, results in a trend of imitation.

Nevertheless, when it comes to your own personal experience, your connection with risk and innovation varies. Being the first to undertake something brings delight, but it also presents challenges.

Ideally, a club should also recognize this, but if they take a risk and fail, they face severe criticism. However, if a club follows the crowd and fails, it is considered more acceptable. This dynamic changes for a young coach, as it is beneficial to stand out. Personally, I am excited to witness the development and implementation of my own innovative ideas.