22.5.13

Champions League - The Germans Rule




With the Champions League final just days away it’s a distinct German affair. Out of the 8 last Champions League finals 7 have contained at least one English club, now to be 7/9, where as in this same time frame only 2 finals have played host to a German club. Why now? What are they doing that we aren’t?

Many suggest it all stems back to the German FA completely re-organising their ‘footballing blueprint’, its no secret that the German national team is known for their organisation and strict formations, something the English national team has fallen foul to a few times. But this wasn’t enough for the German FA.

It took time and patience but for years they’ve been re-organising from the bottom up, starting with the academies, each one must have at least 12 players eligible to play for the National team, something the English FA should perhaps look towards considering our top leagues foreign player bias. Showing a keen interest in nurturing home talent has certainly worked with players like Gotze, Reus, Kroos and Muller wowing fans on a weekly basis. Its not only personnel they’ve had an influence over its also the facilities all academies must have grass pitches, artificial pitches, floodlights, massage rooms, etc etc. Yes it cost money, however its evident the investment is paying off.

At the top they introduced the 50 + 1 rule for club ownership, meaning all but two German clubs in the top league are member-owned ruling out a Mr Money Bags takeover who perhaps wouldn’t follow the new German ethos.

Its taken time but with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, who fnished 1st and 2nd respectively in the Bundesliga, taking to the pitch in this years final it is clear they’re doing something right.

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