Transformation coach! Larana: Only after becoming a coach can Klopp feel the pressure he was shouldering

Former Liverpool player Adam Larana was interviewed and talked about his feelings about his transformation to join the Southampton coaching staff, former mentor Klopp and upcoming matches.

What is your biggest feeling when transforming from a player to a coach?

When the head coach asked me to take a training class, or I conceived a training class myself, I immediately felt that heartbeat in my chest: "Oh, I have to prepare this, I hope it will be perfect. What's my point? Who do I have, and will things change at the last minute?" I think it's good to have that feeling because I'm outside my comfort zone. This is the state I want. Because only in this way can I learn something.

I spent two months resting at the end of last season. I found myself staying in my garden at some strange time. For example, at 11 a.m., I was having coffee. I thought to myself, I would never usually stay in the garden at 11 a.m.! As your career is approaching the end, many players will naturally say, “Oh, I no longer love football”, maybe because of injuries or because you have less and less playing time.

My mentality has always been very natural and I can look at things separately. Yes, it's really hard when your body slows down, but I still love the sport and everything it stands for. I'm still passionate about playing and helping players. Coaching is basically helping players. Lead a team, develop this team, and then help the team win, succeed and become better.

How do you define your coaching style and what are you learning?

I am very strict when bringing passes or training in groups. I think this is good, but at the same time, there are different types of learners. There are visual learners and cognitive learners, in addition to maintaining high requirements at all times, there are other ways to get results from training classes. These are the things I'm exploring. You can set up certain exercises and let the players learn from the rules and repetitions.

Looking back on the career of a player, what impact did Klopp have on you? As a coach now, how do you think of him?

When I took the first step in coaching, I realized more about what Klopp did. I have been managing a giant like Liverpool for so long, and I have been carrying such a lot of pressure on my shoulders.

(We once reviewed a game) I immediately felt, "Oh my god, this is a Klopp team." We played 4-3-3 formation, with regional defense, counter-pressure, and no one-pointing. It's like (on the opposing team) everyone is the target of our defense. This is Klopp's philosophy. Football looked a little different eight years ago. We have barely ever organized an offense from the backcourt. The goal balls are all passed directly and long, and then they compete for the second landing point. That's wild football. That's what Klopp wanted. He never overcomplicates things, but he demands very much. Extremely harsh.

As a player, you will be upset with him when you don't have to play, but you won't think about all the decisions he needs to make, and the other 24 people he needs to take care of. I know I played a big role in Klopp’s coaching days and I’m very proud of it. During his coaching period, I wasn't the best player, but at some stage, I was Klopp's guy.

I am his man, just like when Southgate first started coaching England. I took the responsibility and tried to pass on their philosophy to the entire team. Now I feel very honored to talk about Klopp. Maybe my body has paid some price for it, and I am not the strongest in body. Maybe my body wasn't born for the kind of "heavy metal football" all over the game, but I would never exchange anything with my experience.

How are you working with current head coach Steele?

He was very enthusiastic about me: "You can come here, you can learn, if you have the part you want to do, there is nothing you can't do, if you have the idea, try it."

When you change from a player to a coach, you really feel nervous. It was totally two different things, but from the moment we talked, I knew I wanted to work for him, be an apprentice under him and support him. If I could do anything to Steele, his team and his players, I would be more than happy.

source:bd kq 7m