Something other than a stupid transfer rumour. This is a good read by Henry Winter of the Telegraph.
The secrets behind the development of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, revealed by Rene Meulensteen
Ronaldo’s rise accelerated under Sir Alex Ferguson and the coach Rene Meulensteen at Manchester United particularly at the start of the attacker’s phenomenal 2007-08 season.
“Don’t underestimate the importance of the manager, the father figure," emphasised Meulensteen on the shaping of the then 22-year-old Ronaldo, “but it’s also about details.
"That season we won the Champions League, at the beginning, Ronaldo was suspended for three games [after being sent off at Portsmouth], so I stayed behind to work with him. I knew what Ronaldo wanted. He wanted to be the best player in the world. I told him: ‘I can help you with that. There’s nothing wrong with your work ethic, it’s a wave pushing you forward.’ So I drew this diagram for him, pointing out his details as a player.
“There’s the ‘tactical’ bit, awareness, understanding, decision-making. There’s the ‘physical’; everyone has his peak fitness, especially Ronaldo, his pace, strength, stamina and agility. There’s the ‘personality’, winning mentality and attitude. The last bit is ‘technical’, the basics, passing, shooting, moves, turns, and other skills to dominate the one to one. I asked Ronaldo: ‘Where are you good at?’ He said: ‘Skills.’ ‘OK, so with one-touch and two-touch play, plus the moves you have, will make you unpredictable and therefore very hard to defend against.’“
Meulensteen addressed another issue. “I told him: ‘The problem is also your attitude and therefore your decision-making. At the moment you’re playing to put yourself into the limelight, to say “look at me, how good I am". Therefore, Mr Ronaldo, you are doing a lot that doesn’t mean anything for your team-mates’. He accepted this. I said: ‘You need to score more goals. Targets, aims.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/real-madrid/10272433/The-secrets-behind-the-development-of-Real-Madrids-Cristiano-Ronaldo-revealed-by-Rene-Meulensteen.html
Secret behind Ronaldo's development
posted on 29/8/13
posted on 29/8/13
Very interesting to read.
However, this is yet another media appearance on the part of Meulensteen that seems to be aimed at making sure the world knows how important he was to United's success. He does seem to be either taking it badly that he wasn't allowed to keep his role or putting himself in the shop window (or both).
Furthermore, it doesn't seem like genius coaching to run through Ronaldo's strengths and weaknesses and encourage him to address the areas where he could improve. I reckon most of us fans could have told him he was very talented but he needed to work on his decision-making and sometimes keep it simple rather than show off his technique.
posted on 29/8/13
He does seem to be either taking it badly that he wasn't allowed to keep his role or putting himself in the shop window (or both).
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Probably this. His managerial role didn't exactly last very long when he did leave.
posted on 29/8/13
RR is right, Rene seems to be frothing at the mouth at every opportunity to pontificate on the goings-on at United.
Another impudent attempt at self-aggrandisement by blabbermouth Meulensteen.
posted on 29/8/13
Play for the team as well as for yourself
Wow, incredibly forward thinking unusual coaching advise
Mind you, seems nobody every mentioned it to Steven Gerrard
posted on 29/8/13
I think he's getting a bit too much stick for stating the obvious.
There is a difference between just telling someone to do something, and actually finding a way to get them to take it on board.
posted on 29/8/13
I think the secret behind Ronaldo success is incredible natural talent, and hard work... yes coaching will have some impact, but I think its small... look at Nani, why hasnt he pushed on... because he doesnt have ronaldo mentality.
posted on 29/8/13
Jay, but everything we hear about Ronaldo suggests he is obsessed with self-improvement. I reckon he would have been a very eager listener to all such advice.
Presumably Meulensteen worked with Rooney too?
posted on 29/8/13
It would be like the trainer taking credit for Ronaldo physique... why dont all the players look like him?
posted on 29/8/13
"However, this is yet another media appearance on the part of Meulensteen that seems to be aimed at making sure the world knows how important he was to United's success. He does seem to be either taking it badly that he wasn't allowed to keep his role or putting himself in the shop window (or both). "
Spot on, I've read a few of his interviews recently and he certainly rates himself very highly, put it that way...