by Jordan Jones
JOÃO Sacramento’s university study of Jose Mourinho’s coaching model helped him secure his new role as assistant manager at Tottenham Hotspur.
That is the view of Football Association of Wales Trust technical director David Adams, who taught Sacramento at the then University of Glamorgan.
Sacramento thoroughly analysed Mourinho’s coaching methodology of ‘tactical periodisation’, a method Mourinho has implemented throughout his illustrious coaching career.
The former student took so much pride in his work that he submitted it to the two-time Champions League winner, who was impressed by the standard and the detail.
Sacramento has since followed in the footsteps of Mourinho, adapting his philosophy during his coaching roles with Lille and Monaco.
“I can see why he’s ended up working with Mourinho because of the training methodology and the way that he works will be very aligned to how Mourinho works,” said Adams.
“He studied that at the University of South Wales as part of my football degree programme.
“Mourinho’s got a clear methodology of work. His methodology is called ‘tactical periodization’ which is a training football methodology.
“Whilst Joao was studying, a lot of his research projects and dissertation around his master’s degree ran around him studying the tactical insights of this model. He did a paper with me and Ryland Morgan which focused on it.
“As a coach since leaving education, he’s followed that tactical model and training that Mourinho developed in Portugal.”
Sacramento’s playing career was a short one, as he opted for a career in coaching. Instead, his pathway into the professional game was through internships with Cardiff City and the Football Association of Wales.
Previously donning Glamorgan colours during his time of study in south Wales, at Spurs Sacramento will be tasked with coaching players like World Cup winner Hugo Lloris and captain Harry Kane.
He won’t be afraid of the challenges of managing such individuals though, added Adams.
“Top players will only respect you if what you deliver is credible. What you say adds value to them as individuals, whether you’ve played at a high level or whether you didn’t doesn’t come into it as such anymore.
“You may have a level of respect coming into it because you’ve got a career behind you but that can quickly be diminished if the level of content, delivery, knowledge and support isn’t there for the players.
“Given Joao’s level of experience in dealing with current players, I’m sure the quality of his work will be respected by those players.
“For someone so young he’s got a high level of experience, but also a high level of understanding through his education pathway at the University of South Wales in what is a bespoke tailored programme.
“It gives you the applied vocational knowledge as well. What comes before that journey is a whole lot of work, craft and motivation get to that stage.”