About

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Why did you choose Spain?

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• For the warmth, the knowledge, and the opportunity to experience football in a top football country with a different philosophy to ours.

• Closer to home, easy to go back and forth from England.

• My wife and I felt it was the best place for our young children to grow up whilst learning another language and about a different culture to the one they were so used to back in the UK.

• For personal reasons, I have a residency here and I wanted to take the opportunity to learn from another football culture.

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What is the best thing about living in Spain?

• The weather is great. The people are more relaxed. The football is excellent. Cities are built around public transport and walking, so you have all of your conveniences on your doorstep like supermarkets, gyms, bars, restaurants, and train stations.

• The beaches, I always found that there was things to do.

• Hard to name just one, but I’d say the weather is an obvious answer as it enables you to spend more time outside which in turns generally enables you to interact with the local community more.

• The relaxed atmosphere and environment and the tactical knowledge of the players.

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What took some getting used to after moving to Spain?

• If you don't have air conditioning or a fan, you could be out of luck.

• The language, and the local accent. I won’t ever get used to entirely but if you commit to learning enough to get by as soon as you get there you will be able to enjoy life that much more because of it and experience more than just an expat perspective which for me is too good an opportunity to miss.
• The very direct nature in which people talk, they are very blunt and to the point which can sometimes come across in a negative way but is more often than not meant to help you.

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What is the standard of football like in Spain?

• Like anywhere, it depends, and you can still find some bad stuff. But in general, it's very high, and probably the best place I've ever seen.

• In terms of the level of talent, it’s very high. The average number of naturally talented footballers per year in the youngest age groups is very high….they are very football literate at that early age.

• In terms of the the way that pool of talent develops, I’d say as a nation in general Spain doesn’t develop and therefore make the most of that talent pool….due to 95% of development age groups still operating with too much of a short term plan, results based football is lauded way too early and that has an impact.

• Very high across the board.

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What are some key cultural differences in Spain that someone may need to beware of before moving?

• Apart from the tourist areas, English isn't as prominent as many other parts of the world. So you'll have to have a decent base level of Spanish. Smoking is still allowed in many areas. Culturally, it is expected to greet everyone and say goodbye to everyone when entering or leaving a room.

• I found the lifestyle to be extremely chilled.

• Football wise, the sport is still king here by some way. Minority sports are emerging as competitors to football for the best kids, but that’s still less prevalent than in the UK The main thing though…results focus. 8 year old standing over the ball to stop a quick free kick, long throws bombarding tiny defenders at the age of 10 and coaches/parents arguing or confronting referees over key decisions teenage age groups. I know you get in the UK but the investment in coach education has helped so much there….it’s a big issue still in Spain Best practice really only seems to exist at the top 10/15 clubs in Spain. Below them, the game and the development models are disappointing.

• The very blunt approach and way of communicating, being used to receiving opinions whether warranted or not. Occasional stubbornness, sometimes the Spanish can be very wary of someone from the outside so you have to prove yourself very quickly (speaking the language really helps).

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Have you been able to forge a social life in Spain?

• In general, the people are quite friendly, and will be happy to strike up conversations. The bar and restaurant culture is very big, with people just hanging out with their friends until late at night.

• Yes! This was a big thing, I managed to make friends through going to meet up’s etc. this is something I haven’t been able to do in other countries.

• Yes - half and half, Spanish and expat. The Spanish are so friendly and supportive if you commit to get involved. I love the people and their attitude to life. It does help to retain expat friends for support or just a beer without having to think too hard about the language!

• Yes there’s plenty of opportunity for a good social life here.

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How safe and welcome do you feel in Spain?

• Very safe and very welcome.

• In all honesty I felt as though that people just mind their own business and leave you to get on with yours, sometimes the police aren’t genuine when you need help.

• Very safe and very welcome - both score highly.

• Very.

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What changes do you see happening in the future of Spanish football?

• Most things in Spanish football seem quite ingrained, especially due to their success. Perhaps a widening of the gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid and the rest of the teams.

• I know what they need but I’m really not sure they’ll actually change a great deal - they still produce good teams with their survival of the fittest methods but could have a much deeper pool of players (England so much stronger in this respect at national and age group levels now in terms of squad depth and talent pool on general) if they commit to develop young players of a longer period of time.

• I would like to see a more open and accessible coach education pathway, I would like to see more clubs offering internships and study visits.

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If you had to convince someone to come to Spain, what would you tell them?

• Do it. You'll learn so much.

• Go for it! Although there is better countries to live/ explore in my opinion, it’s an easier way of living.

• That if they have good experience and knowledge/qualifications in the UK, they could really have an impact here if they committed to learn the language and didn’t have expectations of earning much money!

• Outside football, just come and try it. get out if your comfort zone and spend some time here - beautiful country, so much to see and do.

• You will absolutely learn on how to improve your football practice in whatever part of the game it is. The knowledge and the football culture here is outstanding.

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What are some of the misconceptions you have been presented with in regards to Spain?

• Although Spain is very good, not all football is possession based, and not all coaches are knowledgeable and forward thinking.

• That they play a technical or tiki taka style of football everywhere in Spain - this couldn’t be further from the truth. A very high proportion of teams play direct, results based football and rely on physicality, second ball type mentality and gamesmanship to gain small advantages. It’s been a surprising experience in that respect.

• That the Spanish are lazy and it takes them a long time to get things done. This is partly true but not the in the football industry.