Coaches go round in circles – In football, the longest hour
In football, the longest hour
Uli Forte brushes his teeth, Raoul Savoy calls his wife, Peter Zeidler lets his gaze shine in the stands. So many rituals that help coaches get through the last hour before a match.
Uli Forte, coach of Yverdon Sport, seeks to take care as much as possible not to slip into emotional suffering.
Valentin Flauraud
Where are they? The ten incumbent outfielders started to sweat following the instructions of the physical trainer or assistant coach. The substitutes juggle in groups, without instructions, often in a good mood. The goalkeepers look for their marks, make sure of the adhesion of their gloves. Even the presidents – some – like to be seen in the stands or along the pitch. But they remain desperately in the shadows. Unique moment of an often very exposed role.
Their function is to coach. We will soon hear them screaming their instructions from the sidelines, pacing in their technical area, explaining the offside rule to the fourth referee, banging with rage against the wall of the bench or jubilant. But above all that, an hour before entering the arena for the match, they do not exist in the eyes of the general public.
