A MOSSLEY man is helping FIFA – football’s world governing body – carry out a comprehensive review of its 211 member countries.
Callum Irving, a freelance football consultant, is working on FIFA’s first-ever ‘talent development programme’ which is being headed by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Launched in January 2020 by Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, the programme aims to provide member associations with a thorough analysis of their high performance eco-system in both men’s and women’s football, including all national teams, domestic leagues, scouting projects and academies, in order to ensure that every talented player gets a chance to reach their potential.
Callum, 39, and Holger Osieck, Franz Beckenbauer’s assistant at the 1990 World Cup, have been teamed together.
They have been allocated 15 countries ranging in size from Japan to the tiny Cayman Islands.
Their brief is to interview CEOs, coaches and other influential football figures in the countries to amass information on a wide range of areas including talent pathways, talent identification, structure of academies, scouting networks, professional clubs and international football in that particular country.
Callum said: “It basically entails lots of data collection and it is a huge piece of work which will take about two years to complete.
“We were meant to travel to the countries which would have been wonderful.
“However, Covid has meant that it impossible and we are having to work remotely which is difficult when you are dealing with different time zones.”
Callum travelled to Zurich, Switzerland, in early March 2020, shortly before the first lockdown, for an initial briefing.
And he has a contract until the end of this season to complete the project.
He said: “We are almost one year into the project. I concentrate more on the structure while Holger, as he was a player, coach and manager, looks more at the coaching side.
“It has been great to be involved with such a huge piece of work and I have learned so much from grilling world-class coaches and leading figures in football.”
Callum added it has been fascinating to be allocated countries of different sizes.
“Obviously what Japan needs is far removed to the Cayman Islands and I have learned so much, especially from Japan in terms of their level of playing and planning for the future,” he said.
Callum used to be a senior regional manager for the Football Association before going freelance. He has also worked for the Asian Football Confederation.
He currently has contracts with FIFA and UEFA and works for the Irish FA.
Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/37lhzrfa