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Coach Interview Steve Bezuidenhout
A little intro about yourself past, present and future (where you see yourself coaching or where you want to be and how you got there).
Steve Bez (Bezuidenhout) everyone needs a stage name:) Born in Benoni, left at age 9 played pro for a few seasons in KZN, was a GK with lofty ambitions of being a striker(Don't they all). Stopped playing at 24 to pursue coaching despite other options to play, felt a call on my life from God to do so. Had my Pro Coaching License by 30. Ran an independent youth academy for 7 years called Westville United Football Academy. Was a great learning curve and well worth while until we ran out of funding. Helped establish the Sharks Academy Soccer division before taking up my current role as head of youth at AmaZulu FC.
The goal is to coach in the Champions League or at a World Cup one day. I feel like i have had a good grounding in youth and my next step is to move into a consistent senior level, to challenge myself with something new. Ideally this would be in a foreign country where I can be exposed to a new different environment to round off my coaching skills better.
License by 30. Ran an independent youth academy for 7 years called Westville United Football Academy. Was a great learning curve and well worth while until we ran out of funding. Helped establish the Sharks Academy Soccer division before taking up my current role as head of youth at AmaZulu FC.
The goal is to coach in the Champions League or at a World Cup one day. I feel like i have had a good grounding in youth and my next step is to move into a consistent senior level, to challenge myself with something new. Ideally this would be in a foreign country where I can be exposed to a new different environment to round off my coaching skills better.
What is the best life lesson you have learnt during your time as a coach?
Trust your instinct. I have made decisions based on sentiment even though I knew these were not right and they have always backfired. After only 7 years of coaching experience, I know that there is no room for sentiment. Trust your instinct with selection, with tactics, with how you treat players - don't be distracted by sentiment.
The goal is to coach in the Champions League or at a World Cup one day. I feel like i have had a good grounding in youth and my next step is to move into a consistent senior level, to challenge myself with something new. Ideally this would be in a foreign country where I can be exposed to a new different environment to round off my coaching skills better.
How do you manage the different abilities of players within your squads?
Man management is a skill, and this is where communication is vital. Personalities are different and therefore you can't treat everyone the same. We work on individual technique when we have time, but we also focus on a players strengths. We had a midfielder who had poor technique but he dominated midfield with his energy and tackling, and he had a long throw in which was a great set piece, so we ensured we had someone in midfield with him who could pass the ball and we kept working on his passing and control but without getting on his case about it. I think you have to make the most of the strengths of players within the context of what is best for the team.
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