This entry is somewhat different to my usual writings. This post represents an amalgamation of research, the highlights and key points from various sources pieced together to from an over arching picture. The work is not mine and I do not claim that it is. Hopefully the elements of this research, though not all the absolute current information, can provide an insight into the workings of some major football academies.
NOTE – Some images need to be clicked on to be readable.
Elite Player Performance Programme.
The EPPP alongside Double Pass is responsible for assigning categories to English football academies as means of regulation.
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
European Club Association Report Into Academy Football
Ajax
One of the most famed academies in world football, their methods and those of Dutch football in general have long been mimicked around the globe.
Barcelona
La Masia’s reputation has possible surpassed that of Ajax, with many shared ideas due to the influence of Johan Cruyff.
Real Madrid
Benfica
Porto
Sporting Lisbon
Inter Milan
Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich
Schalke
Below are from an interview with a Schalke youth academy coach.
Anderlecht
Genk
Standard Liege
Dinamo Zagreb
Monaco
Chelsea
Manchester United
Manchester City
Everton
The below is from an interview with David Unsworth.
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool
Words of Warning
I hope you enjoyed this article. If you did you may want to check out my book on 3v3 Coaching.