When a host nation is chosen for a major international sporting event one of the most used words is legacy. I first became aware of it when the reason for choosing the USA as world cup hosts in 1994 was explained to me. They want to leave a legacy behind. Now whoever the hosts candidates are, they must be able to show that there will be a lasting legacy. Japan and South Korea, the London Olympics, Qatar and the rest, all had legacy plans.
These plans were and are the legacy of an entire event. Of course, we all have our own personal legacy. In law, that merely comes down to the fiscal value of what we own. Most people will hope to be remembered for more than that.
For the politicians their legacies can be muddled. For all the good policies they implement, there will be those that fail. Those that work may not be universally popular. Worse still, the eyes of the world may deem their actions immoral. Tony Blair helped broker peace in Northern Ireland and led the nation to a period of financial prosperity but will be remembered for going to war with Iraq based on flawed information. Whatever the achievements of Richard Nixon, Watergate will always overshadow them.
For artists their legacy is more tangible. A body of work that can last centuries, continuing to inspire their admirers. The Mona Lisa, arguably the most famous painting in the world is over 500 years old. Michelangelo’s David is the same age. The arts of course cover various fields. Shakespeare’s plays are over 400 years old. Bach’s compositions 300 years old. George Melies’ films are now over 100 years old and they inspired Brian Selznick to write The Invention of Hugo Cabret, then turned into a film by one of cinema’s modern artists, Martin Scorcese.
What of sport? The legacies of inventors is clear, although whether they are the true inventors is often in dispute. The older the game, the less clear the origins. For sportsmen their legacy can be measured in medals or statistics. Or perhaps more importantly and evocatively, memories.
The greatness of some can be distilled into moments. Television and then the internet have allowed people access to those moments. The mixture of colour television and inspiration meant that Pele’s legacy was cemented by the 1970 world cup. His dummy to go round the goalkeeper. Attempting to chip the goalkeeper from distance. His towering header bringing that save from Gordon Banks. The iconic tackle on him by Bobby Moore. A swerving freekick. Lifting the trophy as Brazil captain.
Many have followed in leaving us with their iconic moment. Cruyff’s eponymous turn. Panenka’s penalty. Maradona’s solo run. Van Basten’s volley and many more.
To boil a player’s entire career down to mere seconds is an overly simple. Taking Johan Cruyff as an example, although he left us with that moment of magic there are many others. I cannot count the number of times I have taught a child the Cruyff turn but is not what I think of when I think Cruyff. I think Total Football. I think the Barcelona Dream Team, La Masia, Pep Guardiola and tiki taka. Principles, innovation, imagination, beauty and art. A true legacy.
Arguably, Cruyff’s legacy is a continuation of other people’s legacies. Of Vic Buckingham implementing a passing style as Ajax manager in the 1950s which was taken up and improved upon by Rinus Michels. Cruyff worked closely with both, particularly Michels. The chain continues through Cruyff to Guardiola.
Another of the influences on Cruyff was Wiel Coerver. Coerver created his method of skill development, placing the individual above the team in the early stages of development. The Wiel Coerver method should not be confused with Coerver Coaching. Coerver Coaching was founded in 1984 after Alf Gaulestian and Charlie Cooke saw Wiel Coerver in action and named their company after him. The legacy of Coerver has spread globally, touched millions of players and influenced coaching methods.
The legacies above are two examples of radical and innovative ideas changing the way that people think about football through ideas that they were able to implement. There are others who have a legacy of innovation. Who have been a force for change, often for the better.
As coaches, whatever the level, we all hope to be able to innovate and leave our mark. Realistically, creating a whole new training method or style of play will be beyond the majority of coaches, as hard as they may try. Does this make their efforts unimportant? Or is there another legacy?
Last week a coach I was privileged to work with passed away. Trevor Hutton founded AFC Wembley and was heavily involved in local youth initiatives. A teacher, a coach, a mentor, a man who meant so much to so many. The tributes immediately poured forth. All heartfelt for a man who influenced the local community. Who gave people the chance to improve themselves. One tribute stated that he used football as a force for social change. A man who tried his hardest, not for the sake of himself, but for the sake of others. Trevor’s legacy is secure. A man beloved by the local community because he gave them everything he had. Because he cared with a deep passion.
As a coach you might think that your legacy revolves around how many trophies you win. How many players you help through to the professional footballing ranks. When you consider you legacy, ask yourself these questions –
How many lives do you touch?
Is your influence a positive one?
Do you believe in what you are doing?
Who do you do it for?
What do you do to improve your skills?
What seeds are you planting for the next generation?
Who are you now and how do you connect to the whole?
What lasting value do you want to create?
Find your own meaning and live it. What will be your legacy? What will be mine?
Michelangelo – http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/Michelangelo-David.html
Da Vinci – http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/mona-lisa-%E2%80%93-portrait-lisa-gherardini-wife-francesco-del-giocondo
Melies – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JDaOOw0MEE
Pele – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k85liXbZiao
Cruyff – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD91OHNLM_0
Panenka – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp2HZNheCZ8
Maradona – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk-kXwjASEE
Van Basten – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMIFWM2yJW8
Vic Buckingham – http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituariesvic-buckingham-1570444.html
Coerver – http://www.coerver.co.uk/
Trevor Hutton – http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/football-loses-grassroots-hero-trevor-hutton