Many of us here still maintain the idea that the Dutch football 'youth system' is one of the best in the world. Actually..despite a downbeat story, it's hard to say it isn't still one of the best. But according to this article..it's nothing like it's cracked up to be. No doubt some great talent comes through, but the success rate of youths trying to make it through is depressing. more depressing is a seeming lack of any coordination, cooperation or real 'system' across the academies. Just one article, so no need to read too much into it. But interesting nevertheless.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=595933&sec=europe&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901At the end of the 1950s a lean, awkward young schoolboy would regularly lurk in the parking lot behind the training ground of Velox, Utrecht's now extinct third professional club playing in the second division.
When coach Daan van Beek was training his keeper, the guy would return stray balls from between the cars. Van Beek started to notice the curved passes were not an accident and asked the youngster at which club he was registered. Nowhere, was the answer. Van Beek contacted his administrator that night and the next day Willem van Hanegem, as it is he, became a member of Velox.
Meanwhile, at Ajax, the small Johan Cruyff would roam around the offices and pitches as his mother was a cleaning lady at the club. There was no question where he would kick his first official ball........
