The Indian Super League (ISL) state winners FC Goa and and LB Leipzig have stepped into the strategic partnership for ‘youth development’ that will run until 2023. FC Goa co-owner Akshay Tandon and Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff made the joint announcement via a zoom press conference on Thursday.
What is the deal about, and is it first of it’s kind?
We want to live this cooperation, not merely send them our logo,” Mintzlaff said. According to Goa, this is a first-of-its kind, equal investment partnership for the Indian market. This partnership is not licensing deal, different from other partnership.
The three-year partnership is to initiate and run football training camps for youngsters, starting with the state of Goa and then enlarge across the country. Both the clubs have decided to proceed with the courses as soon as possible, starting with a series of specially designed online class.
Once traveling becomes safe, RB Academy coaches will be flying into India whilst Goa will be sending coaches and youth-team players for advanced training at the RB facilities in Leipzig. This was the first step towards increasing co-operation between both the clubs, Mantzllaf also made it clear that from a Red Bull group point of view, they would not be bringing Goa into the umbrella of RB clubs around the world.
Who are RB Leipzig?
RB Leipzig was established in 2009, the club worked its way up the German league structure, and were promoted to the Bundesliga by 2016. After a year the club qualified themselves for the UEFA Champions League and on their first go they reached the semi-finals of the world’s biggest club competition.
It is managed by the Julian Nagelsmann, they are currently second in the Bundesliga and second in their Champions League group.
What’s it in for Leipzig?
The primary reason is to expand the club globally. This is belived to be Leipzig’s first foot into the Asian market. Mintzlaff believes that after having a successful domestic career in the first 11 years, it is time for Leipzig to move global. He also stated that Leipzig plans to travel with their senior team to India, but the dates are undecided due to the pandemic.
Mintzlaff stated this programme will give the club a better understanding of the football market in India. “In phase II, we will integrate our youth/scouting in department to identify talents. But those are things you can’t plan for,” he said. Finding someone who can play for them sometime in the future would make the deal perfect.
What’s in it for Goa?
Tandon had earlier expressed the need for investment in Indian football. While the RB group’s involvement with Goa will not be going to be the direct investment lines.
At the core of it, the deal seems to be a
simple one for Goa. Avail of the technical expertise and knowledge base that has seen Leipzig race through the German divisions to identify, recruit, and develop young talent.
This focuses on youth appears to be a fundamental platform of all that Goa are doing. In fact, the reports suggested that they parted ways with their very successful and talented coach Sergio Lobera last season because of their differences in approach to the youth programme, and its utilization by the senior team. They, therefore, view this deal as the logical next step in expanding their youth programme.
Leipzig are modern club Goa aspire to be in the Indian market. They are aggressive and challenging on and off the field. On the pitch, they play the kind of modern, possession-based, attacking football that Goa feels on making their identity.
Leipzig’s Academy and their coaching talent have received praise from all quarters and it’s that key resource that Goa want them into. For Goa, it’s not just to make footballing sense but, also a smart business decision too. With equal investment coming in, it helps Goa expand their scouting and development network without overextending their own finances.
What now?
As of now, the online courses will start the program. For theory, it’s going to be a good deal, one that goes beyond the in-name-only business partnerships that plagued ISL’s formative years. This is mainly to the direct involvement of the RB Leipzig coach staff, the integration of Leipzig’s technical expertise into the already well planned FC Goa youth programme, and access of the Leipzig facilities for both staff and players from the Indian club. There’s focus, and it appears well directed.
It’s going to be effective at its best, though, and how it will stand out – on the ground from same programmes the Indian market has seen.
