Manchester City’s elite development squad coach Patrick Vieira believes England’s youth coaching systems are lagging behind the times.
The former France and Arsenal midfielder feels that is the true reason the national team is not punching its weight – not because of the high number of foreigners playing in the domestic game.
New Football Association chairman Greg Dyke recently reignited the debate over whether the progress of talented English youngsters was being blocked by the proliferation of overseas players at leading clubs.
Vieira, who won the World Cup and European Championship with Les Bleus, feels that is too simplistic an argument and believes coaching structures need to change.
He said: “I believe the game has changed and if the game has changed that means we need to change our methods.
“I believe that the methods in English football haven’t changed as much as the game has changed.
“I heard some comments about there being too many foreigners in the country, that that is why there is no chance for the English players to have a chance to play in the first team.
“But for me that is the comment everybody wants to hear.
“The truth is (we need to ask) how can we help the young players to develop? How do we give them the best tools for them to improve?
“The problem is deeper than just saying there are too many foreigners. I think this is a deeper problem.”
Vieira, 37, now finds himself in a position to do something about this, albeit at an advanced level, with City.
The Frenchman took up the offer of an administrative role at the club after retiring from playing two years ago but this summer decided to move into coaching.
The departure of manager Roberto Mancini and his backroom staff in May created an opening and Vieira was asked to take charge of City’s EDS, which is effectively their under-21 team.
As well as playing in the Premier League’s U-21 league, they are also competing in the new UEFA Youth League this season, which is basically an U-19s Champions League.
Vieira sees his role primarily to prepare players for senior level, and infuse them with the philosophy of Manuel Pellegrini’s first team, rather to win the competitions in which they play.
He said: “At this age and this level you win and lose, but both ways there is so much to take from it.
“What is important for the boys is for them to believe in themselves and express themselves.
“If you make a mistake, that is a way of developing. When you lose a game it is because you did something wrong, but (it is about) how can you learn from that so you don’t repeat it.
“We have to believe in the philosophy we want to put in place. We have to give them time to develop and learn and make mistakes. It is more important than to develop them just to win games.
“They are good players and it is about giving them the confidence to express themselves.
“I want them to be brave, to play. The time for them to make a mistake is now, not when they are in the first team.”
Vieira is encouraged by his first few months in the job.
He said: “From the way the team was when I started to how they are now, I am really pleased how they have improved as players and individuals.
“Our target is for the next few years, to have players for our first team. It is important for us to create space for them.”
One of the leading lights of Vieira’s youthful side, 17-year-old Diego Lopes, made his first senior start in City’s League Cup third-round win over Wigan on Tuesday.
The Portuguese forward, who also scored off the bench in an FA Cup appearance last season, hit the woodwork in an impressive display.
Lopes is now likely to return to working with the EDS and feels he will learn much from Vieira.
Lopes said: “Patrick is a very good coach and a very good person. We know what he was as a football player and to have a coach like him is very good for young players.
“I realise it is hard to get a chance in a big club but I feel I will have my chances and I just have to take them.”