11 Questions with Zeb Jacobs

The pursuit of wisdom in any walk of life quickly reveals that what you think you know is not nearly enough to get you to where you want to go. As I'm starting out in my football scouting journey I challenged myself to reach out to those already working in various roles in football to answer a short list of questions. My goal wasn't to get answers but relevant perspectives on the game within the game.

Here is Zeb Jacobs (Instagram), talent coordinator at Royal Antwerp

How did your first opportunity in football come about?

After I have played all youth series at the highest level, including national youth teams, I quit because of injury. I immediately started looking for a new goal to throw myself on. I went through all the training courses and started to study child development at the high school. After finishing all this, I got the chance to work at the highest level again, this time as a coach, at KV Mechelen.

What attracted you to coaching? What’s more intriguing now winning or developing players?

Dealing with children, adolescents and adults is fantastic. Helping people to develop themselves in what they prefer to do. Coaching is nothing more than creating an environment in which players work to make themselves better and fulfill their genetic potential.

In my vision on talent development, it is not a performance culture OR a development culture. But is one the result of others. There is nothing wrong with winning, not even at the youngest ages. Only the focus of the coaching should be on 'how are we going to do this together'.

Who is the first coach/teacher that resonated with you? What stood out?

My current head of development who I have had as a trainer is the best I’ve worked with. What is especially striking is that he sets the bar very high for himself and others, but leaves room for mistakes and self-expression. Making mistakes was a must, but not giving everything 24/7 was not an option.

What is the biggest misconception in football? Why?

That talent develops linearly is the biggest misconception. Today's best are not tomorrow's best. Estimating potential remains tremendously difficult, but many people stare blindly at the current level of performance that is a very poor predictor of the future. However, we should be able to identify, recognise and measure potential factors in the future.

If you could start over what skill would you build on first?

Understand how children learn! If you understand this, you're halfway there. You can make so much more impact on a player's development if you also effectively understand how he learns motor skills and insightful.

Do you see player development as more of an art or a science? Which would you start with?

"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts" The combination of science and knowledge gained through experience that allows you to increase the learning efficiency of players. Only science would not benefit the development, because then we go to cold relationships, and those relationships are just the basis. But only feeling is just as dangerous. Because then the same training principles and methods remain in the same place for too long.

What is your favorite sports moment? Why?

Cristiano Ronaldo who wins the golden ball. Ronaldo is for me an exemplary example of hard work x aptitude = talent.

What coach/player/team inspires you? Why?

Liverpool inspires me enormously! The process they went through and put down to stand where they are today is impressive. Klopp is all passion and dedication that leaves nothing to chance. In addition, you have Pepijn Lijnders who started out as a talent coach at PSV now takes the lead in the training field of the first team in Liverpool. The intensity, emotion and quality is a breathtaking formula.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into coaching/scouting/analytics?

Find and develop your own identity and vision. Let yourself be inspired and surrounded by people on the same mission as you! Regularly look in the mirror but even more out the window. How do others do it? How can I do even better? And where do I want to be later on? Be patient and stay locked in!

What is your favorite app/tool to use (for fun not work!)?

Twitter! The community of trainers is very inspiring. Everbody is sharing thoughts and ideas.

What other sport/hobby/discipline do you feel improves your work?Why?

Reading is key in your development as a coach. Getting knowledge and put into practice is so important.