9 Questions with Cristian Colas

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 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 Cristian Colas:

What is your first memory of football?

My first first memory is to watch football from home. My grandad, dad and brother are Real Zaragoza supporters (now Spanish 2nd division) and my mom is Sevilla FC supporter. When I started to have more interest was FC Barcelona under Cruyff management, with Leagues in the last minute, and the European Championship in Wembley against Sampdoria. So this is the first I could remember. I think there started my passion, seeing what this game can produce to people, to fans.

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

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I tried to play but my knees were not ready, so at the beginning I hated the game because I could not try to play from inside. And I started to play futsal. With 16y I started to discover again my love for the game and I was thinking there were only 2 options for me to get involved: as a coach or as a referee. And it was easy to chose the first one, because 

I've always been involved in people management and because I want to compete, and this is also that as a referee it's more difficult.

More intriguing... So, let's say I don't think to develop players is not matched with winning matches and viceversa. I mean, you need to develop players to have the chance to win games. As better you develop them, higher will be the chances to win. But also, you need the winning mentality in a collective game to develop players. So it's something cannot be isolated. As a example, I always said, I always studied to know but also to give me a chance to pass the exam.

What is the biggest misconception/cliche regarding coaching you’ve found in this space?

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The biggest is to think that the coach is the main actor, the essential one. And that one person can control and manage everything. And it's impossible. 

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

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People management, not players management, people! It's essential. Behind every player, every member of the staff,... you have a person. If you don't know how to manage people, you can know a lot about the game that will be impossible to transfer it into the pitch.

What is more important: breadth of skills or depth of talent?

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Wow! Interesting one... You can be talented that without enough skills to perform the talent, you cannot arrive nowhere. In this case I can realise that there are plenty of skilful players with less talent, but performing higher. Skills could be learned through the way... Talent for me it's in each one nature and that could be explored and implemented during all players journey. I like a talented player that know enough skills to perform his/her talent at his/her best.

What is more impactful for a player: psychology or environment? Why?

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IMO they're linked. The environment will have an impact on your perception, on your cognitive area, on your psychologic area. But also your mindset as a person/player will determine how you act/react/adapt in any environment. 

What three (3) coaches would you want to have a meal with? Why?

​Impossible! =) I would organise a huge dinner for everyone! You can take things from absolutely everyone. From the past, the present and for aspiring ones for the future! 

And I would be delighted to listen everyone... And from different sports too!

But if you want three names I would say the key ones in my coaching career:

Johan Cruyff - because was the first that with the way he led FC Barcelona, started to provoke this passion in me.

Louis Van Gaal - because when I started coaching I was listening his press conferences and everything and it was like the key point to realise I really wanted to go into the game as a coach, as a student of the game. 

And lastly, Pep Guardiola. Because also, what he achieved, the way he did it... Was an evolution in the game.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into this space?

Patience. Nothing is built in a month, nor in a season. Nor your identity as a coach, nor your game model,... nothing. Read, listen, watch football, stay on the grass as more as possible,... Try, try and try. And meanwhile, enjoy the journey.

What is your favorite quote or saying?

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I've got some of them that I like but I would say `The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.' by Vince Lombardi.