Return on investment
When Ajax gave Louis van Gaal the assignment to investigate the results of 15 years of youth education, it became evident that Ajax has one of the most successful youth education systems in the world, both financially and technically. The secret to this success is their unique philosophy for running a football academy.
The most important reason every professional football club is developing its own football Academy is to make the club sustainable in the long run by focusing on talent development. This greatly increases the chance that a club will become financially healthy and achieve competitive success. The youth Academies of Sporting Club de Portugal, Santos FC, FC Barcelona and AFC Ajax are prime examples.
One of FAD's main competencies is the development of top talents. We believe that, besides the innate talent of footballers and goalkeepers, there is plenty of personal attention and advice needed to grow to the level every young football player is dreaming of. Policy and understanding are essential to develop young players to the level where they can be transferred at a high fee. This, in turn, is necessary for ensuring the long-term survival of the youth academy and club. Therefore, the technical team's task to groom youth talents into the next generation of top players is of great importance. FAD supports and accompanies coaches and managers with appropriate advice, naming bottlenecks, giving practical solutions and making the progress measurable. Success has many fathers, but no youth, no future.”
That Edmond knows what he's talking about is shown by the successes he has achieved in his long career. He was closely involved in the development of one of the best football academies in the world: the Ajax Football Academy. The successes of this academy are recognized worldwide as a Dutch display of craftsmanship in talent development. This shows whenever the Dutch national football team distinguish itself on the world stage of football.
FAD makes the development of a successful youth academy in the tradition of the Ajax football academy accessible to every football organization. A tradition that enables any organization to safeguard the perpetuation of the club and the financial basis for the future.
Edmond Claus: "Of course, the “Bosman ruling” still plays an important role, but even more the changing rules on ' financial fair play ' and ' home-grown players ' is educating and developing your own talent for each club of the utmost strategic importance. Clubs such as FC Bayern Munich, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Olympique Lyonnais, Manchester City etc. have invested heavily in their youth academies."
"You see that clubs recognize the need for a good youth academy, but because of the lack of applied knowledge and the prospect of a major financial boost, a lot of opportunities remain unexploited.
This challenged me to use the knowledge that I gained while coaching, training and scouting top footballers by assisting football academies all around the world. The FAD method arose. This method offers clubs and associations ways to improve their football academies demonstrably in an affordable way.
The success behind the FAD approach is based on Edmond's successful international career. His clear vision is captured in clear concepts for each of the following football areas: techniques & tactics, soccer & goalkeeping, coaching & training, policy & organization, development & innovation.
"Where other consultancy- or organization & advice companies only will inventory the damage, we help to repair it, and prevent damage in the future but above all, we will develop the device in a way that it achieves a higher return in the long-term."
Edmond: "We train and guide the current staff of the club during the process of change. Eventually, the current staff can work within the new vision. This is the long-term effect of the changes and the guarantee of the return on investment."
FAD provides expert advice and coaching to the entire technical organization.
The final result: A club with positive financial and competitive returns through a flourishing youth academy, now and in the future. Please feel free to contact us. We are ready to serve you!
“The Youth is the Future”