KPL clubs need to embrace Technical Reports to succeed

Thika United and Tusker FC fight it out during KPL match at Thika Stadium on Sunday, March 19, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The news that struggling Thika United have made changes to their technical bench is not surprising at all. Out of the season’s opening 10 matches, Thika United have amassed a paltry seven out of a possible 30 points.

It therefore fits logic that the coach, James Nandwa, had to make way for another person to help stem the rot. It makes sense, but only until you discover that his replacement is an apprentice, Nicholas Muyoti.

The new man in charge has been handed another novice as assistant, former goalkeeper Joseph Ruto. And, the man who could ‘not deliver’ has been ‘elevated’ to the position of Technical Director.

Now, as a fan seated on top row of the terraces, I have to scratch my head asking myself how this fits into the ambitions of Thika United.

It is a question I am asking for the umpteenth time: do our clubs understand the role of a Technical Director? The assumption here is everyone understands the role of a coach. That is a discussion for another day.

But let us get one thing clear. I want to discuss a crucial document, the Technical Report which comes from the office of a Technical Director which would save the skin of the occupant of that office and the ambitions of a club.

From my understanding and as espoused by New South Wales (Australia) Technical Study Group, a Technical Director is “vital in developing a training plan for the season and implement strategy that will allow the club to progress.”

The happenings at Thika United, point at a club at a crossroads. And they are not alone. All Kenyan Premier League clubs are groping in the dark.

They keep changing coaches for as long as they want. Results will be the same unless they embrace best practices that would enable them get to the root of their problems. And one of the tools they need for examination is a Technical Report.

This document addresses long term key principles of building blocks for success. The reports are prepared by the Technical Director, who must have in a place a Technical Study Group.

They do come up at the end of a season with a Technical Report that would communicate the assessments and outcomes and lessons learnt over the course of the league.

A technical report provides crucial benefits for coaches such as James Nandwa so that they are not ‘elevated’ to lofty positions for failing to lift Thika United to success. A technical report provides a professional development opportunity for all the coaches working in football.

It is a very good tool that would support and assist each club in their “pursuit of excellence, striving to improve both the services to, and environment for their players,” as New South Wales Technical Study Groupsays.

It would also provide a consistent, coordinated development programme for coaches to apply when planning for, and delivering training sessions to their teams.

Problems at Thika United and indeed other clubs do not start and end with coaches. A properly documented Technical Report would reveal a lot more such as mental and physical conditions of the players besides the tactical aspects of the game.

These Technical reports would in fact help clubs ask for support in certain areas of their endeavours to deliver best practise football programmes, clamour for facilities for players and coaches. But as it is, we are engaging in cha wanaa (child’s play), if you understand what I mean.