Author Topic: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout  (Read 15221 times)

Offline Oscar3

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EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« on: July 23, 2008, 02:10:49 pm »
There is a great interview with Eduardo in this weeks LFC magazine.He goes into great detail of all Rafas Policies and how very similar it is to his Valencia set.I read another thread asking if we should try somebody else if we dont win the title this season.We can all get frustrated with managers but that would be a big ask this season.I feel most of us would agree a fight to the death would be much more realistic.
On reading this article i think it would make people realise what a great job rafa is doing and how hard a job he has to compete with the clubs with the cash.Macia talks of Rafas transfer policy and how he competed the same way at Valencia to overhaul the 3 or 4 clubs with more money than Valencia.It is a system he has enourmous faith in because it has worked for him before.
Macia talks about the scouting structure throughout the world.The aim of course to find young promising players at a good price before the other top sides get them first.He says how important it is to keep quiet on targets and how even each scout has got to hide their identity in the country they live and work in.In the last 18 months the reserve squad has been strengthed by some quality signings and added to by the best of the youth side(Spearing,Darby,Puterill and Flynn).
Essentially there are three parts.....The first part was to bring in players around the 16,17,18 years mark which in Spain would form a B team to provide first team players for the future.The second part is to buy players slightly older like Lucas and Babel.The next level is to buy quality like Mascherano,Torres,Agger and Skrtel.The plan is that eventually we would only need to bring in one or two players a year to improve the team.
A nice touch from Eduardo was when talking about his own job.He says all scouts have to live in the country they are scouting.It wasnt an easy choice for him to leave Valencia because he was happy,however his family are that well settled that when his wife goes home to Spain she says it is too hot!He is also trying to teach his kids Spanish.They are already talking Scouse with such words as "Ta" instead of thankyou!
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Offline rebel23

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2008, 02:28:22 pm »
find us a winger, Macia


Offline Pankaka

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2008, 02:43:29 pm »
Marcia found us Agger and Skrtel and Arbeloa, no?
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Offline forrest1980

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2008, 02:55:16 pm »
Should be a nice read ! Rafa, Rafa, Rafa  ;D !
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Offline Macedonian_Red

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2008, 03:12:54 pm »
find us a winger, Macia

Actually, he is a close friend of David Silva ...

Offline RedBoywonder

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2008, 03:14:18 pm »
Actually, he is a close friend of David Silva ...


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Offline Gnurglan

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2008, 03:31:27 pm »
The plan is that eventually we would only need to bring in one or two players a year to improve the team.

Good plan. Which is why I find it hard to imagine that we'd decide to change 5-6 players.

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Offline nocturnalvin

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2008, 03:54:50 pm »
any chance someone can post the article ?

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2008, 05:01:50 pm »
Sadly the Rafalution had to slow into an evolution. But because of bringing in the likes of Macia, and the plans they are working to, I truly believe Rafa will get us back to the very top of European football. Now if we can just get shut of that pair of Yankee shyster bastards, we'll get there a lot faster.
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Offline Oscar3

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2008, 08:04:08 pm »
Sadly the Rafalution had to slow into an evolution. But because of bringing in the likes of Macia, and the plans they are working to, I truly believe Rafa will get us back to the very top of European football. Now if we can just get shut of that pair of Yankee shyster bastards, we'll get there a lot faster.
Too Right!!One thing that has had me thinking this summer is how easy Rafa has accepted the lack of cash unlike last year where he seemed to kick off big time!He doesnt seem to be so against the yanks now unless he is towing the line which i cant see myself!The scouting system really interests me though and theres no doubt rafa is capable of building a side on the cheap.
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Offline KurtVerbose

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2008, 08:20:22 pm »
I truly believe Rafa will get us back to the very top of European football.

I actually think he's already done that - aren't we now rated number one in Europe?

Can he get us to the top of the prem is the question, and let's face it, if he does with the spending power we have it will be a phenomonal achievement.
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Offline gollne

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2008, 08:25:59 pm »
I think Chelsea is. We are 3 or just outside. I think.
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Offline Indian

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2008, 08:48:26 pm »
Oscar you have my curiosity going....
Would it be possible to post the article here please ???
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Offline nocturnalvin

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2008, 05:48:55 am »
Oscar you have my curiosity going....
Would it be possible to post the article here please ???

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2008, 06:44:15 am »
just read the article - excellent stuff and thanks for posting it

Offline Manila Kop

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #15 on: July 24, 2008, 07:19:46 am »
just read the article - excellent stuff and thanks for posting it

Royhendo, any chance you could scan and post it here?  Ta mate.
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Lolzies. More chance of a wank off the pope than beating United, I'm afraid. It is beyond Benitez, apart from when they were at their lowest ebb, when we knocked them out of the FA Cup. They certainly aren't anywhere near there now.

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #16 on: July 24, 2008, 07:26:33 am »
£2.10 from all good newsagents ;D

Offline Manila Kop

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #17 on: July 24, 2008, 07:28:17 am »
£2.10 from all good newsagents ;D

Don't get LFC Magazine here.  :(  For some messed up reason though, the local bookstore has Celtic's magazines.  WTF.
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Lolzies. More chance of a wank off the pope than beating United, I'm afraid. It is beyond Benitez, apart from when they were at their lowest ebb, when we knocked them out of the FA Cup. They certainly aren't anywhere near there now.

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2008, 07:31:38 am »
doh!

I'd transcribe it but it'd take ages and the OP's summary covers it all perfectly mate

Offline Manila Kop

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #19 on: July 24, 2008, 07:37:37 am »
doh!

I'd transcribe it but it'd take ages and the OP's summary covers it all perfectly mate

Hehe no problem.  Ta mate.  I'm just starved for LFC-related material in this footballing wasteland of a country.  :P
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Lolzies. More chance of a wank off the pope than beating United, I'm afraid. It is beyond Benitez, apart from when they were at their lowest ebb, when we knocked them out of the FA Cup. They certainly aren't anywhere near there now.

Offline forrest1980

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #20 on: July 24, 2008, 09:29:36 am »
I think Chelsea is. We are 3 or just outside. I think.

CORRECT !  ;D

Chelsea 1st, AC Milan 2nd and Liverpool 3rd - last 5 year co-efficient rating ! So when we get to Rome 2009 and win the Champions League then we're back as no. 1 where we belong !

Rank Club Country 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Coefficient
1 Chelsea  England 22.7125 25.1385 17.7610 28.4860 30.8985 124.996
2 Milan  Italy 16.9285 31.6200 26.0675 27.9360 17.3825 119.934
3 Liverpool  England 14.7125 30.1385 17.7610 29.4860 26.8985 118.996


That said, depending on how AC Milan do in the UEFA Cup and how Chelsea do in the C/L then we can still be no. 1 by the end of the season ! Nice one !
« Last Edit: July 24, 2008, 09:47:08 am by forrest1980 »
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Offline gjr1

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #21 on: July 24, 2008, 10:11:53 am »
CORRECT !  ;D

Chelsea 1st, AC Milan 2nd and Liverpool 3rd - last 5 year co-efficient rating ! So when we get to Rome 2009 and win the Champions League then we're back as no. 1 where we belong !

Rank Club Country 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Coefficient
1 Chelsea  England 22.7125 25.1385 17.7610 28.4860 30.8985 124.996
2 Milan  Italy 16.9285 31.6200 26.0675 27.9360 17.3825 119.934
3 Liverpool  England 14.7125 30.1385 17.7610 29.4860 26.8985 118.996


That said, depending on how AC Milan do in the UEFA Cup and how Chelsea do in the C/L then we can still be no. 1 by the end of the season ! Nice one !

Don't think the UEFA cup gives as many points as the CL. Having said that you have to expect them to make it at least to the semis and probably win it.
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Offline Zverko

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #22 on: July 24, 2008, 10:24:04 am »
CORRECT !  ;D

Chelsea 1st, AC Milan 2nd and Liverpool 3rd - last 5 year co-efficient rating ! So when we get to Rome 2009 and win the Champions League then we're back as no. 1 where we belong !

Rank Club Country 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Coefficient
1 Chelsea  England 22.7125 25.1385 17.7610 28.4860 30.8985 124.996
2 Milan  Italy 16.9285 31.6200 26.0675 27.9360 17.3825 119.934
3 Liverpool  England 14.7125 30.1385 17.7610 29.4860 26.8985 118.996


That said, depending on how AC Milan do in the UEFA Cup and how Chelsea do in the C/L then we can still be no. 1 by the end of the season ! Nice one !

How can Chelsea be ahead of us is mystery to me.  They had only one final and they lost it, together with 3 semi finals.  We on the other hand have 3 semi finals, two finals and one trophy.  And I remember official site stating us as number one team in Europe in last five years.
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Offline RED-EAZY

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #23 on: July 24, 2008, 10:44:53 am »
Sadly the Rafalution had to slow into an evolution. But because of bringing in the likes of Macia, and the plans they are working to, I truly believe Rafa will get us back to the very top of European football. Now if we can just get shut of that pair of Yankee shyster bastards, we'll get there a lot faster.

Too Right!!One thing that has had me thinking this summer is how easy Rafa has accepted the lack of cash unlike last year where he seemed to kick off big time!He doesnt seem to be so against the yanks now unless he is towing the line which i cant see myself!The scouting system really interests me though and theres no doubt rafa is capable of building a side on the cheap.

i am no fan of the yanks but if you look at the players we have brought in since they have been at the club, babel, skirtel, torres, masch etc (differant level of player becasue we are splashing that little bit more). then the players he might be bringing in this summer keane looking very likly for a reported 20mil (to much in my opinion) but if rafa rates the lad at that who am i to argue. they where backing him with barry and it looks like rafa has said no to that one as he feels MON is taking the piss.
so in the transfer market if we do land keane or barry to me they are backing rafa to an acceptable ammount, i dont want our club to turn into a chelsea could not think of anything worse. every other dealing they have done with our club i am not impressed with. but in the transfer market can we really grumble.
About the scouting we will find out if it works in 5/6 years, but if he had the same set up at valencia it worked for them so why not us. its like a revolving door in that academy kids coming and going all the time its so cut throat especially for lads of there age, but thats the way its got to be its reassuring in a way only the best are going to make it through like nemeth and pacheco
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Offline dmn

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #24 on: July 24, 2008, 12:02:09 pm »
How can Chelsea be ahead of us is mystery to me.  They had only one final and they lost it, together with 3 semi finals.  We on the other hand have 3 semi finals, two finals and one trophy.  And I remember official site stating us as number one team in Europe in last five years.
And we immediately posted here that it was all wrong, and soon the story on .tv was changed.

And it's a mystery to you because you've obviously not read how the ranking is done. What a mystery!

Don't think the UEFA cup gives as many points as the CL. Having said that you have to expect them to make it at least to the semis and probably win it.
That's correct - the UEFA cup gives MORE points.

The rankings don't give a **** about if you win the tournament or not - you're awarded points for each game you win (or draw), and if you reach the UEFA cup final you've played more matches than the CL finalists.

Offline minusone

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #25 on: July 24, 2008, 12:02:39 pm »
As sad as it is to see a load of yougsters not live up their potential it is encouraging that the standards now are so high that only the VERY best get chances.
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Offline forrest1980

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #26 on: July 24, 2008, 12:07:16 pm »
How can Chelsea be ahead of us is mystery to me.  They had only one final and they lost it, together with 3 semi finals.  We on the other hand have 3 semi finals, two finals and one trophy.  And I remember official site stating us as number one team in Europe in last five years.

The Officail Site said that we "could" be the no.1 team in Europe IF we get to the Semi's or Final '08/09 but the bawsacks put spin on the headlines etc to try and make it sound like we ARE the no. 1 co-efficient team in EUROPE by the way the article was written. I remember reading it, the tubes !

We can do it this year i hope, i dream, i want ! He, He
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Offline dmn

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #27 on: July 24, 2008, 12:10:31 pm »
The Officail Site said that we "could" be the no.1 team in Europe IF we get to the Semi's or Final '08/09 but the bawsacks put spin on the headlines etc to try and make it sound like we ARE the no. 1 co-efficient team in EUROPE by the way the article was written. I remember reading it, the tubes !

We can do it this year i hope, i dream, i want ! He, He
As I said above, the article was changed.
At first it announced that we are the no 1.
Which was very embarrassing as it was wrong.
So after some hours it was changed to say that we could be no 1.

Offline Stussy

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #28 on: July 24, 2008, 12:36:34 pm »

That's a fantastic interview.
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Offline Indian

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #29 on: July 24, 2008, 01:27:22 pm »
Does the League position also come into consideration while ?
"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much,much more important than that. "
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Offline dmn

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #30 on: July 24, 2008, 01:35:41 pm »
Does the League position also come into consideration while ?
No. League position and such things has an impact on how much money you're awarded for your CL-run. But the rankings are only based on how many matches you've won/drawn.

(well, the rankings also include some points that are awarded to all teams from the same FA - which in turn is based on the average points awarded to teams from that FA)

Offline RedMichelFerri

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #31 on: July 24, 2008, 01:41:46 pm »
“Seeing these smiling faces is the greatest pleasure. They have been magnificent all season. They have been our 12th man. I have always said our fans are the best in England. Now I know they are the best in Europe too.”

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Offline dmn

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #32 on: July 24, 2008, 01:45:42 pm »
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/features/this_season/FN13191080724-1204.htm

I think this is the full interview.
Yea, usually big interviews from LFC Magazine is on .tv within some day(s)

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #33 on: July 24, 2008, 01:46:36 pm »
In the latest in our series of in-depth chats with members of Rafael Benitez's Melwood staff we spoke to chief scout Eduardo Macia about life at Liverpool.



Whether he's scouring Europe for the next big thing or casting a keen eye over the latest South American superstar, Eduardo Macia knows exactly what he wants when it comes to signing the right player for Liverpool.
 
In an in-depth interview with Liverpoolfc.tv he talks openly about his success with Rafael Benitez at Valencia, how he came to join the Reds and how he is playing his part in trying to secure a golden future for the club.
 
Eduardo, you've been at the club since 2006 as Chief Scout. How did you come to join Liverpool?
 
Well, Rafa was trying to procure me every day. I met him through Valencia and then he asked me to come here. Rafa said I need a chief scout to head up our global scouting network. He wanted to build up the system. That's not to say I wasn't happy where I was. I was very happy in Valencia. It was a good life that I really enjoyed. So coming here was a big decision. If I hadn't been happy in Spain then it would have been an easy choice to come to England. But it wasn't easy, although I do think I made the right choice. Along with the decision to get married this was the biggest choice I've ever had to make in my life. My dad was a fan of Liverpool and he told me all about Dalglish, Hansen and Phil Thompson. In Spain before the Premier League started we'd get one English game on TV every month and it was nearly always Liverpool. So for me the club had a mythical quality about it. Now to be working for this club and with these people makes me feel like I'm very lucky. People tell me that all the time.
 
What about your time at Valencia. You were very successful there...
 
We won the league with a fantastic team. There were a lot of young players involved like Marchena, Baraja, Vicente, Angulo, Albelda... From that Rafa knew I could help him build a strong squad. We won two league titles in Spain and the UEFA Cup in the space of three years. That was despite the fact that Barcelona, Real Madrid, Deportivo and Atletico all had more money than us. But we were working with the idea of combining all the older players such as Carboni, Anglomar, Luque with the up and coming players. With those guys we knew we had a foundation to build a great team.
 
What about your future with Liverpool?
 
Now we are building for the future here. We've brought in a lot of young players in the last few years. Guys who are 16, 17, 18 years old and they all have the mentality we want. That's why they won the reserve league last season. We know they can still improve as players, but they have the right mentality. Guys like Nemeth, San Jose, Bruna, Spearing, Darby, Insua, Gulacsi... Now we are hoping to add more players to that quality. It's a young side, in Spain it would be described as a B team. The idea is to provide first team players for the future so that when they are 20, 21, 22 they are ready for the Premier League. Another type of player we are bringing in is someone like Lucas Leiva who was one of the best young players in Brazil and then there's Ryan Babel. Both of them are in their early 20s and are players for the future. On the next level it's Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger. They are still young, but have lots of experience and can go straight into the first team and should be here for many years. The idea is that in the future we will be bringing through enough players for the first team that the manager might only need to buy one or two players every summer. He won't need to go out and sign four or five. Steven Gerrard, Carra, Sami Hyypia and Finnan are all fantastic veterans. And we've tried to add to that with guys like Kuyt, Alonso, Reina and tried to unite the team. It's not possible to spend £200m to win the Premier League. We can't do that so we have another way. Now Rafa is happy with the young players we have and wants to continue improving the senior squad.

You talk about looking for players with the right mentality. Do you feel the Liverpool squad have the same winning mentality as the Valencia team you were involved with?
 
This group of players we have now is one of the best I've seen during my time here. I think it's better than the squad we had at Valencia when we won the league and UEFA Cup in 2004. That was nearly five years ago now and the level of football has gone up since then. The game has progressed a lot in such a short space of time. That's what we've got to keep doing, improving. If you're not then you're going backwards. Even when you win something you've still got to try and become better by bringing in more quality. For example, Lucas Leiva says give me the ball, even if I make a mistake I'm not afraid to take responsibility in big games. That's the mentality we require; strong players who can think for themselves and don't need to be told what to do. They are clever guys who can make their own decisions on the pitch and help you win games. Mentality of the player is the most important thing. There are probably a million players with quality in the world. That's not enough. I don't want someone who is fantastic in September and November. I want someone who is fantastic all year round. If you want to be a successful team you need players who can still be at their best when it comes to the end of the season and the big games arrive almost every few days. It's not a matter of quality. You can improve a player's fitness, technique and make them tactically better. What you can't do is give them the mentality. You can be a fantastic player at a lower level team but if you want to come here then you've got to be a winner. When you play for a big club, particularly in the Premier League, everyone else will be doing their utmost to beat you every weekend. You've got to be able to deal with that and produce 100 per cent every week.
 
Can you explain to us how your scouting network works?
 
We have scouts located all over the world. They live in the country that they cover. That's the way we like it to be. If you are based in England and just travel over to watch the player you don't get the full picture. It's easy to see if a player is performing well or not. We want to know everything about the player, not just how he performs. For example, Lucas Leiva, our scout watched him and asked lots of different people about him. Then we spent two weeks in Brazil watching him training as well as playing. From that we hope to be certain about a player. Of course you can still make a mistake but this method reduces the chances. Sometimes even when you know everything you can still get it wrong. There are lots of factors to consider, such as language, wife or girlfriend not settling in a new country. You can still get it wrong, but we hope to make the least number of mistakes. And it's not only a system we use when signing first team players, we also use it for bringing in younger lads. If you are 17 or 23 it doesn't matter. If your family is not okay or your mentality isn't right then it won't work. So we spend a lot of time gathering lots of info on possible signings.

What qualities do you look for in your scouts?
 
They've got to be totally professional. The scouts who work for us are not friends of mine. I never work with friends. We use guys who have worked for big clubs like Real Madrid or been a sporting director in Italy and been at the biggest club in Brazil. They are all very experienced, strong people. They don't say maybe, they give definite answers on players. They are usually the best scouts in each country. I think the best scouts should find you the best players. Being discreet is very important. Nobody can know who you are. I try to stay out of the spotlight because it's more beneficial if people don't recognise my face. I don't like to be in the newspaper. If they know you then they will be able to know what player you are looking at. You are working for your club, nobody else so it's important not to show other clubs what you're doing. You will have Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter, Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Lyon all chasing the same players. They are all powerful clubs with a lot of money so you have to make sure everything you do is secret. The scouts can't be telling anyone they work for the club. So if your scouts can stay discreet it helps.
 
Would you say scouting is something of an art form?
 
No. Football is not a science, therefore scouting can't be either. It's all about decisions and relationships. One and one doesn't always add up to two in football. What you think will work doesn't always and vice versa. For example Ryan Babel's impact in the Arsenal Champions League game. 44,000 people in Anfield and they all have different ideas about what to do after Arsenal score. We're going out of the competition and then Rafa sends on Ryan Babel. Within seconds he's won a penalty and then he scores a goal. That is something that's beyond your control. So a scout can never be 100 per cent sure that a player will go on to be a success in the first team. But you've got to find players who have all the requirements to do that.
 
How many times will you watch a player before deciding whether he is the right man for Liverpool?
 
Sometimes five times, sometimes ten. Sometimes twice and you are sure because you already know everything about him. Normally we watch them five, six or maybe seven times - and it's not just me. At the end, when you hand the report to Rafa you have to be certain. I have to convince Rafa that this player is right for Liverpool. He is the most difficult one to convince. You have to believe in the player's capabilities. If Rafa isn't sure and you're not convinced yourself then the player will never be signed. When you are starting out it's a long process. Sometimes it's more difficult to find younger players rather than senior guys. When they are 16, 17 years of age they play less games. So making a decision with the scout, working with Rafa, and then finalising the move with Rick Parry is a very long process. When you are watching the unveiling press conference everyone is very happy. You are relaxed at that stage. That is a fantastic feeling. People are very happy when the player signs. They say: 'yes, we've signed a new player,' but behind the scenes it's a difficult process.

How does your family cope with your job. I assume your job involves very long hours...
 
I never stop. Even at the weekends I am still going to watch a game on a Saturday and Sunday. It could be an U17 or U19 UEFA tournament. Or during the season I might be attending a Champions League game on Tuesday and Wednesday and then a UEFA Cup game on a Thursday. It's a special job that you have to love a lot. If you don't then it would become impossible. I don't see much of my family, although they are very happy here. When my wife and young twins went to Spain recently she said it was too hot. That shows how accustomed they've become to life here. Another problem is the language. I try to teach them Spanish and also the dialect from my home town. While they're obviously learning English now. It gets very confusing at times. When they started saying: 'ta' for thank you I didn't know what they were talking about because I'd never heard of it! But I love this job and I'm proud to work for the club; it's a price worth paying.
 
What does an average day at Melwood involve for you?
 
We start with a breakfast meeting when we talk about everything that has to be done. I have to organise the scouting team. Some days I chat with Rafa and update him on different players. It's not a typical office routine. It varies from day to day. Scouting is not set every day. You are working looking for players and everything can change quickly. For example you might plan to watch an U18 game but if the player you are checking on doesn't feature then you can't work. It means you always need a plan b and sometimes even a plan c. You have to be flexible.
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Offline RED-EAZY

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #34 on: July 24, 2008, 02:00:22 pm »
Eduardo, you've been at the club since 2006 as Chief Scout. How did you come to join Liverpool?
 
Well, Rafa was trying to procure me every day. I met him through Valencia and then he asked me to come here. Rafa said I need a chief scout to head up our global scouting network. He wanted to build up the system. That's not to say I wasn't happy where I was. I was very happy in Valencia. It was a good life that I really enjoyed. So coming here was a big decision. If I hadn't been happy in Spain then it would have been an easy choice to come to England. But it wasn't easy, although I do think I made the right choice. Along with the decision to get married this was the biggest choice I've ever had to make in my life. My dad was a fan of Liverpool and he told me all about Dalglish, Hansen and Phil Thompson. In Spain before the Premier League started we'd get one English game on TV every month and it was nearly always Liverpool. So for me the club had a mythical quality about it. Now to be working for this club and with these people makes me feel like I'm very lucky. People tell me that all the time.

i like this bit of the interiew as i used to feel a bit the same about dalglish, hansen, thompson and co, with the champions league, not being old enough to remember the games it always looked magical to me and sort of like a myth. thats why i thank rafa for making it a reality
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Offline Manila Kop

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #35 on: July 24, 2008, 02:11:43 pm »
Royhendo, can't blame you for not wanting to transcribe that.  ;D  But that is a great interview with lots of insight into how Melwood and Liverpool work under Rafa and his team.  I love that part about mentality and not leaving anything to chance - that should be quoted any time one of the moaners comes up for a snipe at any of the new signings threads!
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Lolzies. More chance of a wank off the pope than beating United, I'm afraid. It is beyond Benitez, apart from when they were at their lowest ebb, when we knocked them out of the FA Cup. They certainly aren't anywhere near there now.

Offline hassinator

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #36 on: July 24, 2008, 03:14:35 pm »
real bad boys move in silence - excellent piece.  its nice to hear what our backroom boys have to say.

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Offline JOYRO

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #37 on: July 24, 2008, 03:33:14 pm »
This shows what a great work Rafa has done with Liverpool FC. He's building us up for successes at a long period of time. And when you're reading this article it makes a lot of sense why we're chasing Keane and Barry. And I think it also explains why we're not after Quaresma.

Offline Fine Shagger, Danny Agger

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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #38 on: July 24, 2008, 04:25:32 pm »
Excellent piece. Why am I not surprised that Rafa's the hardest to convince? 'You know my idea, no? He has to have enough kwaaality.'
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Re: EdUardo Macia - Rafa's Chief Scout
« Reply #39 on: July 24, 2008, 04:55:36 pm »
When I said I believe, with time and backing, Rafa is the man to return us to the very top of European football, I didn't mean in some bloody stats table.

I meant, if he's give enough time and money, he will return us to what we were in the glory years - The top dogs, the team nobody wanted to play and everybody feared.

Show him the fucking money. Or at least enough time to build another crushing machine like Macia helped him build at Valencia.
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