Brisbane Roar announce new coach to head up European style ‘B-team’

Fresh from an opening day win over Macarthur FC to kick off their A-League Men season, Brisbane Roar have added to their coaching ranks this week with the appointment of Borja Souto to head up a ‘European Style’ B-team.

Souto, who holds a UEFA A Pro Licence and has coached in Turkey, Israel and his native Spain, will take over the reins of Brisbane’s second string immediately, with the aim of building a pathway to Michael Valkanis’ first team squad.

Round Ball Australia spoke exclusively to Brisbane Roar COO Zac Anderson recently to discuss the club’s thinking behind the appointment. 

Top-down Approach

Given the success of several young Queenslanders in their men’s first team in the last 12 months – Lucas Herrington and Tommy Waddingham being the obvious examples – it’s perhaps not surprising that the Roar are continuing to prioritise youth development.

But as Anderson is quick to point out, the appoint of Souto represents a shift in mentality to a B-team that is more closely aligned with the A-League Men squad.

“We want to adopt a top-down approach where the first team dictates the methodology and patterns of play for the teams below, starting with the B-team,” he explains.

He goes on to outline how success for the B-team going forward will focus on how many players progress from this shadow squad rather than winning at NPL level. 

“Success for the B-team should be measured by how many players are being promoted to the A-League squad and earning professional contracts, not just their results in NPL Queensland,” Anderson said.

“We have seen one player promoted to the seniors – Noah Maieroni – this off-season, but we must see that number improve going forward.”

But is this any different from what other A-League teams are doing?

Anderson believes it is, explaining that “most of the time, NPL coaches have the ambition to coach the senior team, which can create tension and sometimes a clear divide between the two teams.”

He goes on to point out the B-team under Souto will closely follow the first team training schedule, and that this is a model Souto is familiar with from his European experience.

The emphasis for Anderson when recruiting this new role was the applicant’s ability to create a pathway to the professional ranks for younger players.

“We wanted to bring in coaching staff who have a focus on youth development, and in Borja we believe we have done this,” he concludes.

This emphasis on youth development has been part of the vision ever since Anderson and CEO Kaz Patafta walked through the door over two years ago, and a defined B-team model seems like a logical next step.

Whether it creates more footballers like Herrington and Waddingham – both of whom have been sold for a healthy fee in the last year – is yet to be seen, but the thinking at least seems consistent.   

Extension of the A-League squad

While the re-branded B-team will be the responsibility of Souto, his interaction with first team coach Michael Valkanis will be critical to the concept’s success.

The two have worked together previously, as Valkanis pointed out recently when asked about the Spaniard’s appointment.  

“During my time working with Borja at Adana Demispor & Hapoel Tel Aviv, I saw first-hand his expertise and skills. I have no doubt he is perfectly suited to the role,” Valkanis commented.

That previous working relationship will undoubtedly make the transition of Souto into the Roar coaching set up a smoother proposition, and both men have the European experience to mould a similar blueprint in Brisbane.

“The B-team isn’t just an NPL team, but rather an extension of our A-League Men’s squad. I look forward to working alongside Borja to develop the best Queensland has to offer,” Valkanis added.

It’s clear Valkanis is fully on board with the concept – which is half the battle, especially when you look at what’s been happening to Aussie coaches overseas recently – and may even have been involved in its inception given his previous relationship with Souto.

But what about the man who will oversee the team in question?

Queensland talent the focus

Borja Souto hails from Valencia in the footballing powerhouse of Spain, but has spent the last few years honing his coaching skills in Turkey, Israel and most recently China.

And he is clear on his mandate after arriving in the River City in recent days.

“I am excited to be here in Brisbane and starting immediately, with the aim of taking more great Queensland talent and preparing them to become professionals here at Brisbane Roar.”

He will no doubt be aware of Brisbane’s recent track record of success in doing just that, with 20-year-old midfielder Noah Maieroni being the latest young Queenslander to secure a professional contract after an outstanding NPL season.

Maieroni joins Sam Klein, Quinn Macnicol and Lucas Herrington as members of the current first team squad who have recently graduated from the Roar’s youth development program, and Souto will be tasked with increasing the production line of local talent that can step up to A-League success.

With Australia’s professional football league still in a precarious financial state – the recent removal of Western United from this season’s competition being a case in point – the need to develop local talent is even more essential for A-League clubs.

While Brisbane’s move to a European-style model to achieve this seems a prudent move, Roar fans will be hoping that this translates to wins on the pitch after four long years without finals football.

If Souto achieves his aim, it seems likely that more young Queenslanders will be the foundation of any future success in Brisbane.