ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG
ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG
HUMAN CAPITAL › T he Academy is under the authority of the Club President. He signs contracts, but the decision-making is entrusted to the Academy Director (aided by coaches on new players). › O wn Coach Qualification Center
QUALITY AREAS SNAPSHOT
› Academy teams play attractive and aggressive football. The focus is always on individual development. Players should play attacking style with a high press like 'Manchester City'. COMPETITION › FC 'Zenit' Academy usually finishes in top 3. FC 'Krasnodar' is considered to be the closest rival in terms of climate, infrastructure, city culture, while FC 'Lokomotiv' (Moscow) is considered the best at scouting and bringing players through to first team. helps to educate coaches and to improve their qualification level. Coaches usually work full time, only 5% of them work part time. › C oaches are required to learn English.
COGNITIVE CARE › The club does not demand results from 10-15-year-olds, but they are put under pressure and control. › Academy coaches and specialists try to develop well-rounded humans, not just footballers, who are aware of the pitfalls of social media/comms. › Academy has staff who keep in touch with schools and who hold bi-annual meetings with parents. › Academy coaches work with U7s-U17s players, but some youth coaches can progress to Zenit-Y, Zenit-2 or even first-team level. FINANCES › The club's aim is to earn more than it spends, and the Academy budget is 6% of club budget. › There are performances bonuses. FACILITIES › FC 'Zenit Academy has the best infrastructure in Russia. › Boarding school for players aged 12 and above (33 rooms, 74 beds). › World-class facilities include 5 pitches, a 3,000 capacity stadium, 1 indoor football pitch and other
training facilities, plus a gym, sauna, rehab complex, and hotel (109 beds).
TALENT IDENTIFICATION › A cademy’s Scout department is looking for talent across Russia, principally Saint Petersburg. › A nnual/bi-annual meeting of coaches and scouts helps to decide which first-team positions need to be strengthened. › P layers are constantly evaluated in the Academy by scouts/coaches. › T alent identification process includes partnerships with other clubs and academies, participation in different tournaments for each age group, organisation of own international tournaments and use of global connections/relationships with top clubs and academies. › FC ‘Zenit’ Academy has its own unique digital database, which tracks player progress.
PRODUCTIVITY › Their goal is to bring up the players ready for FC Zenit’s first team squad who will be well-educated and respectful of the club’s values and traditions, or to prepare top-level players to be sold to other clubs. › Currently, an effective system is being formed for players to move vertically from the Academy to the youth team and then the main squad. For this purpose, a special Talent Committee (First Team Coach, Zenit-2 Coach, Zenit-Y Coach, Academy Head coach and Club President) was created. › The key now is to prevent hindering talent from breaking through. STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE › Earlier, the Academy philosophy was influenced by Netherlands, but this no longer works in Russia. Academy is bringing through a period of change and is creating its own unique system.
BUY-IN FROM CLUB › Style of play is not the same in academy and first team.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY › The club is committed to entertaining its fans with attractive football. › Largest fan base in Russia, most followed Russian club online, and a growing following abroad.
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YOUTH FOOTBALL 2021-23
YOUTH FOOTBALL 2021-23
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