Expert Discusses Role of Set-Piece Coaches Amidst Everton’s Stance

Rene Meulensteen, formerly an assistant manager at Manchester United, shared his perspective on set pieces during an appearance on BBC Radio Merseyside’s Total Sport show. He stated, “Set pieces can be a beautiful art form, it can be. I don’t think it’s ugly football at all.” Meulensteen emphasized that set pieces are a fundamental component of football, noting that clubs dedicating significant effort to both defensive organization and attacking routines, particularly with a specialist, often see substantial benefits. He cited Arsenal and Everton’s performance this season as evidence of this impact. Despite Everton manager Sean Dyche indicating he does not believe it necessary to adopt the approach of other clubs that have hired specialist set-piece coaches, Meulensteen described the integration of such experts as “part of evolution.” Meulensteen elaborated, “If you go back 15 years ago or 20 years ago no one’s heard of a performance coach or strength and conditioning coach, that has all come in.” He further suggested that a dedicated set-piece coach aligns with the increasingly specialized nature of modern football, predicting a rise in teams employing defensive coaches or assistant coaches focused on possession and forward play. He stressed that this role demands extensive preparation, meticulous attention to detail, and ensuring every player understands and executes their responsibilities. He highlighted the critical need for variety in attacking set pieces, explaining that constant repetition leads to predictability. Therefore, continuous refreshment of strategies is vital, especially considering player absences due to injury or suspension. Meulensteen concluded that a competent set-piece coach can significantly alleviate the workload of the head coach or manager, allowing them to delegate this specific area with confidence.