Kauê Galhardo on methodology and youth development at Corinthians U14 | OneFootball

Corinthians continues making adjustments to its youth academy structure, and one of the new developments is the arrival of Kauê Galhardo to lead the Under-14 team. At 29 years old, the coach is having his first experience at the club and is part of the restructuring process led by the youth academy board, with a focus on player development and training.

In an interview with Corinthians TV, the professional recalled his journey in football and his decision to pursue a career off the pitch.

Photo: Reproduction / YouTube Corinthians TV

“I accumulated international experience and won major youth titles, such as the Paulista Championship in the Under-15 and Under-17 categories, in addition to finishing as runner-up with the Under-13s and winning tournaments abroad. At 18, I reached a decisive moment: I needed to choose between insisting on a playing career or following a new path. That was when I enrolled at the Federal University in Santos, where I graduated in Physical Education”, he began.

“From the start of college, my passion for football remained alive; I knew I needed to stay in the game and experience the sport’s day-to-day life. It was that certainty that motivated me to pursue a coaching career”, he added.

The coach also commented on the changes in youth football over the years, highlighting the evolution in access to information and the support offered to young athletes.

“The big difference between my time and today is the evolution, especially in digital content. Access to information is very broad, which can be positive or negative. Technological advances help these youngsters through the ease of watching matches, reviewing their own plays, and, above all, through performance analysis — something that was in its infancy in my time and is now central. Another fundamental point that has evolved greatly is psychological support; in the past, the subject was rarely discussed, but today caring for an athlete’s mental health is a major facilitator in the development process”, he explained.

When addressing the role of football in young people’s lives, Kauê reinforced the importance of the sport in the athletes’ personal development.

“I believe football is much more than a sport; it is a powerful agent in the development of these young people. It is a social tool with enormous reach that could sometimes be even better used. At 14 years old, they enter a transitional phase, when they begin shaping their personality and seeking a more mature identity. It is a period of great sensitivity that requires our constant attention to ensure they do not lose their way”, he said.

In addition to the work on the field, the coach highlighted the importance of support off the pitch, especially in the players’ mental and social preparation.

“I always tell the players that my role is to bring them closer to their dreams. For that to happen, I cannot limit myself only to what occurs on the field. I talk a lot about life off the pitch: how to deal with family pressure, how to process mistakes and successes, and how to filter outside influences after a derby or a great performance. Football is a sport of opportunities, and we never know when ours will come; that is why they always need to be ready. This is where I emphasize the importance of individualized training: each one must maximize their strengths so that, when the opportunity arises, they are able to live up to it,” he commented.

Kauê also explained how planning works within the youth academy and the goal of developing players prepared for the professional level.

“Each age group works on specific content, aligned with the athletes’ stage of development, so that they reach the professional level or the Brazilian National Team fully prepared. I constantly tell them that the goal is not only to get there, but to stay at the top. We do not want them to move up just any old way, ‘by fits and starts,’ but to achieve their dreams on a solid foundation. Our focus is to develop players who become key figures at Corinthians and references in the National Team, capable of competing in a World Cup. We know it is a long process that requires sacrifice and maturity, and our role is to make them understand this reality as early as possible.”

The coach also highlighted the integration between age groups and the alignment in the athletes’ transition process.

“Although the training schedules of Herlon Silva (Under-13), Edu Vergueiro (Under-15), and mine coincide, which at times makes direct observation of field activities difficult, our communication is daily and constant. We are able to follow the matches more closely and, since the age groups are neighboring, the exchange of information is essential. We have Under-13 and Under-14 players who are already moving up into older age groups, which requires ongoing alignment regarding these youngsters’ performances and the identification of new talents ready for this transition. This integration is fundamental, and we maintain an excellent institutional relationship so that the process flows naturally,” he stated.

“We had a meeting last week precisely to align this transition process. It is essential that the flow of players moving up or returning between age groups be fluid and strategic. When we identify that a young player has reached a technical level above his age group, it is essential to promote him so that he can face new challenges and difficulties that accelerate his development. This integrated work between the Under-13, Under-14, and Under-15 teams has been very productive, with direct support and the expertise of Ricardo (Drubscky, youth academy technical coordinator). With this methodology, Corinthians reaps the rewards and, above all, so does the development of our players,” he said enthusiastically.

Finally, Kauê Galhardo praised the structure offered by the club and reinforced the invitation for the fans to closely follow the youth academy’s work.

“My first impressions were excellent. I have even shared with family members that the structure here is of the highest level and there is nothing to complain about. I have already worked at clubs with fewer resources, and I make a point of reinforcing to the players the importance of valuing what they receive here. They have at their disposal the very best for the development process, from sports equipment to the support of highly qualified professionals. We have a robust multidisciplinary staff — with dentists, psychologists, and nutritionists — all focused on a single objective: maximizing these youngsters so they can reach Corinthians’ professional level. It is a structure of excellence that both I and the players must enjoy with the utmost responsibility, because we are in a truly magical place,” he said.

“I call on all the fans to come to Fazendinha and support our Under-14 team. Your presence makes an enormous difference for these youngsters and is a unique opportunity to get to know Corinthians’ future talents up close. You can expect an extremely competitive team that will look to dictate play and go for goals at all times. I guarantee there will be no shortage of grit for even a single minute. I’m counting on your support!” he concluded.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.