The Rogério Ceni Era has officially begun in São Paulo. The team’s great idol conducted his first practice as the new coach at the IMG Academy in Florida, showing a vigorous way of coaching and constantly stimulating his players.
Even with all eyes focused on the manager, his newly hired assistant coaches, Englishman Michael Beale and Frenchman Charles Hembert, were also getting attention.
In an innovative practice method for Brazilian clubs, the team’s squad was divided into two groups. One of them was commanded by the foreign duo, who showed their struggle to overcome the language barrier. Beale would interrupt practice when any mistake happened and would try to instruct the players in his mother tongue. To his luck, Hembert has already improved his Portuguese skills and was able to serve as a translator between his partner and the players.
(Rodrigo Calvozzo / Goal Brasil)
The unusual scene symbolized the new path São Paulo is taking: trying to become a team that cares more about being in tune with modern soccer than with language or cultural barriers.
