Ouaddou says Thierry Henry story inspires Pirates’ pursuit of excellence

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says a story from Thierry Henry’s book has influenced the way he challenges his players to improve, after the former Arsenal and France striker attended the Soweto Derby.

Henry was at FNB Stadium on Saturday as a global ambassador for Betway, watching Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in the first Soweto Derby of the season. Before the match, Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi and Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Brandon Petersen posed for a photograph with Henry.

Ouaddou, who has quickly become a highly animated presence in the Pirates technical area, used Henry’s visit to explain why he demands such high standards from his squad.

The Moroccan coach said his touchline intensity is driven by a determination to achieve excellence at a club with significant ambitions.

“It’s not easy to do this job. When you played for 17 years and then decide to become a coach, especially at a big club like Pirates, you want the best for your team and your club. I am driven by excellence,” he said.

Ouaddou then referred to an account in Henry’s book about the expectations placed on him by his father as he developed as a young player in Paris.

“I had my friend Thierry Henry here. I was reading his book and he said his father was never happy when he was young, playing in a youth team in Paris. I think in Clairefontaine, he was scoring four or five goals and when he came home, he was expecting his father to congratulate him, but he was told it was not enough.

“He was telling him he should score more. So, I’d like to push my players for excellence, to be better and better. As a big brother and a coach, you want the best for the players, but of course, on the side, you can see the emotion of someone who wants to win.”

The Pirates manager admitted, however, that his approach can affect players in different ways. He said their personalities and mental strength were important factors in how they responded to his demands.

“In some players, depending on their profile, my emotion can push them to be the best and for some who have a weak mentality, when they see the emotion of the coach, they can be surprised, but high level is a lot of emotions and pressure. And you have to manage these emotions,” he concluded.

For Ouaddou, the victory over Kaizer Chiefs did not alter the message he wants to deliver at Orlando Pirates: players must continue striving to reach a higher standard.