This weekend the Reds take on Derby County in the FA Cup fifth round, and for Manchester United Soccer Schools coach Robin va…

This weekend the Reds take on Derby County in the FA Cup fifth round, and for Manchester United Soccer Schools coach Robin van der Laan it will be another afternoon of divided loyalties.

Soccer Schools’ international head coach is regarded as somewhat a legend by Derby fans (pictured above in action against Roy Keane in April 1997) and his current role of spreading the United message is one that keeps him busy. It’s safe to say that picking the side he’d like to win on Sunday (kick-off 4pm GMT) is no easy task.

Robin spent three years with the Rams, helping them to Premier League promotion in 1996 and to retain that status 12 months later. But since hanging up his boots in 2001, after a spell coaching at Derby’s academy, he took up a role with Manchester United Soccer Schools and has coached youngsters all over the world.

So what better a time, ahead of a clash of the two clubs uppermost in his affections, for a chat with the Ram turned Red?

How long have you worked for Manchester United Soccer Schools?
I’m going into my fifth year now. Shortly after I retired playing I worked at the Derby County Academy, I spent a couple of years there. Then I got involved here and I’ve been travelling all over the world with the Soccer Schools ever since. I was in Canada for two years, as head coach at Manchester United Soccer School Toronto, based in a place called Oakville. I was over there with my wife and four kids and we had a great experience. During that time I was also in Seattle, covering as the head coach there for six weeks. I’ve been back in the UK since August but have spent four weeks in Australia – in Melbourne and Brisbane, I went to Dubai on the way back and did some coaching education for our coaches out there, and also a 10-day course in Singapore, a pilot programme which has now progressed to a 10-week course for 2009. So the air miles are going well!

What does your role involve?
My role involves a lot of on field coaching. When we went to Singapore and Australia I had my own groups to work with, as well as coordinating and directing the courses. For instance, in Singapore I had a group in the afternoon so spent the morning with the other areas of the role. In general it’s all on the field stuff but then there’s being part a part of the Manchester United Soccer Schools team in the office here at Old Trafford which involves coach recruitment, coach mentoring and the design of the courses.

You take the Manchester United message around the world, what’s that like?
The enthusiasm for the club is fantastic wherever you go. If you’re wearing this badge [touches United crest on his tracksuit] it opens doors and guarantees a warm welcome. People want to hear what you’ve got to say and what message you are delivering, because everybody is interested in what such a famous and successful Club is doing.

Where will you be taking the MUSS message next?
I’m here until next month and the next trip will be Singapore. I’ll be there for three weeks, then four weeks in June and three weeks in December. Being married and having four kids I can’t be jetting off for too long. I will probably be away 14 weeks in total during the year.

Do you enjoy working with youngsters?
We make sure the kids have the best time in the world. To see the kids smiling and enjoying themselves, as well as learning along the way is just fantastic, very satisfying as a coach.

United and Derby will meet again on Sunday, the third time in less than six week, are you looking forward to the game?
Yes, very much. I’ll be honest, it’s going to be difficult for me again. I said there wasn’t an ideal result last month and it’s the same again this time. Derby and Manchester United are my teams in England. With me being from Holland, spending my first 21 years there, you don’t grow up with that attachment to a local club. But since my time in England I grew a real feeling for Derby, where I had such a fantastic time, and now with Manchester United. Whichever way it goes I’ll be happy.

Q&A: Robin van der Laan

13TH FEB 2009

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