Masterclass 2 min read

Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf
Photography by Giorgio Perottino
Author
Tony Hodson
Published on
December 21 2021

La Liga, April 14 2018

Athletic Bilbao 2Deportivo La Coruna 3

Garcia (47), Susaete (72)

Adrián López (6, 14), Borja (53)

It was in February 2018 that Clarence Seedorf was appointed head coach of Deportivo La Coruña. Inheriting a team in La Liga’s relegation zone and without a victory in seven, despite Seedorf inspiring improved performances, that run continued for a further eight fixtures. Their first victory came at home to Malaga, but was then followed by an unenviable trip to Athletic Bilbao.

What followed were two goals in the opening 15 minutes that silenced the crowd at the San Mamés, and eventually the three vital points that came when they won 3-2. Speaking exclusively to The Coaches’ Voice, the former Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan midfielder revisits the approach that inspired Deportivo’s success.

Starting line-ups
Athletic BilbaoDeportivo La Coruna
12441618672822141113262416514228715
Athletic Bilbao4-2-3-1
Deportivo La CorunaFour-diamond-two
1Kepa Arrizabalaga
13Rubén Martínez
18Óscar de Marcos
2Juanfran
16Xabier Etxeita
6Raúl Albentosa
4Iñigo Martínez
24Fabian Schär
24Mikel Balenziaga
16Luisinho
7Beñat Etxebarria
5Pedro Mosquera
6Mikel San José
14Michael Krohn-Dehli
14Markel Susaeta
22Celso Borges
22Raúl García
8Emre Çolak
28Iñigo Córdoba
7Lucas Pérez
11Iñaki Williams
15Adrián López