“Do Your Homework”: A Practical Guide for Coaches Starting at a New Club — Inspired by Abel Ferreira’s Arrival at Palmeiras (Patreon)

“Abel Ferreira arrived already knowing everyone's name. He spoke as if he had known us for some time. I thought: ‘He must have studied.’”
— Raphael Veiga, Palmeiras midfielder

When a coach joins a new club — especially in a new country or footballing context — success doesn’t begin with the first training session. It begins much earlier, with a process of investigation, learning, and preparation. What you know before you step into the building can be the difference between immediate adaptation and months of struggle.

This article is inspired by the diagnostic process Abel Ferreira and his staff followed before officially joining Palmeiras in 2020. Over just two days, they gathered deep insights about the country, the league, the club, and the squad — building a foundation that helped them win titles in record time. Below, we break that process down into theory and practical steps so that other coaches can follow a similar path when preparing for a new role.

WHY DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS MATTERS

When entering a new environment, a coach must adapt quickly without losing identity. This requires:

• Understanding the culture of the country and club

• Reading the footballing context: league style, competitive demands

• Evaluating the players and structure you’ll inherit

• Adjusting communication to connect faster and lead more effectively

THE DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS – 3 CORE PILLARS

1. Cultural and Linguistic Immersion

Before talking about tactics or training, Abel and his staff studied Brazil’s cultural diversity — not just on the pitch but in language, behavior, and social norms. They even studied football vocabulary differences between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese to avoid communication gaps.

Practical steps:

• Learn the key footballing terms used in the local context (e.g., “zagueiro” for center-back in Brazil).

• Understand regional cultures and how players’ origins may influence mindset and behavior.

• Use the club website to create an organizational chart with photos of all staff members.

• Practice addressing each person by name from Day 1 — a simple but powerful leadership gesture.

“Knowing names and context creates instant connection — it shows you’re not just a visitor, but already part of the project.”

2. League and Club Analysis

Abel’s staff analyzed the Brazilian league using data from the last 11 seasons to identify trends, challenges, and winning patterns. They compared the Brazilian champions’ profiles with champions from Portugal and other European leagues.

What to analyze:

• Points needed to win the league or reach top continental positions

• Goals scored and conceded on average by title-winning teams

• Impact of home vs. away matches

• Importance of matches against top, mid-table, and bottom teams

• Compare the league’s style to those you’ve worked in: tempo, intensity, weather, travel, pitch quality

Tools to use:

• League databases (WyScout, InStat, Transfermarkt)

• Heatmaps, positional averages, expected goals (xG)

• Comparative tables from multiple seasons

3. Squad Evaluation: Internal + External Approach

Before coaching a single session, Abel’s team carried out two layers of player analysis:

a) Internal Analysis:

• Requested reports from Palmeiras’ scouting and data departments (CIP)

• Used diagnostic templates to gather personal, tactical, physical, and psychological profiles from people already inside the club

b) External Analysis:

• Watched previous matches under both Vanderlei Luxemburgo and interim coach Andrey Lopes

• Conducted qualitative evaluations (decision-making, reactions under pressure, off-the-ball behavior)

• Performed quantitative comparisons (duels won, passes completed, sprints, coverage) to establish realistic player profiles

Example Checklist for Player Diagnostics:

Dimension: Technical Example Insight: First touch under pressure, passing range

Dimension: Tactical Example Insight: Positioning during transitions, defensive IQ

Dimension: Physical Example Insight: Injury history, recovery time, endurance

Dimension: Mental Example Insight: Leadership, frustration tolerance, consistency

Dimension: Social/Emotional Example Insight: Adaptability, family situation, off-field support

Integrating with Club Structure

Abel’s team began immediate contact with heads of department via calls and messages. They collected documents and workflows from the medical team, logistics staff, performance analysts, and more.

Guidelines:

• Ask for daily/weekly reports from each area

• Understand existing routines before suggesting changes

• Offer your own method outlines and ask how to integrate them

"Respecting the existing structure opens doors — trying to change everything overnight closes them."

YOUR PRE-ARRIVAL CHECKLIST

Area: Culture Key Action: Study national/regional values, dressing room norms

Area: Language Key Action: Learn football-specific vocabulary used locally

Area: League Key Action: Analyze past seasons, title-winning trends, playing styles

Area: Club Key Action: Learn names, roles, and hierarchy of staff and departments

Area: Players Key Action: Run internal and external player diagnostics

Area: Departments Key Action: Collect workflows and key contact points

Area: Strategy Key Action: Define how your vision can align with the club's philosophy

FINAL REFLECTION: BE PRESENT BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

Abel Ferreira didn’t show up hoping to adapt “on the go.” He arrived already inside the club, mentally and professionally. His preparation made the transition faster, the communication clearer, and the trust stronger.

Coaches who invest in diagnosis before action gain clarity, control, and credibility. In a profession where time is always against you, preparation is the only advantage you control from day one.

“You don’t need a full preseason to start preparing. You need intention, information, and humility — before the first ball rolls.”