About Pierrot Labat
In 1952 and at 18 years of age, Pierrot Labat was the first player to be signed and invited for residential training at the Girondins de Bordeaux, prior to the creation of its Soccer Academy. Pierrot trained with both the reserve and first teams and played several matches before being seriously injured during the 1958-59 season. Even after intensive rehabilitation, he was never able to resume playing soccer at a professional level again.
By 1980 Pierrot was interested to return to the soccer world, and was invited by the Girondins de Bordeaux to be part of the youth training and recruitment staff. His 15-16 year old team won the "Mondial Minimes" of Montaigu 4 times of their six qualifications. He was passionate about training and began organizing complementary trainings for the most dedicated players who had national team aspirations.
In 1986 Pierrot was integrated into the Training Academy as Assistant Director and remained there through June 1993. His roles were many: assistant trainer of technique, goalie trainer for the Reserve team, and coach of a youth team with the youth soccer school (8-12 years old). It was during this time he met Lizarazu and Dugarry, future international players, and worked with the “man who taught him to teach” Ante Mladinic.
Pierrot’s vision of the game, and of soccer coaching and training, was fundamentally transformed by Mladinic, one of the sport’s pioneers and visionaries. He worked side-by-side for 4 years with Mladinic and developed what became known as the “Yugoslav” method. Ahead of his time, Mladinic was tracking players’ statistics, conducting physical trainings at differenciated speeds to work on explosivity and vivacity on the field, and conducting separate technical training sessions consisting of essential moves used in match play, i.e. footwork with the ball, ball controls, passes, shots on goal, heading, etc. This is the method that was ultimately exported to Ajax Amsterdam and then embraced in Barcelona under Johan Cruyff.
In June 1993 Pierrot was asked to join the professional team as a talent scout though he continued his responsibilities as Assistant Trainer of the reserve team. During this time through June 1996, Pierrot also trained individual players, including Lizarazu, Dugarry and Zidane.
In 1997, Head Coach Elie Baup asked Pierrot to join the professional team staff in charge of technique, which he did through 2005. In 1999, Bordeaux won the French Soccer Championship and in 2000 the French League.
In 2005 Pierrot was completely reintegrated into the Academy and managed the technical training of youth teams. At about this time he made the crucial decision to preserve the knowledge and wisdom he developed with Mladinic along with his 25 years of experience training generations of successful players by creating a DVD teaching series.
In 2009, the 3 DVD set and his book, Memoirs of a Passionate Trainer and Coach, made a big splash in the french press as numerous international players like Lizarazu, Dugarry, Zidane and Papin came for the announcement to acknowledge the man, his achievement, and the method. The DVD training series is notable for its in-depth scope and proven track record with players who have achieved an international elite status in the sport. The press conference was proof to what Labat’s method brought to their lives and player success.
Labat is convinced that his life work, collecting, recording and implementing what he passionately designates as the Fundamentals of Soccer Technique, is essential to achieve excellence. He feels strongly that this knowledge needs to be shared and his expertise is now available for coaches, trainers, parents and players alike. For all those passionate about this beautiful sport, Labat’s technique will clear a path to the next level.
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