Jorge Arcila has previously worked at the academies of FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. In 2018, he moved to 1. FC Köln, where he has been head coach of the International Talent Programme ever since. In an interview with fc.de, he talks about his work, how he develops talent and what goals the programme pursues.
Hello Jorge, you are the coach of a special team. What exactly is the International Talent Program?
The ITP is a program for foreign players. Our goal is to improve the players, especially in the details. Europe is a different place than the US or Asia, where many of the boys come from. The intensity and understanding of the game are on a whole other level here. That's what we're working on, that's our job. We really enjoy helping them. /the players to get better.
How long are players usually part of the team?
Normally, the boys stay for one season to develop as a team over a longer period of time. However, there is also the option of coming here for six or three months.
How difficult is it for a coach to deal with so many personnel changes?
Of course, that's not easy. Not only because of the changes, but also because the players are at different levels at the start. Our job as coaches is to find the right balance and improve the boys as quickly as possible. That certainly takes a little longer than in other teams. But it makes it all the more enjoyable when you see the players making steps forward.
You only play friendly matches. What are your goals if you can't achieve a league position?
We play against local teams and similar programs from other professional clubs to provide a competitive environment. But our focus is bigger than results. Our goal is to develop the players both on and off the field. On the pitch, we improve their technical and tactical skills; off the pitch, we want this to be a lifetime experience that helps them grow personally and culturally. In the end, they should leave with more opportunities than they had before attending the program — whether that’s joining European clubs or earning college scholarships in the USA.
What kind of football do you stand for as a coach?
I come from Barcelona, where you always want to have the ball. However, every pass must have a purpose. We want to tie up our opponents with short passes and then outplay them with long balls. You need possession to be able to attack at the right moment. This is a new approach for the American guys. They rely on intensity and mostly play kick-and-rush. Their energy needs to be used at the right moments. We're working on that in the first few weeks.
Before joining FC, you worked at the academies of FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. How does football in Spain differ from football in Germany?
In Germany, I learned a lot about transition moments. German teams are also particularly strong at counter-pressing. As a manager, if you can strike a balance between these moments and longer periods of possession, you can be very successful. Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany are demonstrating this right now. As a manager, it's impressive to see.
What challenges do you face when managing an international team without any players from your home country?
Of course, it’s a challenge, since most players are in Germany for the first time. Daily language classes, cultural activities, and strong team bonding help, and our partner agency, Warubi Sports, does an excellent job supporting the players off the pitch. We work very closely and with great trust to help the team grow both as players and as people.
In Herbert Zimmermann, you have an FC legend at your side. How does he help you in the coaching staff?
Having a legend like Herbert Zimmermann on the coaching staff brings prestige and invaluable experience. At the same time, we work closely with the next generation of international coaches, who are deeply connected to the player and provide crucial support both on and off the field.
You have been a coach for the ITP since 2018. How has the program developed during this time?
When we started in 2018 as the “Korea Project,” we worked only with a Korean agency. Later, we expanded to Japan and North America. In 2020 we had 18 players; today we have a steady 24. As I mentioned before, the close work with Warubi Sports has taken the program to a completely new level. Off-pitch support has improved tremendously, allowing us to truly focus on the team’s development on the pitch.
What has been your highlight at ITP so far?
The highlight of this season was definitely our match against FC Bayern Munich. We drew 1-1 against a team with lots of great players. It was an incredible experience for the entire team and showed them just how strong they can be when they play together.
How has the current season been going so far?
The season is going very well, and the team has made great progress. In February, we attended a major showcase in Cologne organized by our partner agency Warubi Sports. It was an excellent event, giving our players the opportunity to impress numerous scouts from top American universities.
Are you interested? Find out more about the International Talent Program here.