Euro Tour 2017 - AZ thinks differently.

AZ has no business being in second place in the Eredivisie.  But don’t tell them that. While they are happy with the current standings what’s truly impressive is they know exactly why they are so good. 

They think different...

This is a €25 million budget team ahead of teams with €100+ million budgets. 

This different thinking has a very American feel. First everything starts with WHY?  A concept they learned from Simon Sinek and his Golden Circle. It permeates everything they do. 

Then you have their “learning power” methodology which is heavily influenced by Carol Dweck’s book Mindset.  

Throw in some “deep practice” concepts from Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code and a little Moneyball (Billy Bean is a consultant) and you have their recipe for thinking different. 

However the magic happens when you see how this approach is applied to everything including sports psychology, parent education, nutution, Player Development, coach selection, scouting talent etc.  

The result is winning the only way they can given the financial constraints. 17 of 24 players on the first team were developed in their youth academy. That’s an incredible number for any professional team not to mention one in second place. 

But what’s more impressive is commitment to this philosophy. Even if they could buy players they wouldn’t. They believe in developing them. 

Refreshing.