5-star football in Lagos

“We’re very keen to do something here that’s for the whole community”, explained Johann Eriksson, son of world-famous team manager Sven, and himself an accomplished football coach and sports psychologist.

“Football is for everyone – and as this complex was always designed with openness in mind (there are no gates. People can come right in…) we were delighted when we met up with Mark”.

FA qualified coach McCarrick, 48, is a former professional footballer who has been running a soccer school just outside Lagos for the last seven years. His gift at motivating children (boys and girls alike) and encouraging them to perform has already identified him as something of a local legend.

“My father and I are very excited about working with Mark”, Johann agrees. “We know how good he is with the kids – it’s going to be great”.

In fact, the move to Cascade spells major bonuses for the former McCarrick soccer school. It can now rapidly expand – as the new facilities, with two full-sized pitches, and two half-sized, easily cater for up to 60 children – and coaching will be in Portuguese, as well as English.

Johann Eriksson, 32, speaks the language fluently (as well as Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Italian, Spanish, French and English!) and there are two other Portuguese-speaking coaches coming in on the project.

“We’re really targetting Portuguese kids”, explains McCarrick. “The plan is to get the Saturday school to grow, and then put our youngsters into the local league…”

“And we’re going to win!” Johann completes the sentence with a smile.

Other plans include Easter and Summer Soccer Schools – three-day events aimed at improving children’s skills and techniques. Upcoming this Easter will be two schools, one from 20th to 22nd, and the other from 25th to 27th.

But another plus point to the whole package is that every now and then the children will get the benefit of coaching from Sven-Goran Eriksson himself. Currently managing Leicester City, Eriksson senior is due at Cascade at the weekend, to officially open the project, and oversee the Saturday morning coaching session.

Meantime, son Johann is an agent for international teams. In his capacity as coach at the new school, he’ll be keeping an eye on all the talent and making sure none of it goes to waste.

“It’s really a fantastic opportunity for everyone!” Mark McCarrick concludes. “It’s what I always dreamed of for the soccer school: fantastic facilities, the chance to improve, the chances for the kids to move on and play in league games – and basically just have fun playing football”.

Anyone interested in taking part in the Saturday morning soccer school (running from 10am to 12.30 pm every week, and costing just €10 a time) should get in touch with the school via email: sgefa.info@gmail.com, or by calling Mark McCarrick on 964422588

Team Eriksson at Cascade Wellness & Lifestyle Resort

“This is something we’ve been trying to open for the last 10 years,” Johann Eriksson explains. “And we’ve finally made it! The idea is obviously to bring in International teams as well. So far, we’ve had teams over from Moldavia and Andorra”. And their reaction?

“Heaven!” He smiles. “It’s a wholly sports and leisure based development. We’ve got pools, a gym, a spa, the Stefan Edberg Tennis Academy (to open this summer). We may also include a couple of squash courts, as we’ve heard the area could do with them…” There’s also a golf practice range and various recreational sports on offer, like hiking, cycling, yoga, Pilates, etc.

The development is set on 38 hectares with stunning views over land and sea between Ponte da Piedade and Porto de Mós. It has so far involved an investment of well over 70 million euros, and includes all types of accommodation, from 3-star off-season packages (priced at just €38 with breakfast included), to 5-star hotel accommodation and luxury villas.

Team Eriksson have a special affinity with Portugal. Eriksson senior twice managed Benfica during the 80s and always said how much he enjoyed the weather and the friendliness of the Portuguese people, and Eriksson junior seems very much at home in his new Lagos base. He arrives here after five years in Africa - where he managed teams in Nigeria and South Africa (getting the former to the semi finals of the African Championship League) and also helped run the family’s football academy on the Ivory Coast.

Upcoming plans for the future involve bringing over 20 – 30 European teams next Easter. “We also have plans to stage youth tournaments” , adds Eriksson. “We’re in touch with 200 teams just from Sweden…”

All of which sounds like very good news indeed for the new Saturday school in Southern Portugal!