A 39-year-old New Yorker with a ardour for teaching soccer, Jack Stefanowski has blazed a decidedly unconventional path. Brian Sciaretta spoke with the Nepal nationwide workforce coach.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
November 04, 2014
4:05 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
WHEN AMERICAN PLAYERS OR COACHES step exterior of their consolation zone and transfer overseas, normally their vacation spot is Western Europe or Mexico.
Jack Stefanowski, nonetheless, is taking a special route and is attempting to develop Nepal’s nationwide workforce—a program that has traditionally had little or no success. It has been a tall activity to construct up this system with restricted infrastructure however the New York-born Stefanowski takes all of it in stride.
“It’s a great experience,” Stefanowski instructed ASN over Skype from an Web café in Kathmandu. “Obviously there are challenges here but anywhere you go as a coach you just have to overcome those challenges,” he said. “We had some great results last year. We did well in the south Asian tournament. Our biggest win was against India so that was a fantastic experience. Even though there are challenges we are finding ways to get results.”
The 39-year-old Stefanowski took an oblique path to Nepal. After graduating from New York College in 1997 he performed with two native semipro groups. His taking part in profession was short-lived, nonetheless, and he quickly transitioned into teaching with native New York space schools. Over time he acquired each his UEFA “A” and USSF “B” teaching licenses.
In 2008 he made the leap to teaching on the skilled degree: Stefanowski had temporary head teaching jobs with Puerto Rican golf equipment Bayamon FC and Sevilla FC. In 2010 he was even the interim head coach of the Puerto Rican nationwide workforce. His longest tenured job was as an assistant coach with the Puerto Rican Islanders and he was on the employees in 2010 when the Islanders pulled off a surprising upset to eradicate the Los Angeles Galaxy within the CONCACAF Champions League.
In 2012, nonetheless, he returned to New York to discover different alternatives. By way of a contact Stefanowski realized that the pinnacle teaching place for Nepal’s nationwide workforce was open. At first it appeared an odd possibility however Stefanowski was out of labor and determined to take an opportunity. After interviewing with the Nepalese federation, he was employed to a one-year contract in January 2013.
With wins over India, Bangladesh, and a draw towards Pakistan, Nepal noticed its comparatively modest FIFA World Rating transfer inside the highest 170. On the time of his hiring, the nation’s soccer supporters considered Stefanowski with skepticism however steadily he started to win them over.
“I think the perception of an American coach coming in, I don’t think people were too sure,” Stefanowski mentioned. “But it’s something I had to push through and change people’s minds and put in the hard work. The biggest thing for me was to get results. It’s definitely a challenge perception-wise for an American coach to come out to Asia or even Nepal. People might not be familiar with American soccer. It’s been good to break through that barrier.”
On the finish of 2013, Stefanowski’s contract expired and Nepal’s federation elected to go along with a neighborhood coach. After a string of unimpressive outcomes—which included disappointing losses to Yemen and the Philippines—Nepal’s federation requested Stefanowski to return and never solely coach the nationwide workforce however to even have a hand overseeing the youth nationwide groups as nicely.
“There is definitely some progress,” Stefanowski mentioned. “We went up in the FIFA rankings, so that is a plus. Now I am here to get them back to that standard that they were at last September—not only get there but get beyond and continue to work with the players and improve the national team program as a whole.”
There are all kinds of challenges for Stefanowski in Nepal and chief amongst them is dealing with the rising standing of a number of of the youthful gamers who’re displaying spectacular potential— not less than by the nation’s requirements. Probably the most outstanding instance is 16-year-old Bimal Magar, who just lately turned the primary Nepalese participant to ever signal with a European workforce when he joined Anderlecht youth academy in Belgium.
In the USA, followers are often looking for to anoint the subsequent promising younger participant because the “next big thing.” In Nepal, how Stefanowski handles Magar is a vital as a result of expectations are rising quickly. Final yr Stefanowski introduced Magar right into a match towards Pakistan on the 2013 South Asian Soccer Federation Championship. Although simply 15 on the time, Magar scored a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw. That aim made him the youngest participant to ever rating for Nepal.
“That’s breaking barriers,” Stefanowski said. “He’s the first Nepali player to play in Europe. It’s going to be a fantastic experience with the training he is going to get there.”
“People here are excited about him,” he added. “It puts a lot of pressure on him but I’ve had a chats with him and told him the biggest thing for him is to just keep improving and don’t worry about pleasing people or the pressure. He understood. He’s intelligent and I know he’ll do well.”
The 2015 marketing campaign might be an essential one for Stefanowski and the Nepal nationwide workforce, which faces qualifiers for the Asian Video games which can in flip have implicationson World Cup qualifying. On Friday, Nepal misplaced 3-0 to a Philippines aspect that’s now coached by former U.S. nationwide workforce captain Thomas Dooley. It was solely the second sport ever between two nationwide groups coached by Individuals. For Stefanowski, he’s very open concerning the delight he takes in being one of many few American coaches overseas.
“I think the more American coaches we can get abroad, [the] more respect,” Stefanowski mentioned. “I hope that this matchup between two American head coaches gives our coaches back home more hope and opportunities to work abroad. The Philippines is a very competitive team who has improved tremendously over the last few years. With Thomas Dooley taking over the team, they will be stronger in the AFC.”
HELPING BUILD NEPAL’S soccer infrastructure is actually difficult however life off the sphere has not at all times been simple for Stefanowski, his spouse, and their three-year-old baby. The largest tradition shock when he first arrived in Kathmandu was the nation’s transportation system. To today, he has his personal non-public driver.
In his spare time, Stefanowski visits town of Pokhara the place he can paraglide, spend time close to lakes, and benefit from the nation’s outstanding magnificence within the Himalayas. He has taken a airplane to see Mount Everest and someday he want to climb not less than a portion of it.
“It was an adjustment but after we got through that period, we definitely enjoyed living in Nepal,” Stefanowski mentioned. “It’s a special world, however relying on the way you have a look at it, you’ll be able to at all times recognize issues. It’s a special setting however the folks listed here are implausible. The followers listed here are unbelievable. Their ardour for soccer is excellent. I get pleasure from it rather a lot. I’m simply working onerous and after I do have free time, I recognize the pure sources they’ve right here.
“I have big ambitions,” he continued. “Yes, at some point I would definitely like to return to the U.S. I think right now with my family, we want to experience the world. If we can stay in Asia or anywhere throughout the world, we would definitely cherish that opportunity.”
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Observe him on Twitter.
