Rio Ferdinand endorsed calls for a shake-up in coaching as revolutionary changes to youth football received overwhelming backing at the Football Association's shareholders' AGM.
Some 87% of the 778 votes cast were in favour of the plans which will see youngsters playing in smaller-sided games, with smaller pitches and goals, and more emphasis on learning skills rather than winning. The aim is to bring English football more into line with countries such as Spain which place a greater emphasis on technique.
Ferdinand said on Twitter: "FA coaching courses need a right old shake up in my humble opinion if we are to move forward...some real good bits but some ancient bits too."
He added: "One thing our kids coaches don't do that foreign coaches do is teach them to pass the ball to a player under pressure...then coach one-two. How to protect the ball under pressure..foreign players do that much better than us...one reason why they keep possession better."
FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking had called the vote "as important as anything that will happen this summer. The Euros are about the here and now - this vote is about the future."
A meeting of county FAs, clubs and other bodies at Wembley saw 778 votes cast with 679 in favour and 99 against. The changes will be phased in for the 2014/15 season and see 5 v 5 for under seven and eight-year-olds, and 9 v 9 for under 11 and 12-year-olds.
Competitions will become more child-friendly - breaking up the eight-month long adult-based season into smaller periods of competition.
Nick Levett, national development manager for the FA, said the changes were part of a long-term plan that should lead to benefits all the way up to England level.
He told the Press Association: "This is about grassroots football but also a 15 to 20-year programme for long-term player development, ultimately to help produce players to support the professional game and England team.
"It will mean more touches, more shots and more dribbles for young players and therefore improving the kids' technique."
Source: PA
