Hong Kong football physically, athletically, technically deficient – there needs to be more professionalism, says Class of ’92 legend Nicky Butt
Former Manchester United star believes the Football Association needs to get children focused solely on the game from a younger age
There are perhaps few people in the world as qualified to talk about the state of football in Hong Kong as former Manchester United legend Nicky Butt.
“I came across here four or five years ago now, so I was surprised at the talent they have and the good young players. But I think it needs to be more professional,” Butt said at an event in Hong Kong to promote Now TV’s football coverage for next season, as well as the new interactive “Ballr” smartphone app.
Not only did Butt, 42, get a personal taste of the local game during a season with South China in 2010-11, but he is now head of coaching at the United youth academy.
The former England international, who made 270 appearances for United, believes the Hong Kong Football Association’s problems start and end with academy coaching.
“It needs to be more culturally ingrained, in a way, when kids are nine, 10, 11 years old,” Butt said. “They need to get that base, that groundwork, into the culture.
