Without any true superstar players, last summer Spain embodied what we all know to be true: team beats talent.

This can’t happen without elite coaching – and the market certainly thinks Spanish coaches are elite. Over 140 of the world’s 1000 best teams are now coached by Spaniards, nearly 75% more than the next-best country (Germany). Spain has grown its market share of this elite coach cohort by 31% over 10 years.

Meanwhile the Italian national team’s recent decline has been mirrored by their coaches falling out of favour globally; you’re now more likely to see a Portuguese coach in elite football. It’s a similar if less stark story with the Netherlands, compared to Denmark.

Players and teams can only succeed with good coaches. Replicating Spain’s success starts with countries finding their own formula for developing the people who develop their players.