Max Caldas had a fantastic four years in charge of the Netherlands women’s national team, so good in fact that his employers, the Dutch Hockey Board (KNHB), want him to do it all over again with the men’s national team.
During his time, the Argentine and his players won Olympic gold in London, the Hockey World League 2014 and the 2014 World Cup, achievements that led to Max being crowned 2014 FIH Coach of the Year.
Here Max talks about winning the award, the secrets of his success and his plans for the future.
What does winning FIH Coach of the Year mean to you?
MC: It is a great honour, but I think it says a lot about the group of players that played in the Dutch team, not only the ones that played in the World Cup but also the ones that did not make it. And of course being a part of a hard-working and fun-loving staff too.
What have you learnt about yourself during your time with the women’s squad?
MC: I have learned a lot about myself, as a coach and as a person. I think there is a difference here because you are not defined by what you do. I have developed as Max the person but I also think working with a passionate and driven group of players forces you to keep on trying to provide better programs, training and topics to discuss. You have to be vulnerable at times, be the one that makes the hard choices, delegates. When you have discovered your strengths it is important to then stretch the things that cost the most energy, and go at them, every day.
What was your biggest moment as coach to the Netherlands women?
MC: It is very difficult to name one. I feel very responsible for the joy and sadness of the players and staff. Every little moment of happiness, it can be even in a training, in the private sphere in my relationship with the players or staff. The little things that happen every day, all of them are just as important for me as an Olympic Games or a World Cup.
What precipitated your move from the women’s national team to the men’s national team?
MC: The choice came down to family issues on the one hand and having the chance to do this job in the medium to long term too. My contract with the women stopped after Rio 2016, with the men that contract extends for at least another four years. I wanted to give my family this idea of ‘job security’. I also wanted the challenge of supporting progress already made (with the men’s team) but add new things to the equation too.
What are your coaching ambitions for the next few years?
MC: For the next four years I am where I am. I am very proud of the chance to help the men in their development. I do not do career planning, but every person has their dreams. At this point in time all of my dreams are to do with the Dutch men's team achieving excellence.
Who or what inspires you?
MC: I read, I listen and I watch a lot of sport – rugby, NFL, football – there are a lot of people that I admire or have the chance to follow or work with. I also made sure from day one that I build my own team of critics. I have a group of coaches, people from outside the sport, a personal coach who I bounce ideas off. They are critical and supportive when needed, and I talk to them fairly regularly. It is a very humbling experience every single time.
