Great Britain team leader Jason Lee believes greater investment in coach education and a change of emphasis in domestic hockey are needed to bring success at international level.

Lee's side concluded a disappointing Olympics with a ninth-place finish in Athens and although many observers were unhappy that, unfortunately, is a fair reflection.

Weaknesses in the players' technical abilities and some naive tactics were highlighted under the searing Athens sun and for a number of the squad international retirement beckons.

The coach would readily admit it has been a steep learning curve for him, having taken over only 10 months ago, but already he has seen enough to formulate an opinion on what needs to be changed.

"We have learned some big lessons, because the pressure is so much bigger. We should just be noting small discrepancies not major ones and that was the situation here," he said.

"We are nowhere near as aware of tactics as probably six of the top eight, who are also far, far superior in terms of basic abilities.

"The guys have got good core skills but don't have to repeat them enough in pressure situations and that is the type of hockey they are playing day-in, day-out domestically."

Lee, giving his thoughts on the way forward, added: "British hockey has an awful lot of under-used resources and if we are allowed to express that a bit more there can be big improvements.

"Our coach education and knowledge of coaching is one issue - we just don't understand it as much as they (other national coaches) do.

"We have got good people who just don't have fantastic experience and fantastic knowledge and that is the responsibility of British hockey not just individuals."

Lee, a former Great Britain and England international with Olympic experience, also believes there has to be a better relationship between the national side and league sides.

"There are some really, really great clubs in Britain but they are just not coerced enough," he said.

"They don't see the link with them and the national side. If they could see it as being beneficial they could make such a difference.

"The way our country is set up, the only way forward is for the clubs to work in tandem with the national side.

"The English Premier Division is for elite performance and I don't think that is something that it is set up to do - it is more about fixtures and teams winning championships.

"We also need the top clubs regularly winning in Europe to actually reflect on the national side."

Lee will now leave the GB role to return to his work within the English hockey coaching structure but would not be drawn on his future, despite there being a vacancy for the England coach's job.

"I have not thought about that, I have completely enveloped myself in this position over the last nine months," he added.