Coach Jason Lee believes significant domestic changes are needed to improve Great Britain's hockey fortunes.
Great Britain were thrashed 8-2 by Pakistan in Athens
The men's team finished in a lowly ninth position - their worst placing for 36 years - after losing four of their six games in Athens.
"We are nowhere near as aware of tactics as probably six of the top eight, who are also far superior in terms of basic abilities," said Lee.
"We have learned some big lessons because the pressure is much bigger."
Lee, who took charge of the national side 10 months ago, believes there needs to be a greater understanding between domestic clubs and the national side.
"They don't see the link with them (clubs) and the national side," he said. "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
"We also need the top clubs regularly winning in Europe to actually reflect on the national side."