Episodes
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Gary is joined by Ashley Gumbrell to discuss ways that coaches can create an optimal environment for young players to love and learn the game. Ashley is a Coach Developer and also a lecturer at St. Mary's University. He also discusses the role of coach education along with his work with Eamon Devlin at Minute9.
The St Mary’s University Performance Football Coaching master’s is a unique opportunity to learn from world renowned academics and industry experts, whilst making significant strides to develop your career and bolster your knowledge of coaching theories.
https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/performance-football-coaching
Their course content has been tailored to reflect the diverse football coaching environments across the world. We have worked with industry experts, alumni, and designated football partners, who have contributed to module design that ensures you are always gaining industry relevant knowledge.
Our students are coaching across the world, from Mexico City, Iceland, India and the United States, in roles including senior international first team analysts; academy managers; senior first team managers, heads of department and coach educators, all armed with the knowledge they have developed on the course.
Students will need to have achieved the UEFA B, USSF B or equivalent coaching qualification from your home country to apply, as well as having either a relevant undergraduate degree OR significant football experience as a player or coach should you not have completed a degree prior to enrolling.
Places are open for September 2025 now and you have the whole summer to submit your interest, with those meeting the entry criteria eligible to apply right up until September 1st.
If you would like to know more, they have a series of online information webinars coming up over the next few months which will provide you with even more detail about finance, module content and further details of how to apply. To register for these webinars, book a meeting with our course lead or to download our course brochure, just visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.
https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/performance-football-coaching -
Check out Jack's Game Changer online course below -
https://thecoachinglab.org/pages/game-changer-2025-online-sports-coaching-course
Gary is joined by Jack Rolfe, founder of The Coaching Lab, to discuss ways that coaches can improve and challenge some traditional behaviors during training session. Jack has worked extensively with coaches around the world to improve training environments and maximize enjoyment levels of the players. In this interview, he also shares ideas on how coaches can grow and build effective habits to help sustain a career in coaching. -
Missing episodes?
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Gary is joined by Jack Winter, who most recently worked at Stanford University as an assistant coach, to discuss the current landscape of college soccer. In this interview, Jack gives his views on the following:
- Impact on the Portal and NIL in the college game
- How high transfer rates impact team culture
- Why soccer programs should be compensated if players move to advance their careers
- The 'transactional' nature of college recruitment
- Experience working with Jeremy Gunn
And much more! -
On the recent Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, we spoke to Dr. Konstantin Sonkin about the role of neuro training in the world of elite player development. Dr. Sonkin is a DeepTech entrepreneur with a blend of business acumen and technical expertise in Neuroscience and AI. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of i-BrainTech, a SportsTech company that is leveraging the power of applied science and neuro training to radically enhance cognitive functioning, unlock human potential, and solve real-world issues. Some of the clubs they work with include: Benfica, Juventus, Philadelphia Union, Leganes. They also won the 2023 Innovation of the Year Award for their collaboration with Juventus. In this episode, Dr. Sonkin joins MSC to discuss their progress in cognitive training and how it is positioned in the marketplace for coaches.
Find more information below:
https://www.i-brain.tech/ -
Coaches: You can read Jake's full article here:
https://theraumdeuter.sport.blog/2024/12/14/boxed-in-how-the-thirds-of-play-impact-creativity-in-football-development/
Gary is joined by former Premier League Academy Coach, Jake Pickles, to discuss and challenge a common approach to possession football: the thirds model. Jake believes that, rather than educating players on the tactical principles of the game, it limits creativity and individualism. What are your thoughts? Please let us know! -
In this episode we visit ACF Fiorentina in Italy to talk to Mirko Mazzantini (ACF Fiorentina Technical Director U8–U15) who discusses the youth methodology at the club. It's a fascinating insight into structure vs. freedom, development vs. winning, and even how coach compensation is structured within the academy.
The St Mary’s University Performance Football Coaching master’s is a unique opportunity to learn from world renowned academics and industry experts, whilst making significant strides to develop your career and bolster your knowledge of coaching theories.
https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/performance-football-coaching
Their course content has been tailored to reflect the diverse football coaching environments across the world. We have worked with industry experts, alumni, and designated football partners, who have contributed to module design that ensures you are always gaining industry relevant knowledge.
Our students are coaching across the world, from Mexico City, Iceland, India and the United States, in roles including senior international first team analysts; academy managers; senior first team managers, heads of department and coach educators, all armed with the knowledge they have developed on the course.
Students will need to have achieved the UEFA B, USSF B or equivalent coaching qualification from your home country to apply, as well as having either a relevant undergraduate degree OR significant football experience as a player or coach should you not have completed a degree prior to enrolling.
Places are open for September 2025 now and you have the whole summer to submit your interest, with those meeting the entry criteria eligible to apply right up until September 1st.
If you would like to know more, they have a series of online information webinars coming up over the next few months which will provide you with even more detail about finance, module content and further details of how to apply. To register for these webinars, book a meeting with our course lead or to download our course brochure, just visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn or X.
https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/performance-football-coaching -
Gary was recently joined by former Al Ettifaq FC 1st Team Lead Analyst, Raymond Shearwood. Before his role on Steven Gerrard's staff at Al Ettifaq, Raymond spent nine years at Liverpool coaching and working from the starting age groups to the Under 21's. In this interview, Raymond shares unique insights on what made that Liverpool culture so special and how they blended football development with leadership and life skills. Raymond's journey itself is somewhat of a hybrid approach as he discusses the role of tactical analysis alongside coaching, as well as the decision behind his move to Saudi Arabia to work with Steven Gerrard.
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Coaches: Register for MSC Set-Piece Webinar Below:
https://event.webinarjam.com/register/442/k3g3rbgy
Gary is joined by former Sacramento Republic head coach Mark Biggs. Mark discusses the difference between the idealistic world of coaching and the realistic version. He shares insight around how he used data to drive the player profile at Sacramento, changing the culture, playing a 13 year old in a pro game and the importance of training intensity. As a USSF PRO License holder, Mark is just as passionate about coach development and gives a lot back to the next generation with some great advice on how to manage your own coaching career.
Thank you for listening! Please 'leave a rating' or comment if you enjoy it! -
Coaches: Register for our FREE MSC Set-Piece Webinar with Michele Aragona below:
https://event.webinarjam.com/register/442/k3g3rbgy
This week, Gary is joined by Head of Coaching at Wellington Phoenix, Joshua Neff, to discuss the Director of Coaching role at youth and pro clubs. Joshua shares his experience at the New Zealand club of building out a methodology but also aligning it with a 'coaching culture' that is built around trust, honesty, passion for the game, and growth mindset. He discusses the unique environment at Wellington Phoenix and how the coaches work alongside one another to help the players and the club progress.
Having also experienced MLS academies, Joshua has some some words of advice for coaches in the US who are working through the sometimes challenging role of a Director of Coaching and where you can get high quality professional support. -
Don't miss our 4-2-3-1 Webinar on March 7th. Register Below:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/msc-webinar-coaching-the-4-2-3-1-system-principles
Last week there was a huge announcement in the world of youth soccer with the English FA confirming it as a game format next calendar year. So what does that mean for development? What will the landscape look like moving forward? How are coaches going to prepare for this? There is no one better equipped in world to talk about this topic than Peter Prickett. He has written extensively on this subject in his best-selling 3v3 Methodology books, as well as supporting coaches and working on the grass himself. In this week's MSC Podcast, we speak to Peter about the details of the announcement and look at ways that clubs and coaches can maximize this opportunity to make a difference in youth development. -
Gary is joined by Mark Robinson to discuss the world of Elite Player Development and his role at Chelsea and AFC Wimbledon. Breaking into a first team at a Champions League club is no easy feat and Mark provides a unique insight into the weekly process of training and managing world class potential. He also provides ideas in coach development and discusses the innovative processes at AFC Wimbledon, including sending youth players to a game with no coach to drive independent decision makers!
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UPCOMING WEBINAR: Coaching Principles in a 4-2-3-1 System (Register Below)
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/msc-webinar-coaching-the-4-2-3-1-system-principles
Gary is joined by Head Coach at Mjøndalen (Norway and UEFA Pro Licence Coach, Kevin Nicol. Alongside his professional coaching journey, Kevin has studied the 'structure versus creativity' theme in detail and has written a research article on it also.
In this discussion, Kevin covers:
- Player confidence and consistency in tactical approach from coach
- Ability of coaches to teach detail in a simplistic concise manner.
- Importance of connecting before teaching
- Facilitating a degree of freedom within the tactical framework
- Managing coach and player collaboration
And much more!
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If you missed the latest MSC webinar on Coaching Your Back 3, watch the replay below:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/shop
In this episode Gary is joined by Ciarán McArdle, to discuss his new leadership book, Soccer of Success. As a co-founder of XL Soccer World, Ciarán has built a thriving network of sports facilities that span from Florida to Maine, welcoming over 3 million visitors annually. His passion for soccer has not only driven his business ventures but also inspired his work as a Forbes-featured author and aspiring speaker.
Check out Ciaran's website here:
https://soccerofsuccess.com/ -
Gary is joined by FC London head coach and Director of Methodology, Yiannis Tsala, who discusses football actions, interactions and references - alongside coaching and analysis. With more research around decision-making areas in recent years, theory and practice seem to be drifting further and further apart, making it more challenging for coaches to implement new concepts and ideas. However, in this interview, Yiannis does an outstanding job in relating complexity to daily tasks of coaches and analysts today.
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Don't Miss Our MSC Coaching a Back 3 Webinar:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/live-webinar-coaching-a-back-3-system-effectively
Gary is joined by Union Omaha head coach Dominic Casciato, who discusses his coaching journey and gives insights on how coaches can adapt to the different challenges that may arrive along the way. Dominic also discusses the role of data, sport science and how learning changes as players progress in their development.
If you enjoy the interview, please leave a rating and review!
Thanks for the support! -
Coaches: Please leave a rating for the Podcast if you enjoy listening to it. Also check out our 'Coaching the Back Three' Webinar on February 3rd with Bernat Mosquera below:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/live-webinar-coaching-a-back-3-system-effectively
We are joined by former Queens Park academy coach, Ian McCall to discuss the Play-Practice-Play methodology. Of course, there are a number of benefits around having a games-based approach to training sessions, but have we looked enough at the potential drawbacks or ways that this approach has been misinterpreted? Ian provides ideas and insights around best practice and aligning session design to holistic development and a club ethos. -
MSC Special Offer Below!!
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/2025-special-offer-coach-bundle
This week, Gary talks to current professional striker Conor Washington about the position and ways to potentially improve how it is coached from youth to senior level.
With over 400 appearances at the professional level at clubs including Derby County and Queens Park Rangers, plus 40 caps at international level, Conor has experienced the game at the highest level and shares insights on what separates the best players. Also, there are a couple of twists in the conversation. Firstly, as a pro player Conor utilized and benefited from an individual coach that made an immediate improvement on his game. Now, as Conor starts to look ahead into the future, he's already started his Elite Attacking Coach program where he's supporting the next generation of attacking players. Conor discusses this and much more! -
COACHES: As it's approaching the end of the year, we would love you to take the time to leave a rating and a quick review on the Podcast. Thanks!
Todd Beane talks with Gary on whether we are making progress in coach education, the landscape in the US, and how environments can challenge coaches as well as players!
Watch FREE Todd Beane MSC Webinar Here:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/todd-beane-guest-webinar-high-school-coaches-2021
Check out TOVO Methodology course that starts March 1: https://tovoacademy.com/product/tovo-v1-course-tovo-methodology/
Sign-Up for TOVO newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/tovoacademy.com/tovo-newsletter -
Please coaches, if you enjoy the work can you leave a rating and a review? Thanks so much! - Gary
We are joined by Michael Paule-Carres Methodologist at RCD Espanyol de Barcelona. Michael's journey is a fascinating one. As an Honors Society student at Kalamazoo College, it looked like Michael was destined for a career in the lab as a chemist. But a change of heart and a brave step into a Spanish La Liga course opened up the doors for him to work at one of the best academies in Europe. In this interview, Michael discusses his journey, as well as sharing the insights to academy methodology at Espanyol. -
Gary travels to Spain to talk to Bernat Mosquera again. Bernat currently works in Austria with LASK and has also worked at two Spainish tiers and in China, as well as the aspect of individual development. He discusses the complexity of Positional Play, along with ideas on how coaches can teach it more effectively in their own environments.
Check out Bernat's new Final Third Course here:
https://modern-coach-hub.teachable.com/p/final-third-actions
You can follow Bernat here:
www.linkedin.com/in/bernat-mosquera/ - Show more
