Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

Gary is joined by former Eintracht Frankfurt, Blackburn Rovers, Schalke 04, LA Galaxy, and US national team player Jermaine Jones. He talks about the following: - His experience growing up in Germany and what made that environment different from a US Academy. - Playing under Jurgen Klinsmann and how he made such an impact - Managing social media and distractions in today's game - His coach educati...

Gary is joined by Simon Clifford, an English coach who, over twenty years ago, challenged the concept that Brazilians possessed a natural talent and instead opened Brazilian soccer schools around the world, as well as working alongside senior players at Garforth Town and Southampton. Simon talks about the inspiration behind his journey, his friendship with Brazilian player Juninho, changing mindse...

Gary is joined by John Wall, a coach and analyst born in Sweden and CEO of GameInsight Soccer. They discuss John's book that he has co-written with Hans Backe and was inspired by Marcelo Bielsa. John discusses the need to learn from Bielsa but not copy him, the importance of creativity for coaches, allowing players time and space to solve their own problems, creating a style of play that can inspi...

Gary is joined by Ábel Lőrincz, First Team Analyst for Hungarian professional team Budapest Honvéd. Ábel discusses the defensive side of the game including: - Are fitness and speed really the most important requirements for pressing? - How should sessions be designed? - How should a coach act on game day? - How should we judge the success of pressing? - Which teams do you recommend watching? - How...

Gary is joined by Solent University lecturer, FA Tutor, and formerAFC Bournemouth Lead Youth Development Phase Coach, Graham Mills. He discusses the best ways to prepare and choose a study visit, including research and building the relationship with the coaches. He then details how he approaches the visit itself and what he does with all his notes and reflections. This podcast is brought to you by...

Gary is joined by Orlando Pirates first team analyst and U23 head coach, Michael Loftman, to discuss cognitive bias and outcome forecasting. Can framing certain scenarios and players in a biased way negatively impact our ability to coach and develop individuals? Michael shares his views on this and also his experiences in South Africa where players who have not been exposed to any coaching until l...

Gary talks with teaching specialist and author(Teach Like a Champion, Reading Reconsidered, Practice Perfect) Doug Lemov about how coaches can maximize their training time with their players. Doug shares a unique insight into how teaching, organization, and communication can be improved with your players and challenges coaches to consider a number of different aspects when planning, executing, and...

Gary is joined by TOVO Academy founder, Todd Beane, along with Dan Abrahams on the Modern Soccer Coach Roadshow event in First Draft Bar in Chicago last month. Todd talks about producing decision makers from a young age, how boring practices are doing more harm than good, how Johan Cruyff saw the game, and what we can do at every level to change, challenge, and improve. This podcast is brought to...

Gary is joined by German World Cup veteran Arne Friedrich, along with Dan Abrahams on the Modern Soccer Coach Roadshow event in First Draft Bar in Chicago last month. Arne discusses rebounding from a poor performance in the opening game of the 2006 World Cup, penalty shootouts, sports psychology in Bundesliga academies, marking Cristiano Ronaldo, and shares where he draws his inspiration from. Thi...

Gary is joined by current Wales and former Manchester United assistant coach, Tony Strudwick, along with Dan Abrahams on the Modern Soccer Coach Roadshow event in First Draft Bar in Chicago last month. Tony talks about life at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson during one of the most successful periods in the club's history: How did Sir Alex develop leaders? What kind of pressure was placed...

Gary is joined by former Kitsap Pumas head coach and current Seattle United coach, Liviu Bird. They discuss the recent Marcelo Bielsa 'spygate' news and share their views on the reaction from the coaching community. Liviu then details his philosophy and experiences with opposition analysis and how it applies to college, club and high school.

Gary sits down with head men's soccer coach at Stanford University, who has lifted the national championship there in 2015, 2016, and 2017. He also enjoyed a huge amount of success at previous schools UNC Charlotte and Fort Lewis College. Jeremy talks about how he defines success, how he builds a culture around that philosophy, and then how he sustains it. He covers recruitment, goal setting, staf...

Gary is joined by Atlanta United Academy Director, Tony Annan. He shares his coaching philosophy and discusses the level of motivation that led him to assess himself and take his coaching to another level. Tony also talks about life at the MLS Champions academy, how they recruit players and coaches, and the advice he has for coaches who are looking at developing elite players.

Gary is joined by Tottenham Hotspur Ladies assistant coach and UEFA Pro License, Juan Carlos Amoros. The objective of this coaching corner is to align theory and practice. What are Juan's beliefs and philosophies and how are they implemented currently? We talk about playing styles, build-up, individual training, recruitment, and the importance of attitude and values inside a professional club. Thi...

Gary is joined by Spanish football and training methodology expert Kieran Smith, to discuss one of the hottest topics in coach education in recent years: rondo's. Kieran discusses what it is, what it is not, how it should be implemented, ways coaches can progress them, and mistakes he sees both in theory and practice. They also discuss the value of work ethic in coaches and how that can prevent th...

Gary is joined by founder of Soccer Parenting Association, Skye Eddy Bruce. A former All-American player and college coach, Skye is passionate about helping coaches deal with the role of parents both in player development and coaching teams. Skye details how she her coaching journey has taken her to this side of the game and advises coaches how to deal with the different challenges that arise when...

Gary is joined in the 'Coaching Corner' by former Newcastle United center back and current Phoenix Rising assistant coach, Peter Ramage. He discusses his youth experience and why he decided to become a center back, how he was coached at the Newcastle United Academy, challenges of playing that position in the Premier League, and how he views the position today as a coach. The 'Coaching Corner' is a...

Gary is joined by former Tottenham and England defender Gary Stevens, who discusses being released by Sir Bobby Robson and then playing under him at the World Cup in 1986. As a pro license coach, he talks about the value of enjoyment and adapting his philosophy when he coached in Thailand. And finally, they talk about how difficulty the journey can be for a coach today and how looking after your o...

Gary is joined on the Coaching Corner by Glasgow Celtic U-16 Coach, Willie McNab, who takes an in-depth look at how to beat a low block. What are the technical requirements? How do you balance creativity and tactical discipline? How do impact decision making and risk taking in particular? How do you keep your defensive shape at such a key moment? What does an effective training session look like?...

Gary is joined by a coach who is no stranger to studying cultures, Jess Ibrom. As a UEFA and USSF 'A' licensed coach, the game has taken him to UK, USA, New Zealand, Mexico and Cook Islands. He talks about how he has had to adapt and simplify his philosophy, but shares what the secret is to both. He also gives an insight to a recent study visit to Mexican professional team Pachuca and details thei...

Philadelphia Union U-17 Academy Head Coach, Gary Lewis, talks about dealing with the top talents and managing them individually. He shares his experiences from his time at Derby, Liverpool and Everton, including working with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Gary gives an honest perspective about his coaching philosophy and what he judges success for a youth coach.

In a new feature on the MSC Podcast, Gary talks with former Taiwan National Team and Watford academy coach, Louis Lancaster on player development. Louis discusses his experience working with Borrusia Dortmund star, Jadon Sancho, and how he adjusted his own style of coaching to challenge and help him improve. Louis also talks about how one player he worked with was more motivated by Instagram over...

Gary is joined by Chicago Fire assistant coach Marko Mitrovic. He enjoyed success as head coach of the Serbian Under-15 and Under-16 teams, and was an assistant coach as Serbia were crowned 2015 FIFA Under-20. Marko discusses his experience at Red Star Belgrade academy at a time when they were European Champions. They also talk about coaching in MLS, the differences in culture and the impact that...

Gary is joined by former Everton and Southampton 1st team assistant coach, Fran Alonso. Currently the head coach at University of Liverpool, Fran discusses the impact of Spanish culture on the English game, working alongside Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino, feedback for elite players, and match day for an assistant coach. They also discuss the growth of tactics in the women's game and Fran's...

Gary is joined by expert tactical analyst Adin Osmanbasic to discuss the his views on the game. Adin has worked with Columbus Crew in MLS and writes for leading tactical website Spielvrlagerung. They discuss how coaching and analysis have merged, influence of Rene Maric, positional play and the type of player you require, social media, coach education, Pep & Jose, and of course, he has phenomenal...