Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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 opportuni...

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 l...

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...

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...

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 coa...

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...

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 resea...

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....

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 th...

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 h...

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...

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 in...

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-pag...

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 L...

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://mo...

Gary is joined by Ray Power to discuss the intricacies of coaching styles and why we should potentially be a little more deliberate in the style we choose for the way we want to play. Implicit vs. Explicit Learning Styles! You can contact Ray if you would like to follow up below: power.ray@hotmail.co.uk

Gary is joined by Hugo Vicente to discuss the ways that AI and Chat GPT will change football and coaching. Hugo is a UEFA PRO License coach, with over 20 years of experience in football coaching and player development across multiple countries, including Portugal, Norway, Denmark, and China. Hugo has worked with top clubs and youth academies, including Boavista, Benfica and Braga. He is also passi...

We recently did our second MSC Club visit to New York Red Bulls to interview Academy Director, Sean McCafferty. Our last conversation with Sean was during lockdown in 2020, and we wanted to follow-up and get his insights on the evolution of the Red Bull system and the growth of US professional player development over the last 2-3 years. Sean was extremely generous with both his time and sharing th...

Gary is joined by one of the leaders in worldwide player development over the past 10-15 years. Romeo Jozak was a pioneer as Technical Director for Croatia and now works as Technical Director for Saudi Arabia. He also holds a UEFA PRO License and is author the phenomenal book,“CFF Development Curriculum.” In this interview, Romeo outlines the challenges for coaches and youth environments in the Un...

Gary is joined by UEFA Pro Licensed Coach, Mick McDermott, to discuss his experience alongside Carlos Queiroz and Iran at the 2018 World Cup, managing Glentoran, and working in Saudi Arabia. Mick provides ideas and methods for coaches on navigating the hiring process and managing ownership, as well as elite level players.

Last week we took our first MSC road trip to visit Richie Ryan at FC Cincinnati Academy. Richie has a fascinating football journey, coming through Sunderland's academy system and then making his first team debut in the big derby game with bitter rivals, Newcastle United. After stops in Belgium, League of Ireland and the US, Richie recently moved onto the coaching side of the game working at FC Tul...

Gary is joined by Anthony McCann, personal/professional coach who works with the Irish FA and specializes in Adult ADHD, Burnout, and Recovery. There's no secret that there is more stress and pressure in every level of coaching than ever before... but not a lot on how we can deal with it. Anthony provide's phenomenal insight on a powerful topic, and and challenges some conventional thinking along...

How does Tactical Periodization and Sport Science connect? This week on the MSC Podcast, we are joined by Ian Coll, current Head of Performance at Las Vegas Lights (USL). Ian has extensive experience in the professional game working with distinguished clubs such as Hadjuk Split and Glasgow Celtic. He is also experience in Tactical Periodisation, learning from the great Vitor Frade as a Masters Can...

This week we are excited to be joined by Philadelphia Union U18 head coach Peter McDonnell. He discusses what makes the MLS club so unique when it comes to player development and how the club has created alignment from first team to all youth levels. The complexity of professional development is also a key topic as Peter shares how players balance academics, social media, and the rollercoaster nat...

This week on the MSC Podcast, Gary is joined by Temisan Williams to discuss youth curriculums and academy methodologies. Temisan has coached professionally at 3 Premier League Academies (including Arsenal FC, Tottenham FC. Fulham FC) and also is the founder of the Excellence Academy. In this interview, Temisan discusses the effectiveness of a curriculum, how it can be shaped to suit the demands of...