The Lowdown

What does it really take to handle the world’s biggest players, the fastest games, and the fiercest scrutiny in football? Jonathan Moss knows better than most. From starting out on grassroots pitches to taking charge of Premier League clashes watched by millions, Moss has lived the highs, the pressure, and the controversy of refereeing at the very top. Now Head of Referees at Football Australia, h...

Peter Sturgess has been at the heart of reshaping English football’s approach to youth development. From designing the FA Youth Modules and creating the Play Phase for 4–6 year olds, to working alongside Dan Ashworth in building the England DNA, his influence has touched every corner of the game. Beyond the frameworks, Peter has also been a coach educator, researcher, and futsal advocate — all wit...

In this episode, I sat down with Scott Miller — a coach whose story runs from buying a one-way ticket to the UK, working building sites, and cold calls, to standing on the touchline in a Europa League final with Fulham and later becoming the youngest head coach in A-League history. Scott shares what it was like working with players such as Dimitar Berbatov, Damien Duff, and Clint Dempsey, the less...

Today’s guest, Bernat Mosquera is known for his innovative lens on individual development, player centred learning and final-third mastery, Bernat has worked across continents and cultures, shaping a coaching philosophy that encourages understanding over recognition. He is the mind behind Modern Coach Hub, a leading platform for sharing fresh coaching ideas and frameworks. From rethinking how play...

The Sporting Director is one of the most influential and misunderstood roles in modern football. Today’s guest, Dan Parnell, is at the forefront of changing that perception. As the CEO of the Association of Sporting Directors (ASD), Dan has been instrumental in shaping the way leaders in football approach system design, strategy, and long-term success. With a background in academia, research, and...

" A good coach changes the game, a great coach changes a life"; - John Wooden. A mantra from the one and only John Wooden but one in which today's guest Tom Hartley lives and breathes by. Tom is a leading voice in coach development, system design, and player pathways. Tom brings a multi-disciplinary perspective from his roles at Arsenal, The FA, UK Coaching, Oxford United Women, True Athlete Proje...

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Dan Lock — Head of Coaching & Individual Development for Columbus Crew. Driven by an insatiable appetite to learn and grow, Dan shares insights into the diverse environments that have shaped his journey so far. Always seeking opportunities to stretch himself—whether through leadership, coach development, or exploring the intricacies of individual growth—Dan...

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Gary Curneen — host of the Modern Soccer Coach podcast. Gary's platform has been widely acknowledged as one of the best learning hubs for coaches worldwide. In this wide ranging conversation we tackle topics from youth development to the recent Club World Cup and even as far as what a modern soccer coach will look like over these next 5-10 years. Really fascinat...

On today’s episode, we’re joined by women’s football pioneer Dawn Scott — renowned for her transformative work with both the England and U.S. Women’s National Teams. With a career highlighted by back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019, Dawn’s legacy is defined by relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in high performance. In this conversation, Dawn takes us through her r...

"Tomorrow you have an opportunity to be better than today." Didier Chamberon is the Director of Coaching Education at US Soccer. Today Didier discussed alongside myself the current state of Coach Education and the challenges it faces in modern society. Firstly harnessing ones passion, we then progress into areas such as how can coaches build their toolkit and furthermore how can one discover and i...

Today I am re-releasing one of my most popular recordings to date with Raymond Verheijen the owner of Football Coach Evolution. “The aim of Football Coach Evolution is not to change the world but to develop coaches based on more objective & reliable information”. Having served as an assistant in four World Cups & Euros alongside being mentored by the likes of Louis Van Gaal & Guus Hidd...

Adam Mooi is the Technical Director of Newfoundland & Labrador Soccer. As a young leader Adam has been responsible for designing and implementing game models, coaching education, building out games programmes, elevating current programmes, formalising player development processes amongst so much more. A journey which has took Adam across his homeland working in a vast array of different market...

"To be quick but don't hurry" Famous words spoken by legendary basketball coach John Wooden yet a quote which today's guest Matt Jordan lives by. Having connected with Matt at January's ASD summit in Chicago I was compelled to invite him on the podcast. Making the transition from playing to front office is becoming a more widely popular route for many footballers nowadays. Matt was one of the earl...

David Clancy is the CEO & Co-Founder of Nxt Level Group. Creating a vision, discovering one's purpose, intentional reflection, planning for the future - all important right? Yet how often do we create the space and time to unpack and discover? At Nxt Level where their clients are the teams behind the team they help individuals position themselves not only for success right now but also in the...

In this episode, I am joined by Paul Balsom, Head of Fitness Advisory for UEFA and Tigres UANL, who shares his incredible journey in the world of football fitness. From his humble beginnings growing up in Torquay to advising top football organizations, Paul reflects on the values, mindset, and experiences that have shaped his successful career. He dives into the importance of hard work, curiosity,...

Peter McDonnell is the U17 head coach of Philadelphia Union. A true student of the game and committed developer, Peter has strived to ensure he has passed on the many fruits of a path shaped by football. Coaching in Ireland, at Seacoast United and Minnesota all preceded a move to Philadelphia Union in the last year. Winning this years U17 GA Cup proved to be one of many highlights Peter has had si...

David Webb is the First Team Coach of the Georgia National Team. Since debuting on the podcast over 2 years ago David was contacted by Willy Sagnol to join the staff ahead of their Euro playoffs earlier this year. What ensued was possibly the story of this years European Championships. Ranked 74th in the world did little to hold Georgia back and they attacked each game in the entertaining and insp...

“In your building, if the level of conversation is good the level of conversation goes out on to the pitch.” Michael Beale is well known to many for his work as first team coach. However it is his track record in youth development which initially caught the eye. 15 years of an apprenticeship at Charlton, Chelsea and Liverpool working alongside some future Premier League managers helped shaped some...

Sonny Cobbs is the Founder & CEO of Precision Football. It sits as the flagship Football Tech Centre of the Middle East at less than a few years old. With 25 staff and 3,000 people coming through the doors each week it is a paradise for anyone in love with the sport. Even more remarkable than the very idea of its existence have been the milestones the organisation have hit in such a short spac...

Scott McLachlan is the Global Head of Football for Global Football Holdings. After listening to Scott it is hard not to be infused with wonder and awe for the beautiful game. An expert storyteller Scott's anecdotes about the 1978 World Cup in Argentina and 2021 Champions League Final are just two wonderful milestones amid a formidable love affair with the game. Retaining this child like affinity f...

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Todays guest James O'Connor is a man who has seen it all in football. The Louisville City President amassed over 500 appearances in first team football before beginning his coaching career in America. Seeking the pull of making an impact at a higher level James jumped at the chance to become Club President. Overseeing the building of a $50m training complex, $75m stadium and the expansion of the w...

Todays guest Alex Clapham is a Tactical Advisor with 777 Partners and founder of Cano Football. As a young coach Alex repeatedly sought to challenge his worldview taking influences from the outside. It wasn’t enough for Alex to only read and watch from afar, he was soon pulled to embody and live that experience. That set in motion a journey of discovery forging a coaching career in Mexico and Spai...

"Winning takes talent, to repeat it takes character..." James Kerr is best known for his book; "Legacy - What the All Blacks can teach us about the business of life". Here James goes deep into the heart of the All Blacks distilling 15 practical lessons for leadership and business. Working with the All Blacks at a time where they reframed winning, "Legacy" best encapsulates the arc of a team who wo...

Nice have earned plaudits aplenty this season for their bold, courageous and unrelenting style of football. Led by Francisco Farioli they have a staff who live and breathe these core values on and off the pitch. Today I was joined by the very special; Jarkko Tuomisto, their goalkeeping coach. The following conversation with Jarkko lends to some fascinating insight as how he ascended to the top of...