Claim OwnershipModern Soccer Coach Podcast
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Our goal is to bring in-depth content to coaches with a combination of interviews, chats, and personal thoughts on the topics that really matter in the beautiful game and elite-level sport. Enjoy and thanks for listening! - Gary
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On this week’s Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary sits down in Rio de Janeiro with André Medeiros, the man who has helped shape Fluminense’s methodology for over 25 years. Recorded during Gary’s recent visit as part of the TetraBrazil Tour, this conversation dives deep into how Brazil’s most respected academies view player development, coaching, and the evolving game.
André shares incredible insights on:
Why respect sits at the very top of Fluminense’s core values.
How coaches are taught to see themselves not as the center of the process, but as facilitators of player growth.
The club’s belief that “we don’t build players — we develop them,” focusing on character, adaptability, and intelligence.
The balance between athleticism, speed, and decision-making in the modern player.
Why the future of football might see positions disappear entirely, replaced by fluid, dynamic systems built on player versatility.
Beyond tactics and systems, André speaks passionately about the human side of the game — education, psychology, cooperation, and humility — all foundational pillars of how Fluminense produces not just great players, but great people.
Check out TetraBrazil below:
https://www.tetrabrazil.com/
Gary is joined by Gabriel Bussinger (Vasco da Gama) to explore their unique approach to elite player development.
Gabriel explains the following:
✨ What it means to be player-centered vs. game-centered
✨ Balancing chaos and organization in development
✨ Why methodology should grow from practice to theory—not the other way around
Standout quotes:
👉 “Rails confine talent. Trails give direction but leave freedom for creativity.”
👉 “Coaching is not the man inside the office. Coaching is walking with players, talking with them at breakfast, learning their culture, and caring for them as people.”
👉 “A Vasco player is technical, but above all, he is brave. He plays not only for the game, but for his family, his community, and to overcome the challenges of favela life.”
Watch John's full presentation FREE below:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/purpose-planning-and-people-insight-into-jamaica-s-blueprint-with-john-wall
In this episode, John Wall shares insights from his time as assistant coach for the Jamaican National Team (2022–2024). He discusses how to maximize player strengths, simplify complexity, and create repeatable structures, even with limited resources. Topics include transitions, defensive organization, set pieces, player development, and balancing tactical structure with freedom. John also reflects on the realities of coaching and how observation, pragmatism, and humility can drive team success.
Key takeaway: Coaching isn’t about doing everything—it’s about focusing on what truly matters and empowering players to perform at their best.
This podcast is sponsored by Actavivo!
Actavivo is a free team and group communication app built for clubs, schools, sports teams,
neighbourhoods, and organisations. It helps people connect, organise, and manage group
activities more effectively—all in one place.
Actavivo Website: https://actavivo.com
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/actavivo/id1611252168
Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actavivo&hl=en_US
Join MSC Insider Below:
https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions
Jes is current Director of Football and Data Science at the Saudi Pro League and former Head of Research & Development at FC Copenhagen. He unpacks the science behind “football intelligence" and explains why vague terms like game IQ fall short, and how neuroscience can help coaches break intelligence down into concrete, trainable skills like attention, scanning, pattern recognition, and decision-making. Jes shares practical insights from his work in elite football, showing how cognitive science can reshape analysis, training, and player development.
Join MSC Insider and access Ian's full presentation below:
https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions
In recent years, creativity in football has become a hot topic. Many fans, coaches, and analysts have noticed that the modern game, while faster and more tactically advanced, sometimes feels robotic. Players follow strict systems, teams recycle familiar patterns, and moments of genuine spontaneity feel rare.
Ian McCall has taken an in-depth look at this topic and provided a full presentation that provides insight and ideas on what coaches can do to design environments that keep creativity alive. In this interview, he looks at the following:
- Has football become too efficient and lost its creative spark?
- The difference between individual, collaborative, and collective creativity.
- How data, structure, and business pressures are shaping the modern game.
- Why society and education systems also impact creativity on the pitch.
- The role of coaches in creating safe environments for risk-taking.
Practical ideas to design training that fosters imagination and spontaneity.
Join MSC Insider Below:
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Gary is joined by Sue Parris, an emotional welfare specialist who has worked in professional football. for almost 15 years. Sue is an emotional intelligence advocate and developer, as well as Founder of The Changing Room and Simply Human and Head of Welfare and senior consultant for The Player Care Group. She spent eight years at Brighton and Hove Albion working as Education, Welfare, and Player Services Manager.
In this interview Sue discusses:
- The real definition of mental health
- The complexity of football environments
- Advice on vulnerability in the daily environment
- Mistakes that coaches and leaders can make in this area
And much more!
Gary is joined by Carsten Dohm, Head of Coaching San Diego FC (MLS) and Right To Dream. The San Diego FC project started last year, but Right To Dream have been impacting the football development world in a big way for over 25 years. They believe that "Everyone has the right to dream and talent deserves opportunity." Their work all over the world has launched the careers of 146 professional football players, equipped hundreds of our students with a first-class education and enabled further education opportunities and scholarship.
In this interview Carsten discusses the vision and values of Right To Dream, the challenges of aligning that culture in the US professional landscape, plus the emphasis on technical detail and individual development.
This is an interview about learning, teaching, development, passion, and most importantly, opportunity.
Please join the MSC Insider here:
https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions
1Gary is joined by author and coach Tim Stegmann to discuss his outstanding new book Xabi Campeon. Tim takes an in-depth look at Xabi's coaching journey including his personal influences, the remarkable transformation at Leverkusen and the tactical innovations
behind Alonso’s dynamic and dominant style.
What influential methodologies from Spanish football form the foundation of his philosophy? And why do coaches from the Basque Country suceed almost everywhere?
In his interview, Tim talks about his research and work around the tactical portrait of one of the most exciting coaches in world football - Xabi Alonso.
You can order a copy of Tim's book here:
https://buchshop.bod.de/xabi-campeon-tim-stegmann-9783819228698
We are excited to team up with Soccer Coach Weekly for this episode. Since 2006, they’ve helped over 50,000 coaches, parents, and teachers around the world — and now they’ve redesigned everything with U.S. volunteer coaches in mind.
Each week, you’ll get proven practice plans, fun small-sided games, and coaching advice that’s easy to use, right off your phone or laptop.
Modern Soccer Coach listeners get 50% off a full year of premium access with the code GARY50. Click below to take advantage of the offer!
www.soccercoachweekly.net/scw-usa#utm_…=US+campaign
( if this link doesn't work use this link instead: soccercoachweekly.net/scw-usa )
Gary is joined by Director of Football and Head Coach at Alliance United and University of Toronto, Ilya Orlov.
In this interview, Ilya delves into the intricate background of his innovative football ideas, providing a comprehensive overview that is deeply rooted in the principles of the Football Theory approach.
He articulates how this theoretical framework serves as a foundation for his understanding of the game, emphasizing its significance in shaping modern football strategies.
We are excited to team up with Soccer Coach Weekly for this episode. Since 2006, they’ve helped over 50,000 coaches, parents, and teachers around the world — and now they’ve redesigned everything with U.S. volunteer coaches in mind.
Each week, you’ll get proven practice plans, fun small-sided games, and coaching advice that’s easy to use, right off your phone or laptop.
Modern Soccer Coach listeners get 50% off a full year of premium access with the code GARY50. Click below to take advantage of the offer!
https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/scw-usa#utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=MODERN+Soccer+Coach&utm_campaign=USA&utm_id=US+campaign
( if this link doesn't work use this link instead: https://soccercoachweekly.net/scw-usa )
Gary is joined by Adi Viveash, who recently joined Middlesbrough first team coaching staff and also spent eight years at Chelsea as assistant Academy and assistant reserve team coach before being named Under-18 manager in July 2011. He was promoted to development squad manager in 2014, which saw him lead Chelsea’s Under-21s. During his time at Chelsea, among the players Adi had a key hand in developing were Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount and Reece James. His departure from the Blues was confirmed in May 2017 but two months later he was back in work having been named assistant manager at Coventry City. In this interview, Adi gives a unique perspective on life at Chelsea, how the game has changed in the last 10 years, the variables that coaches must take into consideration, how coaches manage elite level players who are on the verge of the first team, plus the difference between first team coaching and development.
An extra special thanks to SportsLab360 for teaming up with us on this episode. Since 2016 they've been helping thousands of coaches empower their players to improve their Soccer IQ and decision-making on the pitch. It's one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get more out of your team. We have a special offer for MSC listeners at the halfway point of the interview!
Click below to check them out:
https://sportslab360.com/
Gary is joined by Coastal Carolina University head coach, Jo Chubb, to discuss the progress that the team has made in recent years and where she is targeting to evolve for the upcoming fall season. Pre-season preparation is often focused around the physical side of the game, but Jo believes that the tactical and individual development areas must take center stage in order to compete at the elite level of college soccer. Jo also discusses how she has used player feedback to facilitate ownership of the process, plus how she delegates and works alongside her staff to make sure that their contribution is valued and maximized.
We are excited to team up with Soccer Coach Weekly for this episode. Since 2006, they’ve
helped over 50,000 coaches, parents, and teachers around the world — and now they’ve redesigned everything with U.S. volunteer coaches in mind. Each week, you’ll get proven practice plans, fun small-sided games, and coaching advice that’s easy to use, right off your phone or laptop. Modern Soccer Coach listeners get 50% off a full year of premium access with the code GARY50. Click below to take advantage of the offer!
https://bit.ly/44YfI55
Gary is joined by Academy Director and 1st team coach at Chicago City FC, Conor Walsh. They discuss Conor's experience at the Barca academy, his approach to personal development, how coach and player development align, and the north American player development model.
Listen to Conor interviewing Gary on The Lowdown Podcast below:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lowdown/id1553685531?i=1000718893788
Gary is joined by Laurent Courtois to talk about the details behind his back 3 system. Laurent was most recently head coach at CF Montreal (MLS) and has also worked at Columbus Crew 2 and LA Galaxy. In this interview he talks about:
- Balancing patience with verticality
- When freedom enters attacking principles versus structure
- Player profiles of each position
- Training flow and planning
Please check out SportsLab360 below:
https://sportslab360.com/
Join MSC Insider Here:
modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions
Gary is joined by Ruben Santos to discuss how to align set-piece frameworks and training into the Game Model. Ruben has worked at a number of Portuguese clubs including CD Trofense, FC Porto, and Torreesnse. His presentation for MSC is around "dividing Set-Pieces into Sub-Phases, the aim is not to remove the complexity of Football but to create a Conceptual Framework to engage with that complexity more effectively"
He also believes that "we can view these Sub-Phases as Fractal in nature, from Set-Pieces in particular, but also, from the Game as a whole. In this sense, dividing them is not reductionist, it’s integrative."
Read Slawomir Morawski's Article FREE Below:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/post/guest-article-the-art-of-first-touch-collecting-information-in-football
Gary is joined by Analyst at Bolton Wanderers Football Club and coach Slawomir Morawski to discuss the first touch in football. Slawomir argues that first touch is not just a technical action, but instead a cognitive one where decision making dictates so much. He discusses the most effective ways to teach this and also some traditional coaching methods that may be out-dated with this approach.
Join MSC Insider Below:
https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions
Check Out Sportslab360 Below:
https://sportslab360.com/
Gary is joined by Professor, Soccermatician and co-founder of Twelve, David Sumpter. He has worked with some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona and Ajax, and his company Twelve are helping support professional clubs all around the world with data solutions. David's approach is certainly unique. He has studied and researched the behavior of birds and fish as it relates to football tactics. He also has looked at scanning behavior and measuring motion, cues, co-ordination and decision making. This interview is guaranteed to make you think outside the box!
Please leave a comment if you enjoy it!
Join MSC Insider For Exclusive Content:
https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions
Gary takes a trip to Atlanta to watch Lionel Messi live for the first time. He talks to Chicago City FC Academy Director and 1st team head coach, Conor Walsh about the impact of Messi, the tactical work of Luis Enrique and the player profile of Cole Palmer.
Join MSC Insider Here: https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions
Gary is joined by Coventry City Head of Recruitment, Dean Austin to discuss the current landscape of player development in England. The rise of the game at the highest level is potentially impacting the youth game and Dean gives his expert opinion why. He also discusses his role as Head of Recruitment at Coventry and talks Deadline Day, role of Data, and importance of Processes!
Gary is joined by Andreas Schumacher to talk about his new book, 'Two Versus One' and the complexity of coaching attacking football. Andre has written the book alongside Bernhard Peters and is challenging coaches to get into more detail and context when coaching teams to score goals.
Andreas has a masters degree in Sports Science and has worked at a number of professional clubs including Hamburger SV, VfB Stuttgart, and St. Louis City SC.
You can order a copy of the book below:
https://www.amazon.com/TWO-VERSUS-ONE-Strong-Decision-Makers/dp/B0F6PJ6N33/ref=sr_1_1?crid=APUJI6V6DMKO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7gBqIGhQ1P5SP6Mm89g59njE-mOwXTysqhbd7cVAJvBBLTeA2XyS0uZfYmWYhGmuo7RTlK5vDWDRq1rr08toFP3GFzhgWeGaHrG53BM91vNZIZI0iZCiISD1Ya0MSSLmuP86m6NkCllMC0uhBEe99to8Ig0KQ01E1mKOTtsVjNQZ1S0qMPkV5eR-3TQyrsh12ts2hyANqmOetmXPVAt6yDt1j584d1Yx1iMN9Gb7GHM.m1D-0d3IQbBfHtJhXKH3DP0Y_LYVWQyHa6WNSXVDoR8&dib_tag=se&keywords=two+versus+one&qid=1750188112&sprefix=two+versus+one%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1
Gary travels to Ipswich Town to speak with assistant coach Lee Grant (since then he's been appointed head coach at Huddersfield Town) to talk about his unique journey in the game, plus his insights to individual development. Lee was a pro goalkeeper at Manchester United and then joined Kieran McKenna's staff as a forwards coach, before recently taking the job at Huddersfield.
Player development is often associated with the youth game, but Lee explains how the staff at Ipswich approach the detail and how elements like science, data, analysis and psychology are incorporated along the way. Phenomenal insight and an inspiring journey!!
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good listen