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!

Training Intensity Has To Be Higher Than The Game! - Mark Briggs Interview

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. 

Liverpool FC's Academy Culture & Analysis Journey To Saudi Pro League with Ray Shearwood

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

Technique, Risk & Player Development: Inside ACF Fiorentina Youth Methodology with Mirko Mazzantini

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!


Development Destroyer? Does the Thirds of Play Model Impact Creativity in Football Development with Jake Pickles

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! 

"The Current College Landscape is Terrifying!" - College Soccer Today with Jack Winter

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. 

Improving Player Engagement and Challenging Coach Behaviors at Youth Level with Jack Rolfe

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

Creating a 'Captivating' Youth Soccer Environment with Ashley Gumbrell

Gary is joined by Rui Faria this week. Rui had seventeen years working with Jose Mourinho at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United with phenomenal success during this time. He is credited with the tactical methodology that has had a dramatic impact on the world of coaching. Here he discusses:

- What is the REAL starting point for a tactical methodology
- How did Rui and Mourinho create different styles in variety of cultures, but keep consistent
- Has coaching lost it's way alongside science?
- Why did he take away GPS monitoring at Manchester United?

And much more!!

Please leave a rating and a review if you enjoy it!

Rui Faria on Tactical Methodology, Working with Mourinho, and Current State of the Game!

Join the MSC Insider for more Exclusive Content: 
https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions

Gary recently travelled over to England to meet Dan Micciche for a coffee and a chat about the progress they have made in the area of player development. In addition to his passion around the game, Dan has worked in some outstanding environment's (England FA, Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton) and shares his views on the following: 

- Impact of the 2014 England FA's DNA 
- Teaching Winning Alongside Development
- Managing Individual Success in a Team
- Facilitating Player Buy-In to the Process

And much, more! 

If you are passionate about player development, you will love this one! 

How to Develop Creative and Independent Elite Players with Dan Micciche

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!!

Lee Grant Journey: From Man Utd Goalkeeper to Forwards Coach.... To Head Coach!

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

New tracks tagged #gary curneen