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/
Jul 24, 2025•54 min
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...
Jul 17, 2025•46 min
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 coachi...
Jul 10, 2025•46 min
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 b...
Jul 02, 2025•58 min
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.
Jun 30, 2025•39 min
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!
Jun 26, 2025•54 min
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.amazo...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 8 min
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...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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 Alon...
Jun 05, 2025•59 min
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 ...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 5 min
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 d...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 5 min
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 ...
May 08, 2025•58 min
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!
May 06, 2025•1 hr 6 min
On the recent Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, we spoke to Dr. Konstantin Sonkin about the role of neuro training in the world of elite player development. Dr. Sonkin is a DeepTech entrepreneur with a blend of business acumen and technical expertise in Neuroscience and AI. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of i-BrainTech, a SportsTech company that is leveraging the power of applied science and neuro training to radically enhance cognitive functioning, unlock human potential, and solve real-world issues. ...
Apr 24, 2025•47 min
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!
Apr 14, 2025•55 min
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...
Apr 10, 2025•31 min
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...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 13 min
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 p...
Mar 18, 2025•52 min
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 culture' that is built around trust, honesty, passion for the game, and growth mindset. He discusses...
Mar 11, 2025•52 min
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 coaches going to prepare for this? There is no one better equipped in world to talk about this topic th...
Mar 06, 2025•46 min
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, including sending youth players to a game with no coach to drive independent decision makers!
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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 research article on it also. In this discussion, Kevin covers: - Player confidence and consistency in tac...
Feb 19, 2025•52 min
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. His passion for soccer has not only driven his business ventures but also inspired his work as a For...
Feb 10, 2025•43 min
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 this interview, Yiannis does an outstanding job in relating complexity to daily tasks of coaches and a...
Feb 03, 2025•44 min
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 how learning changes as players progress in their development. If you enjoy the interview, please lea...
Jan 22, 2025•40 min
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 a number of benefits around having a games-based approach to training sessions, but have we looked ...
Jan 16, 2025•45 min
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 international level, Conor has experienced the game at the highest level and shares insights on what s...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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-page/todd-beane-guest-webinar-high-school-coaches-2021 Check out TOVO Methodology course that starts Ma...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min
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 La Liga course opened up the doors for him to work at one of the best academies in Europe. In this in...
Dec 09, 2024•50 min
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://modern-coach-hub.teachable.com/p/final-third-actions You can follow Bernat here: www.linkedin.com/in/b...
Dec 03, 2024•34 min
