The Dream Factory Podcast

Ryan Baldi, author of The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's Academies, hosts a weekly podcast in which he explores a youth-football-related theme each week with a guest from the world of youth football and elite football academies. The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's Academies is available now - amazon.co.uk/dp/1913538397

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Episodes

Alfred Galustian: Culture, Coaching and Coerver – a Global View of Youth Development

Author Ryan Baldi is joined by Alfred Galustian, the co-founder of the Coerver coaching programme. Alf discusses his background and route into coaching, what he learned from influential Dutch coach Wiel Coerver, his experience of coaching around the world at some of the game's biggest clubs, and how coaching approaches have to be adapted within different cultures. You can buy Ryan's new book 'The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's Academies' here: https://amazon.co.uk/dp...

Oct 07, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Chris Ramsey: Inside the Mind of an Academy Goalkeeping Coach

Author Ryan Baldi is joined by Chris Ramsey, academy goalkeeping coach for Fulham. Chris discusses his route into coaching, his years spent with Chelsea and the challenge of working with different age groups and the women's first team, what he learned – good and bad – from some of Brazil's most historic clubs, the importance of understanding child development and his work with Fulham. You can buy Ryan's new book 'The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's Academies' here: ht...

Sep 16, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Jan Siewert: The View From Germany

Author Ryan Baldi is joined by Jan Siewert, the former Borussia Dortmund II and Huddersfield Town manager who is now the academy manager of Bundesliga club Mainz. Jan discusses his experience working with Jadon Sancho, Bayern Munich's decision to disband their U9 and U10 teams, how English academies are perceived in Germany and his own youth-development philosophy. You can buy Ryan's new book 'The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's Academies' here: https://amazon.co.uk/d...

Sep 09, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Paul Barry: The Future of the Foundation Phase

Author Ryan Baldi is joined by Paul Barry, a UEFA A Licence coach and Foundation Phase specialist who has worked for the FA, Arsenal and now Watford, to discuss whether clubs are signing players to academies too young, how to approach coaching the youngest age groups and the importance of fun, and what the future holds for the Foundation Phase. You can buy Ryan's new book 'The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's Academies' here: https://amazon.co.uk/dp/1913538397 https://...

Sep 02, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Tony Mount: The Parents' Perspective

Author Ryan Baldi is joined by Tony Mount, the father of Chelsea and England superstar Mason Mount, to discuss what it's like to be the parent of a player at an elite academy, the benefits and pitfalls of the system from a parent's perspective, and why clubs and governing bodies need to do more to prepare parents for unsolicited approaches and, potentially, offers of six-figure inducements from agents. You can buy Ryan's new book 'The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's A...

Aug 26, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Connor Rowden: B Teams and Beyond, Innovation at the U23 Level

Author Ryan Baldi is joined by youth-football expert Connor Rowden to discuss the different innovations clubs are employing to narrow the gap between late-stage academy football and the senior game, from B teams to player-coaches and more. You can pre-order Ryan's new book 'The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's Academies' here: https://amazon.co.uk/dp/1913538397 https://www.bookdepository.com/Dream-Factory-Ryan-Baldi/9781913538392 (free international shipping) https://u...

Aug 19, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Adam Newson: Breaking Through at Chelsea

Author Ryan Baldi is joined by Adam Newson, Football.London's Chelsea reporter, to discuss the difficult step young players face in progressing from the academy level into their club's first team, where Chelsea's youngsters have succeeded and failed in this endeavour in recent years and what the club can do to ensure a steadier stream of academy graduates are given first-team opportunities. You can pre-order Ryan's new book 'The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's Academi...

Aug 12, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Jon Pepper: A Day in the Life of an Academy Manager

Author Ryan Baldi is joined by Jon Pepper, Burnley's former academy manager, to discuss his career and the role of an academy manager. You can pre-order Ryan's new book 'The Dream Factory: Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football's Academies' here: https://amazon.co.uk/dp/1913538397 https://www.bookdepository.com/Dream-Factory-Ryan-Baldi/9781913538392 (free international shipping) https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-dream-factory-inside-the-make-or-break-world-of-football-s-academies/97819135383...

Aug 05, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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