Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

Gary Curneen
  • 4.8 (270)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. Stop separating technique from decision-making with Bas Van Baar (FC Twente Academy)

    8h ago

    Stop separating technique from decision-making with Bas Van Baar (FC Twente Academy)

    Check out MSC Online Courses this summer: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/analysis Dutch football has long been admired for its ability to develop intelligent players, but Gary Curneen's recent conversation with FC Twente and Heracles Academy Head of Football Development Bas van Baar offered a fascinating insight into how that process actually works. Rather than focusing on patterns, formations, or rehearsed movements, their academy is built around developing players who can recognize situations, make decisions, and solve problems independently. It is a philosophy rooted in principles rather than prescriptions. One of the most thought-provoking ideas from the discussion was the belief that technique should never be separated from decision-making. Bas describes football as a constant cycle of taking information, making a decision, executing an action, and evaluating the outcome. As a result, much of FC Twente's training takes place through games rather than isolated drills, ensuring players are continually exposed to the realities of football. Even their youth development pathway reflects this approach, with younger players focusing on individual principles before gradually progressing towards more complex tactical understanding. The conversation also explored player development beyond the training ground, including managing late developers, individual development plans, parent education, and building an academy culture that prioritizes long-term growth. Whether you coach in a grassroots environment, high school soccer, or an elite academy, there are practical lessons throughout this discussion that challenge conventional thinking and offer a fresh perspective on developing smarter footballers.

    57 min
  2. Why Australia Is Producing Better Players Again with Cam Jones

    6d ago

    Why Australia Is Producing Better Players Again with Cam Jones

    In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen sits down with Cam Jones — former professional player, current Western Sydney Wanderers academy coach, and founder of Spark Football — to explore the current state of player development in Australia. From coming through the Australian “golden generation” era alongside names like Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka to now helping shape the next wave of talent, Cam brings a unique perspective on where the Australian game has been and where it is heading. This conversation dives deep into: Individual development within team environments Why 1v1 training alone is not enough Technical vs intellectual player development Pattern recognition and decision-making The role of culture in producing elite players Australia’s changing development landscape Mindset, resilience, and modern player behavior How elite academies can better develop the next generation Cam also discusses the emergence of Australia’s newest talents, the lessons learned from the 2006 generation, and why he believes the country is beginning to produce more intelligent and adaptable footballers again. A brilliant discussion for coaches interested in youth development, academy football, football intelligence, and the future of the game. Subscribe for more elite coaching conversations, tactical breakdowns, and World Cup content on Modern Soccer Coach TV.

    53 min
  3. 10 Years at City: Pep Guardiola’s Legacy on Modern Coaches

    May 26

    10 Years at City: Pep Guardiola’s Legacy on Modern Coaches

    Check out MSC Online Courses below: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/analysis For 10 years, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City became one of the defining teams of modern football. But beyond the trophies and performances, Pep’s greatest impact may have been on the coaches watching from the sidelines. In this MSC Breakdown, Gary Curneen looks back at Guardiola’s legacy through interviews, press conference moments, reflections, and soundbites from his time at Manchester City. Organized into key themes and ideas, this episode explores how Pep influenced coaching conversations around positional play, leadership, player development, intensity, creativity, and the evolution of the modern game. This is not a tactical clip breakdown. It is a reflection on the ideas, philosophy, and moments that shaped a coaching era. Topics include: Pep’s philosophy and leadership The evolution of modern coaching Building elite standards and culture Creativity, control, and positional play Pressure, intensity, and expectations Pep’s influence on a generation of coaches Subscribe for more coaching conversations, tactical analysis, and elite football content from Modern Soccer Coach.

    37 min
  4. Brazil Legend Silas on Maradona, Creativity & the World Cup

    May 25

    Brazil Legend Silas on Maradona, Creativity & the World Cup

    Follow MSC World Cup coverage here: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernSoccerCoachTV Check out Silas' book here: https://beyondsuccess.info/book Brazil legend Silas joins Gary Curneen for an incredible conversation on Brazilian creativity, Maradona, the pressure of wearing Brazil’s famous #10 shirt, and why modern football has changed the game forever. Silas reflects on playing for Brazil at the 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cups, facing Diego Maradona, life at Sampdoria during the golden era of Serie A, and what made Brazilian players different from the rest of the world. We also discuss: The truth behind Brazilian creativity Why football in Brazil feels like a religion Maradona’s iconic moment against Brazil in 1990 The evolution of the #10 role Why modern football has become more tactical and physical Carlo Ancelotti and Brazil’s World Cup chances Coaching, player freedom, and youth development The pressures of coaching in Brazil This is a fascinating insight into Brazilian football culture from one of the game’s great playmakers. #Brazil #WorldCup #Maradona #FootballPodcast #SoccerPodcast #BrazilFootball #SerieA #ModernSoccerCoach #Ancelotti #Ronaldinho #FootballCoaching

    40 min
  5. Game Day Coaching Behaviors with Ashley Gumbrell | Touchline Culture, Emotion & Player Development

    May 20

    Game Day Coaching Behaviors with Ashley Gumbrell | Touchline Culture, Emotion & Player Development

    Check Out ‘Performance Football Coaching’ at St Mary’s University below: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/performance-football-coaching What impact do coaching behaviors really have on players during competition? In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Ashley Gumbrell joins us to discuss one of the most overlooked areas in coach education — game day coaching behavior. From emotional touchlines and sideline personas to silence, instruction, referee interactions, and player development, this conversation dives deep into how coaches influence the game from the sidelines. We also discuss: Why touchline behavior becomes contagious The difference between grassroots, academy, and elite environments Emotional control and self-awareness for coaches Should coaches sit in the stands instead of the bench? How clubs are beginning to code and analyze coaching behaviors The influence of elite coaches on youth environments Ashley’s groundbreaking PhD research into in-game coaching behavior A fascinating conversation for coaches at every level of the game. Huge thanks to Ashley for joining us again on the podcast

    45 min
  6. Inside PSV: Why Dutch Development Still Leads the World with Aloys Wijnker

    May 18

    Inside PSV: Why Dutch Development Still Leads the World with Aloys Wijnker

    What does one of Europe’s most historic development clubs actually believe about player development in 2026? In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen travels to the Netherlands to sit down with PSV Academy Director Aloys Wijnker for an in-depth conversation on the philosophy, methodology, and environment behind one of football’s great talent factories. From Ronaldo Nazário and Romário to Arjen Robben and Cody Gakpo, PSV has produced and developed generations of elite players. But this conversation goes far beyond history. Aloys breaks down: Why PSV prioritizes autonomy and decision-making The danger of over-coaching young players Why youth development is not about winning games How coaches can create ownership and responsibility The balance between tactics, creativity, and technique Why isolated technical training misses the point The role of psychology, video, and data in modern academies What he learned from coaching in the United States How PSV structures development from U10 to the first team Why great academies start with a clear football identity This is one of the deepest conversations we’ve had on modern player development and coach education. If you’re a youth coach, academy director, technical leader, or simply passionate about football development, this episode is packed with ideas that will challenge the way you think about coaching. Subscribe for more episodes in our Netherlands Football Development Series.

    44 min
  7. Stop Copying Pro Environments | John Murphy on Coaching Challenges, High School & Player Development

    May 14

    Stop Copying Pro Environments | John Murphy on Coaching Challenges, High School & Player Development

    Check out MSC online courses below: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/analysis What happens when coaches try to copy elite professional environments without understanding the players actually in front of them? John’s coached across multiple levels of the game, including more than a decade in Major League Soccer, over fourteen years as a collegiate head coach, and extensive work as a U.S. Soccer coach educator. But what makes this conversation really fascinating is the work he’s now doing away from the touchline. In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen sits down with longtime coach educator and former professional coach John Murphy for a deep discussion on modern coaching, high school soccer, player development, coach education, and the changing realities of working with today’s athletes. The conversation explores: Why coaching feels harder today The danger of copying pro environments High school soccer in America Coach education and player understanding Periodization and modern methodology Parenting culture in youth sports American vs European coaching culture The importance of context, empathy, and communication Why coaches must “coach the players they have” John Murphy also discusses his doctoral research examining modern coach education and how coaches can better support players beyond simply tactics and performance. This is one of the most honest and thought-provoking coaching conversations we’ve had on the channel.

    1h 3m
  8. Didier Chambaron: Why Coaching Courses Aren’t Enough

    May 7

    Didier Chambaron: Why Coaching Courses Aren’t Enough

    Check Out ‘Performance Football Coaching’ at St Mary’s University below: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/performance-football-coaching Director of Coach Education at U.S. Soccer, Didier Chambaron joins Gary Curneen on Modern Soccer Coach Podcast for one of the most important conversations we’ve had around coach education, player development, and the future of coaching culture in the United States. As Director of Coach Education at U.S. Soccer, Didier shares his thoughts on: - Why attending coaching courses alone is not enough - The difference between coach education and coach development - Creating player-centered environments - Building learning cultures inside clubs - The role of humility in elite coaching This conversation goes far beyond licenses and curriculum. It gets into identity, leadership, environment design, and what truly impacts player development. A huge thank you to Didier for such an open and thoughtful discussion. Make sure you subscribe for more elite coaching conversations, tactical breakdowns, and player development content. A huge thank you as well to St Mary’s University for supporting the episode. Their fully distance learning Master’s in Performance Football Coaching gives coaches the opportunity to continue developing at a high level while still working in the game day-to-day.

    1h 4m
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4.8
out of 5
270 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Gary Curneen
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    374
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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