Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

Gary Curneen
  • 4.8 (257)
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Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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

    3D AGO

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

    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!

    55 min
  2. Technique, Risk & Player Development: Inside ACF Fiorentina Youth Methodology with Mirko Mazzantini

    6D AGO

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

    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

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

    MAR 25

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

    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.

    1h 13m
  4. Training Intensity Has To Be Higher Than The Game! - Mark Briggs Interview

    MAR 18

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

    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!

    52 min
  5. What Does a Pro Level Director of Coaching REALLY Do? With Joshua Neff

    MAR 11

    What Does a Pro Level Director of Coaching REALLY Do? With Joshua Neff

    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 the unique environment at Wellington Phoenix and how the coaches work alongside one another to help the players and the club progress. Having also experienced MLS academies, Joshua has some some words of advice for coaches in the US who are working through the sometimes challenging role of a Director of Coaching and where you can get high quality professional support.

    52 min
  6. How 3v3 Can Change the Youth Game & Reaction to English FA's Decision with Peter Prickett

    MAR 6

    How 3v3 Can Change the Youth Game & Reaction to English FA's Decision with Peter Prickett

    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 than Peter Prickett. He has written extensively on this subject in his best-selling 3v3 Methodology books, as well as supporting coaches and working on the grass himself. In this week's MSC Podcast, we speak to Peter about the details of the announcement and look at ways that clubs and coaches can maximize this opportunity to make a difference in youth development.

    46 min
  7. The Player is a Product of the Environment - Life at Chelsea U21's with Mark Robinson

    FEB 27

    The Player is a Product of the Environment - Life at Chelsea U21's with Mark Robinson

    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!

    1h 1m
  8. What Happened to the Mavericks?! Structure vs. Freedom with Kevin Nicol

    FEB 19

    What Happened to the Mavericks?! Structure vs. Freedom with Kevin Nicol

    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 tactical approach from coach - Ability of coaches to teach detail in a simplistic concise manner. - Importance of connecting before teaching - Facilitating a degree of freedom within the tactical framework - Managing coach and player collaboration And much more!

    52 min
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4.8
out of 5
257 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    310
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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