Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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

    1H AGO

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

    2D AGO

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

    6D AGO

    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
  4. 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
  5. The Mental Side of Coaching Starts on the Grass with Dan Abrahams

    MAY 5

    The Mental Side of Coaching Starts on the Grass with Dan Abrahams

    Download MSC FREE Attacking Final 3rd PDF here: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/msc-6-final-third-attacking-exercises In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen sits down with Dan Abrahams to explore one of the most important — and often misunderstood — areas in coaching: performance psychology. Dan also talks about his new book: Compete and get into into what really drives player performance under pressure, why elite players can still struggle mentally, and how coaches can actually develop mindset within their training sessions — not in meetings, not in classrooms, but on the grass. We also dive into: – Why fear and pressure are part of elite environments – How mindset impacts decision-making and execution – The difference between performance and mentality – Practical ways to coach psychology during sessions – Why engagement is the starting point for everything This is a conversation for coaches who want to move beyond just tactics and start developing players who can truly compete.

    1 hr
  6. Aaron Danks - From FA to Bayern Munich: Success Leaves Clues

    MAY 4

    Aaron Danks - From FA to Bayern Munich: Success Leaves Clues

    This week on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, we revisit a 2019 conversation with Aaron Danks — now an assistant coach at Bayern Munich. This episode was recorded years ago, but when you listen back, what stands out is how early these ideas were being discussed. We get into specialist coaching, collaboration across staff, and how top environments are designed to develop players — not just run sessions. Aaron also breaks down his thinking around clarity vs chaos in training, and why the best players thrive when they’re given both structure and freedom. There’s also a strong focus on coach development — challenging norms, thinking differently, and being willing to step outside traditional methods to move forward in the game. This isn’t just about tactics. It’s about how elite coaches think. Inside the episode: – The rise of specialist coaching and why roles matter – How top environments break down silos between staff – Clarity vs chaos: finding the right balance in training – Why enjoyment and environment still drive elite performance – Talent needs perspective: managing modern players – Using analysis and data to challenge coaching ideas If you’re serious about developing as a coach, this is a conversation that will make you think. Make sure to subscribe for more weekly coaching content from Modern Soccer Coach.

    40 min
  7. Glenn Crooks - Inside Elite US Coaching & Culture: What Top Coaches Do Differently

    APR 30

    Glenn Crooks - Inside Elite US Coaching & Culture: What Top Coaches Do Differently

    This week on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen is joined by Glenn Crooks. A former Division 1 college coach, MLS commentator for New York City FC, and host of the Coaching Academy on SiriusXM, Glenn brings a unique perspective shaped by years inside the game. His new book, Put It on Frame, draws from conversations with some of the top coaching minds and forms the foundation for a discussion that goes well beyond tactics. This episode gets into the reality of coaching at a deeper level — what actually separates top coaches, how they think, and how they lead. It’s a conversation about clarity, personality, and managing people in environments that are constantly evolving. Gary and Glenn also explore the current state of US coaching and player development — a landscape that continues to grow, but is still searching for a clear identity at the highest levels of the game. In this episode, we cover: What top coaches really do differently Why coaching is more about managing than tactics The biggest challenges in US player development Key trends shaping MLS right now What success should actually look like for the US national team If you’re serious about your coaching, this episode will challenge how you see the role and what it really demands. If you’d like to win a copy of Glenn’s book, comment “book” below. Make sure to like and subscribe for more weekly coaching content.

    50 min
  8. The Truth About High School Soccer in the U.S. with Jim Harte

    APR 29

    The Truth About High School Soccer in the U.S. with Jim Harte

    Check out MSC High School Course below: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/post/msc-launches-online-high-school-game-model-course High school soccer is often overlooked in the U.S. development landscape — but are we getting this completely wrong? In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Jim Harte shares a powerful perspective on the role of high school soccer, why it continues to thrive, and what the game might be missing by shifting too far toward club structures. We dive into: Where high school soccer sits in today’s landscape The rise of the High School Champions League Player experience vs “development” models Community, identity, and why the game still matters What coaches can actually take from this This is a conversation that challenges assumptions — and forces us to rethink what development really means. If you’re a coach working in high school, club, or both, this is one you need to hear.

    42 min
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4.8
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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
    370
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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