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 levera…

Check out Jack's Game Changer online course below - https://thecoachinglab.org/pages/game-changer-2025-online-sports-coaching-courseGary 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 …

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 …

Luke Griggs, head of Headway, discusses the charity's 5-year plan.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

Look out for the side-effects!By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

Making sense of our chaotic brains.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

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 tha…

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…

The politics of brain injury.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

Our internal voice can have a stroke too!By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

Brain-computer interfaces: the future of stroke recovery.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

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 specia…

Coaches: Register for MSC Set-Piece Webinar Below:https://event.webinarjam.com/register/442/k3g3rbgyGary 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,…

A nationwide research and innovation project to look forward to.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

Coaches: Register for our FREE MSC Set-Piece Webinar with Michele Aragona below:https://event.webinarjam.com/register/442/k3g3rbgyThis 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 me…

Getting in the right headspace for recovery.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

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-principlesLast 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…

Visualising the structure of our brain.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

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 d…

'Do not go gentle into that good night'. Do the paperwork first.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

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-principlesGary 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 cr…

We remember all the right events. But not necessarily in the right order!By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

If you missed the latest MSC webinar on Coaching Your Back 3, watch the replay below: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/shopIn 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 Ma…

What is this podcast about? Where did that cat come from!By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

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 t…

In an era where trust deficits permeate social, economic, and political structures, the BLAUSTEIN Foundation introduces Truthum, a revolutionary Wearable Honesty Device designed to provide real-time transparency in human interactions. BLAUSTEIN Foundation is the leading strategic policy institute, think tank, and global consultancy group, focusing …

Finding the Care-Work balance.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

The world of work is a world away.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

Don't Miss Our MSC Coaching a Back 3 Webinar: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/live-webinar-coaching-a-back-3-system-effectivelyGary 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 als…

The other side of brain injury recovery.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

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-effectivelyWe are joined by former Queens Park academy coach, Ian McCall to discuss the Play…

This year: organise a plan to get more organised.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

MSC Special Offer Below!!https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/2025-special-offer-coach-bundleThis 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 Co…

Human Mind Immortality Technology (Excarnating) is a revolutionary technology that transcends the limitations of the human body by preserving the consciousness and neural functionality of individuals in a disembodied state, enabling humans to live, work, and contribute indefinitely in a post-biological form. BLAUSTEIN Foundation is the leading stra…

Looking back to the future.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

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 He…

The real me, still here!By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

Please coaches, if you enjoy the work can you leave a rating and a review? Thanks so much! - GaryWe 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 …

'What to do instead of having another stroke'.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

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…

By suppressing gravity on Earth within defined architectural spaces (buildings), revolutionary Ungravitate technology enables people to experience weightlessness without the need for space travel, unlocking unprecedented opportunities in residential, office, and commercial design. BLAUSTEIN Foundation is the leading strategic policy institute, thin…

Acquiring our place on The Spectrum.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

Gary is joined by Ray Power to discuss the intricacies of coaching styles and why we should potentially be a little more deliberate in the style we choose for the way we want to play. Implicit vs. Explicit Learning Styles! You can contact Ray if you would like to follow up below: [email protected]…

How Aphasia affects communication.By Josh Reed and Stephen Masters

Gary is joined by Hugo Vicente to discuss the ways that AI and Chat GPT will change football and coaching. Hugo is a UEFA PRO License coach, with over 20 years of experience in football coaching and player development across multiple countries, including Portugal, Norway, Denmark, and China. Hugo has worked with top clubs and youth academies, inclu…

The AI-Controlled Human Colony (Altergraded) concept proposes a future where artificial intelligence (AI) fully integrates with human cognition, creating self-sustaining communities of Altergraded individuals - people who have voluntarily allowed AI to take over their cognitive and decision-making functions, eliminating many of humanity’s age-old s…

We recently did our second MSC Club visit to New York Red Bulls to interview Academy Director, Sean McCafferty. Our last conversation with Sean was during lockdown in 2020, and we wanted to follow-up and get his insights on the evolution of the Red Bull system and the growth of US professional player development over the last 2-3 years. Sean was ex…

Gary is joined by one of the leaders in worldwide player development over the past 10-15 years. Romeo Jozak was a pioneer as Technical Director for Croatia and now works as Technical Director for Saudi Arabia. He also holds a UEFA PRO License and is author the phenomenal book,“CFF Development Curriculum.”In this interview, Romeo outlines the challe…

Dubai Underwater City marks a new era in urban design, where cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and human longevity coalesce into a visionary habitat beneath the waves. The world’s first submerged city is set to emerge in the Persian Gulf, just off the coast of Dubai. BLAUSTEIN Foundation is the leading strategic policy institute, thin…

Gary is joined by UEFA Pro Licensed Coach, Mick McDermott, to discuss his experience alongside Carlos Queiroz and Iran at the 2018 World Cup, managing Glentoran, and working in Saudi Arabia. Mick provides ideas and methods for coaches on navigating the hiring process and managing ownership, as well as elite level players.…