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-effectively We are joined by former Queens Park academy coach, Ian McCall to discuss the Play-Practice-Play methodology. Of course, there are a number of benefits around having a games-based approach to training sessions, but have we looked enough at the potential drawbacks or ways that this approach has been misinterpreted? Ian provides ideas and insights around best practice and aligning session design to holistic development and a club ethos.

MSC Special Offer Below!! https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/2025-special-offer-coach-bundle This 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 County and Queens Park Rangers, plus 40 caps at international level, Conor has experienced the game at the highest level and shares insights on what separates the best players. Also, there are a couple of twists in the conversation. Firstly, as a pro player Conor utilized and benefited from an individual coach that made an immediate improvement on his game. Now, as Conor starts to look ahead into the future, he's already started his Elite Attacking Coach program where he's supporting the next generation of attacking players. Conor discusses this and much more!

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 Here: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/todd-beane-guest-webinar-high-school-coaches-2021 Check out TOVO Methodology course that starts March 1: https://tovoacademy.com/product/tovo-v1-course-tovo-methodology/ Sign-Up for TOVO newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/tovoacademy.com/tovo-newsletter

Please coaches, if you enjoy the work can you leave a rating and a review? Thanks so much! - Gary We 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 change of heart and a brave step into a Spanish La Liga course opened up the doors for him to work at one of the best academies in Europe. In this interview, Michael discusses his journey, as well as sharing the insights to academy methodology at Espanyol.

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 Bernat's new Final Third Course here: https://modern-coach-hub.teachable.com/p/final-third-actions You can follow Bernat here: www.linkedin.com/in/bernat-mosquera/

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]

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, including Boavista, Benfica and Braga. He is also passionate about ways that innovative technology and software can solve coaching problems to help advance team and player development. Register for Hugo's FREE webinar: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/421/pqnqlhry

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 extremely generous with both his time and sharing the club methodology as he discussed the playing principles at youth level, coaching and staff profiles, leadership in a forward thinking organization, and the challenges of coaching a true pressing style.

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 challenges for coaches and youth environments in the United States, as well suggesting potential solutions to progress the development of both coaches and players. Looking for new coach support options: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/msc-1-to-1-mentoring-package

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.

Last week we took our first MSC road trip to visit Richie Ryan at FC Cincinnati Academy. Richie has a fascinating football journey, coming through Sunderland's academy system and then making his first team debut in the big derby game with bitter rivals, Newcastle United. After stops in Belgium, League of Ireland and the US, Richie recently moved onto the coaching side of the game working at FC Tulsa (USL) and now at FC Cincinnati. In the interview, we speak to Richie about the environment at FC Cincinnati, the support that players need in the modern game, plus his unique experience playing under Alessandro Nesta!