Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary is joined once again by Joop Oosterveld, who recently took on the role of Head Coach with Lech Poznań II in Poland. Joop breaks down his approach to session design and explains how coaches can place individual development at the center of the training process while still working within a team environment.

The conversation explores how IDPs can live inside game-based training, why Joop believes 85% of a session should include attacking, defending and transition moments, and how coaches can manipulate numbers, spaces, rules and constraints to challenge different individuals within the same exercise. Joop also discusses intensity, physical development, competitiveness, keeping session design simple and creating problems that allow players to find their own solutions.

A fascinating conversation for coaches looking to connect individual player development with the realities of team training.

How do elite coaches actually teach a game model?

In this episode, Gary sits down with Tyler Smaha, Assistant Coach at the University of Kansas, to explore how one of the top women's soccer programs in the country develops player understanding, decision-making, and tactical clarity.

Rather than simply discussing principles of play, Tyler explains how Kansas connects its game model to every part of the learning process—from video analysis and positional blueprints to training design and individual development.

We discuss:

⚽ How to build a game model from observation, not imitation
⚽ Teaching decision-making instead of memorizing movements
⚽ Creating clarity without restricting creativity
⚽ Connecting video analysis directly to training
⚽ Developing positional blueprints for every position
⚽ Using evidence and data to reinforce coaching ideas
⚽ Individual development within a collective game model
⚽ Lessons from the German UEFA coaching pathway

Whether you're coaching youth players, working in the college game, or developing your own coaching philosophy, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can immediately apply to your environment.

If you enjoyed the episode, please Like, Subscribe, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway.

#soccercoach #footballcoach #gamemodel #coacheducation #playerdevelopment #decisionmaking #soccertraining #footballtraining #modernsoccercoach

Player development starts long before players step onto the pitch.

In this episode, Gary Curneen sits down with Herman Ottosson, Technical Director at Mjällby AIF Academy in Sweden, to explore one of the most innovative coach development environments in European football.

Rather than relying on rigid curriculums or copied training sessions, Herman explains how Mjällby develops adaptable coaches, creates ownership with players, and builds an academy culture centered around reflection, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Topics include:

Why coaches should design sessions around their own players—not YouTube drills.
Building development environments instead of chasing results.
Relative freedom versus fixed curriculums.
The Ballon d'Or Project and player ownership.
Video feedback for coaches and players.
Creating honest conversations through IDPs.
Coach education systems that actually change behavior.
Why the best academies develop coaches first.

Whether you're a technical director, academy coach, or club leader, this episode is packed with practical ideas that can transform your environment.

New MSC Training Session Resources:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/shop

What does it really take to build a game model from in a new culture?

In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen sits down with Andy Thomson, First Team Coach at Beijing Guoan, to explore how he and Nick Montgomery have built a clear football identity in one of the most demanding environments in world football.

We dive deep into:

Building a game model in a completely new culture
Creating simple, repeatable playing principles
Why coach behaviour shapes team identity
High pressing and possession without overcomplicating the game
Session design that reinforces your playing philosophy
Why "the best fitness coach is the football coach"
Balancing tactics, physical preparation and player development
The importance of brilliant basics over coaching jargon
Advice for coaches looking to reach the professional game

This is a practical conversation for coaches at every level who want to build a team with a clear identity and understand how elite coaches turn ideas into performances.

👍 If you'd like Andy to return and break down one of his training sessions, make sure to LIKE this video and leave a comment below.

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What should a national team actually stand for?

Following Australia's 2026 World Cup campaign, one of the biggest debates in football resurfaced: should national teams have a clear identity, and how much responsibility do federations have in shaping the next generation of players?

In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen is joined by Drew Taylor, Director of Football at Newington College in Australia, coach educator, and one of the country's leading voices in player development.

Together they explore:

⚽ Why "golden generations" are the wrong way to measure success

⚽ Whether national playing philosophies help or hinder player development

⚽ How Australia can develop more elite players

⚽ The balance between team identity and individual creativity

⚽ Why youth football often rewards systems over exceptional players

⚽ The role of coaches, parents and football culture in long-term development

This isn't just a conversation about Australia. It's a discussion every coach, academy, club and federation can learn from as they try to develop players capable of competing at the highest level.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with your coaching community.

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🎙️ Listen to the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast for more conversations with leading coaches, technical directors and player development experts from around the world.

#FootballCoaching #PlayerDevelopment #YouthFootball #CoachEducation #ModernSoccerCoach #SoccerCoaching #WorldCup #Australia #FootballDevelopment #DrewTaylor