Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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.

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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.

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What should success at the World Cup actually mean for US Soccer?

Following the USA's impressive knockout victory over Bosnia, Gary Curneen steps back from the tactics to explore a bigger question: what kind of legacy could this World Cup leave behind?

Is success simply about more kids playing the game, or should it be measured by something deeper—a stronger football culture, better coaching, improved player development, and a growing tactical identity?

In this episode, Gary discusses:

Why participation alone isn't enough
The difference between growing the game and improving the game
What has impressed him most about Mauricio Pochettino's US team
Why tactical flexibility could become the defining legacy of this generation
What coaches can do to build on the momentum of the World Cup

Watch our full tactical breakdown of USA vs Bosnia on the Modern Soccer Coach YouTube channel and join the conversation.

What do you think should be the legacy of this World Cup for US Soccer? Let us know in the comments.

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What separates the best teams in the world from everyone else?

According to coach educator Bernat Mosquera, it might not be possession, pressing, or formations—it might be their ability to control the rhythm of a game.

In this episode, taken from our Modern Soccer Coach TV World Cup livestream, Bernat and Gary dive into one of the most overlooked concepts in football: tempo management. They discuss why some teams thrive in chaos, why others need control, and how coaches can help players recognize when to speed the game up and when to slow it down.

The conversation also explores:

⚽ Why Argentina, Spain, and Brazil manage tempo so effectively
⚽ The balance between risk and control in possession
⚽ How culture influences playing style and decision-making
⚽ Why England may be better in transition than against a low block
⚽ The impact of substitutions and game rhythm in youth and college soccer
⚽ Practical ideas for coaches looking to develop more intelligent teams

If you're interested in the tactical side of the game beyond formations and systems, this is a fascinating discussion on one of football's most important—and least discussed—topics.

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