Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

Gary is joined by Joel Hansson, Head of Physical Development for U8-U14 at Hammarby in Sweden, to rethink how we approach physical development with young players.

Joel challenges the idea that youth players should simply follow scaled-down versions of adult training. The conversation between Joel and Curneen explores traditional warm-ups, developing a wider “movement toolbox,” using games and play to develop physical qualities, wrestling and contact work, speed development, the role of the gym, GPS monitoring, and why fun and physical development don’t have to be competing ideas.

Joel also shares practical ideas for grassroots coaches working with limited time and equipment, and explains why the early years provide such an important window for players to explore movement, solve problems and develop confidence in their bodies.

A fascinating conversation for anyone working in youth soccer and asking a simple question: are we preparing young players for the future, or are we warming them up and training them like mini adults?

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High school soccer is one of the most unique — and often overlooked — environments in player development.

In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary is joined by four coaches currently working in the high school game to discuss the realities, challenges and opportunities that come with the role.

From bringing together players from different club environments and experience levels, to establishing a culture in a matter of weeks, managing playing time, dealing with demanding schedules and deciding what actually deserves valuable training time — this is a practical conversation built around real experiences and solutions.

Curneen and the coaches also discuss managing four games in a week, adapting training around fatigue, simplifying set pieces and restarts, using video analysis with young players, working with parents, and why sometimes doing less can actually have a greater impact.

Most importantly, the panel makes the case for the value of high school soccer. Beyond results and pathways, it can provide players with belonging, relationships, development and experiences that stay with them long after their final game.

⚽ Real coaches.
⚽ Real challenges.
⚽ Practical solutions.
If you coach in the high school game — or work with players who do — this conversation is for you.

Tony Colbert spent 20 years working alongside Arsène Wenger at Arsenal and is now a freelance consultant (FIFA Technical Expert), helping develop players and coaches around the world.

In this conversation, Tony shares his philosophy with Gary on technical development and explains why he believes modern coaching can sometimes neglect the technical foundations players need to perform at the highest level. We discuss purposeful repetition, two-footedness, scanning, first touch, playing forward, technical activation and why the opening 10–15 minutes of training can become a powerful development opportunity.

Tony also takes Curneen inside the Arsenal training environment under Wenger, explaining how speed, movement, technical quality and creativity were developed every day, and why those habits helped produce some of the most fluid attacking football of that era.

A fascinating conversation for coaches working at every level who want to think more deeply about how we develop technique within the modern game.

In this episode of Modern Soccer Coach, Gary is joined by former England Rugby Head Coach Brian Ashton for a fascinating conversation on coaching, player development, creativity and decision-making.

Brian led England to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final and has spent decades working across elite sport, including experiences within Premier League football. He shares the lessons that have shaped his approach to developing players and why he believes great coaching is about much more than simply giving instructions.

The conversation explores the difference between coaching and interfering, why players need freedom alongside responsibility and discipline, how coaches can develop better decision-makers, and why individual development should remain at the heart of the coaching process.

From preparing a team for a World Cup Final to helping young players learn how to think for themselves, Brian offers Curneen a brilliant perspective on what genuine player development looks like.

A must-listen for coaches who want to develop intelligent, adaptable and creative players.

Antal Vergeer is a Learning & Development Specialist with the KNVB (Dutch Football Association), working in coach development and education. Before returning to the Netherlands, Antal spent almost seven years working within U.S. Soccer, giving him a unique perspective on two very different approaches to developing coaches and players.

In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Curneen sits down with Antal Vergeer to explore the ideas, culture and thinking behind Dutch coach and player development.

Antal shares fascinating insight with Gary into the Dutch approach to the game — from the traditional desire to play attacking, dominant football to why coaches must ultimately adapt their philosophy to the players and environment in front of them.

The conversation also dives into developing creativity and decision-making in young players, why coaches can become too controlling, creating better learning environments, innovation within academies, and why investing in coach development is essential if clubs want to produce better players.

Antal also challenges some traditional approaches to coach education and explains why coaches should be held accountable for their own development in exactly the same way we expect players to be.

A brilliant conversation for coaches, coach developers and technical leaders interested in Dutch football, player development and creating environments where both players and coaches can thrive.