Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen sits down with Dan Abrahams to explore one of the most important — and often misunderstood — areas in coaching: performance psychology.

Dan also talks about his new book: Compete and get into into what really drives player performance under pressure, why elite players can still struggle mentally, and how coaches can actually develop mindset within their training sessions — not in meetings, not in classrooms, but on the grass.

We also dive into:
– Why fear and pressure are part of elite environments
– How mindset impacts decision-making and execution
– The difference between performance and mentality
– Practical ways to coach psychology during sessions
– Why engagement is the starting point for everything

This is a conversation for coaches who want to move beyond just tactics and start developing players who can truly compete.

This week on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, we revisit a 2019 conversation with Aaron Danks — now an assistant coach at Bayern Munich.

This episode was recorded years ago, but when you listen back, what stands out is how early these ideas were being discussed.

We get into specialist coaching, collaboration across staff, and how top environments are designed to develop players — not just run sessions. Aaron also breaks down his thinking around clarity vs chaos in training, and why the best players thrive when they’re given both structure and freedom.

There’s also a strong focus on coach development — challenging norms, thinking differently, and being willing to step outside traditional methods to move forward in the game.

This isn’t just about tactics.

It’s about how elite coaches think.

Inside the episode:

– The rise of specialist coaching and why roles matter
– How top environments break down silos between staff
– Clarity vs chaos: finding the right balance in training
– Why enjoyment and environment still drive elite performance
– Talent needs perspective: managing modern players
– Using analysis and data to challenge coaching ideas

If you’re serious about developing as a coach, this is a conversation that will make you think.

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This week on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen is joined by Glenn Crooks.

A former Division 1 college coach, MLS commentator for New York City FC, and host of the Coaching Academy on SiriusXM, Glenn brings a unique perspective shaped by years inside the game. His new book, Put It on Frame, draws from conversations with some of the top coaching minds and forms the foundation for a discussion that goes well beyond tactics.

This episode gets into the reality of coaching at a deeper level — what actually separates top coaches, how they think, and how they lead. It’s a conversation about clarity, personality, and managing people in environments that are constantly evolving.

Gary and Glenn also explore the current state of US coaching and player development — a landscape that continues to grow, but is still searching for a clear identity at the highest levels of the game.

In this episode, we cover:

What top coaches really do differently
Why coaching is more about managing than tactics
The biggest challenges in US player development
Key trends shaping MLS right now
What success should actually look like for the US national team

If you’re serious about your coaching, this episode will challenge how you see the role and what it really demands.

If you’d like to win a copy of Glenn’s book, comment “book” below.

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High school soccer is often overlooked in the U.S. development landscape — but are we getting this completely wrong?

In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Jim Harte shares a powerful perspective on the role of high school soccer, why it continues to thrive, and what the game might be missing by shifting too far toward club structures.

We dive into:

Where high school soccer sits in today’s landscape
The rise of the High School Champions League
Player experience vs “development” models
Community, identity, and why the game still matters
What coaches can actually take from this

This is a conversation that challenges assumptions — and forces us to rethink what development really means.

If you’re a coach working in high school, club, or both, this is one you need to hear.

FREE sign up for Dan Abrahams Live Discussion below:
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Follow Steven's work at @LeftFieldProductions

In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, we sit down with former Premier League defender Steven Caulker to explore the reality of player development, pressure, and what young players actually need today.

Steven shares powerful insights from his journey through the Premier League, including his time at Liverpool, Tottenham, and international football, and how those experiences shaped his perspective on coaching and supporting players.

This conversation goes beyond tactics and into the human side of the game — emotional intelligence, communication, and the challenges players face behind the scenes.

We discuss:

The pressure of playing at the highest level and why it’s often misunderstood
Why emotional intelligence should be part of coach education
The gap between theory and reality in player development
Supporting players through setbacks, mistakes, and off-field challenges
Why football is creating “the same player” and losing creativity
The importance of communication, relatability, and real-life experience in coaching

This is a must-listen for coaches working with youth and elite players who want to better understand the modern game and the people within it.

If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, and share with other coaches.