Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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Most teams say the same thing: “We just need someone to score goals.”
But what if the problem isn’t the player… it’s the understanding of the position?

In this episode, Gary Curneen sits down with JP Owens (Ireland U17 Women’s National Team Performance Analyst & Shelbourne First Team) to break down the detail behind elite centre forward play. From movement in relation to teammates, to how the best strikers dictate passes rather than wait for service, this is one of the most in-depth conversations we’ve had on the #9 role.

We dive into:

Why most forwards struggle to impact games
The relationship between the passer and the striker
How elite forwards “plot” movements before the ball arrives
Practical ways to coach striker movement inside team sessions
How to build a culture of player-led development using video and feedback

If you coach or work with forwards, this will completely change how you see the position.

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In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen is joined by Tom Dent, First Team Assistant Coach at Vålerenga, to explore one of the biggest shifts in the modern game — the rise of set pieces.

Once seen as a secondary part of football, set plays are now a defining factor in performance. The best teams in the world are no longer just strong in open play — they dominate moments that restart the game.

In this conversation, we dive into:
How set pieces have evolved across the last 5–10 years
Why top teams are now leading the league in set play performance
How coaches can integrate set pieces into their game model
Practical ways to include set piece work in everyday training sessions
How youth coaches can begin developing these habits early

This is a must-listen for coaches looking to stay aligned with the modern game and build more complete players and teams.

A big thank you to Zone 14 Coaching for supporting this episode.

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In this episode, we go inside one of the most fascinating clubs in European football — Bodø/Glimt. Over the past few years, the Norwegian club has built a remarkable culture and player development environment that has helped them compete at the highest levels of the game, including the Champions League.

A big thank you to our sponsor Zone14 Coaching. Their NextGen journals help coaches and players plan, reflect, and track progress throughout the season, built on intentional coaching and backed by neuroscience. Modern Soccer Coach listeners can get $5 off with code MODERNSOCCER5 at zone14coaching.com

Joining Gary Curneen on this podcast is Olav Øverli, Academy Director at Bodø/Glimt. Olav shares a detailed look into how the club develops players, builds a strong culture, and creates an environment where curiosity, responsibility, and hard work are non-negotiable. He explains why the foundation of their academy begins with something simple but powerful: a love of the ball.

We discuss the principles behind Bodø/Glimt’s development model, the importance of aligned leadership throughout the club, how the academy balances joy and professionalism in youth development, and why they prioritize curious, engaged footballers over rigid systems.

Topics covered include:
• Bodø/Glimt’s academy philosophy and culture
• Developing curious and engaged footballers
• Why “non-negotiables” are the starting point
• Balancing joy and professionalism in youth development
• Coaching younger players vs academy age groups
• The role of feedback and honest coaching
• Technology, data, and the limits of sports science in development
• The impact of phones and distractions on young players
• Hiring coaches and building a strong academy staff culture

If you enjoy these conversations, please subscribe to the channel and check out more coaching breakdowns and interviews here on Modern Soccer Coach.

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In this week’s Modern Soccer Coach podcast, I sat down with US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker for an honest conversation about the future of player development in the United States. If the goal is to become a consistent World Cup contender — not just a nation capable of a one-off run — then the biggest shift cannot happen at senior level. It has to happen in the environments where young players are developed every day. We discussed the numbers behind elite performance, the importance of practice time, the pressure coaches feel to win at younger ages, and why US Soccer is choosing to influence rather than dictate change across the landscape.

One theme stood out clearly: there is a difference between a winning mentality and a win-at-all-costs mentality. Elite performance begins with joy. When children feel psychologically safe, encouraged to experiment, and supported as individuals, they build the creativity, confidence, and resilience required at the highest level. If we prioritize short-term results over long-term development, we risk limiting both participation and potential. The pathway to elite soccer is not built on pressure alone — it is built on environments where players love the game enough to invest the thousands of hours required to master it.

A big thank you to Zone 14 Coaching for supporting this episode. Their NextGen journals for coaches and players are designed to bring structure, reflection, and intentional learning into the training process — helping coaches plan with clarity and players track their development throughout the season. You can learn more at zone14coaching.com and use the code MODERNSOCCER5 for $5 off.

Check out Zone14 and get $5 off your order at Zone14Coaching.com using the code ModernSoccer5.

What is happening to positional play in the modern game?

In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen sits down again with Bernat Mosquera to explore how football is evolving beyond rigid structures and fixed positions. We dive into the shift from “playing the game model” to playing what is actually happening in front of you. The rise of generalists. The importance of specialists. The impact of man-marking. The changing nature of space. And why rhythm and tempo may be the next tactical frontier.

Bernat challenges a lot of current thinking. Are we overvaluing structure? Are we missing the emotional side of the game? Are small-space habits limiting our players? And what does training need to look like if we want dynamic, adaptable footballers?

If you’re a coach thinking deeply about positional play, identity, and how to develop players for the realities of modern football, this is one you won’t want to miss.

If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway. It helps us reach more coaches around the world.

This episode is brought to you by Zone 14 Coaching — a company built by coaches, for coaches. Their Next Gen Journals for coaches and players help you plan with intention, reflect with clarity, and track development across the entire season. Grounded in neuroscience and designed for real coaching life, they’re a powerful tool for building accountability and learning habits in your environment.

You can get $5 off your order at Zone14Coaching.com using the code ModernSoccer5. If you’re outfitting an entire team or club, check the contact details below and connect directly with them.

Thanks for your continued support of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast.

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