I’m delighted to speak with author and journalist Jonathan Harding in this episode. Jonathan has just released the brilliant book Mensch: Beyond the Cones, which takes a detailed look at the German football coaching system and what sets it apart. In the book, Jonathan outlines attributes that modern German coaching embraces to succeed. From the practical aspects on the training ground to why the German coaching system produces so many talented players. 

We speak about the German Lehrer coaching course; situational development; today’s players needing to be told the ‘why’; creating ‘safe’ environments for players; the importance of coaches being ‘people managers’; personality characteristics and styles of coaching; coaches having a connection with their players; self-skills for coaches and what is next for German coaching.