Modern Soccer Coach Podcast
Gary Curneen
Our goal is to bring in-depth content to coaches with a combination of interviews, chats, and personal thoughts on the topics that really matter in the beautiful game and elite-level sport. Enjoy and thanks for listening! - Gary
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 1, 2022 • 41min
A True Journey! College, Club, and now MLS Analysis - Joseph Hickman
Gary is joined by Joe Hickman, Video Analyst currently working at Real Salt Lake in MLS. Joe has a very interesting journey - having worked in the college game and is heavily involved in youth soccer too. He talks about life as MLS Analyst, processes at Real Salt Lake, what kind of analysis processes he would go back and do at college and career advice for people looking to progress in the analysis world.
Todays podcast is sponsored by Football Careers, the global football recruitment company that specialize in recruiting for clubs, colleges, universities and private soccer academies around the globe.
They have been kind enough to offer Modern Soccer Coach podcast listeners a 10% discount on their products using the code MSC10 at the checkout.
Check them out at https://www.footballcareers.com/

Nov 21, 2022 • 45min
Connecting Training to the Game Model with David Selini
David Selini joins us to discuss effective ways to connect session design to tactical principles. He is a UEFA A Licensed coach and assistant coach at IFK Värnamo who play in the top tier of Swedish football
David discusses specific exercises, training methodology, and gives a fantastic insight into how to be consistent and creative on the training pitch.
You can watch the full interview here...
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/post/session-design-with-david-selini
AND DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT KEYFRAME...
www.keyframesports.com/

Nov 4, 2022 • 47min
Helping Youth Players Deal with Stress and Pressure with Stefan Peter
Gary is joined by Stefan Peter to discuss the role of pressure in youth sports and how coaches can help. Stefan grew up in Austria, was a former player, and has now moved onto coaching and working with athletes from all over the world online.
Stefan has generously sponsored this episode and he has some excellent resources that he’s also giving away,,, please check out the full workbook which is available to download for FREE below:
https://www.stefanpetercoaching.com/
This offer will be available until the end of the year
Also he has another special offer for listeners with 10% off his coaching program
Two more things he would like to exclusively offer to our listeners:
1) Below are a quick set of questions to self assess emotional intelligence. If you answer more than 5 of these questions with „no", than the emotionset method would be a helpful tool to perform and feel better in the future.
1. I’m usually aware of how I’m feeling emotionally.
2. I find it easy to express my feelings and beliefs to others.
3. I really know what I’m good at and where I lack skills.
4. I know exactly where I’m going in life.
5. I depend on others when making important decisions.
6. People feel I really listen to them.
7. I have many friends and acquaintances.
8. I spend a lot of time doing things to help others.
9. I’m good at solving people’s problems.
10. I find it easy to change tasks.
11. I live in the real world and tend not to daydream.
12. I get through stressful situations without a lot of anxiety.
13. I’m thoughtful, and I carefully plan my reaction to things.
14. I tend to look at the bright side of things.
15. I’m usually happy.
2) 10% additional discount on the online coaching program on his website below:
https://www.stefanpetercoaching.com/

Oct 31, 2022 • 48min
Building a Career as a Tactical Analyst - Oliver Gage
Oliver Gage joins Gary to discuss the world of analysis at the professional level, with an emphasis on how young analysts can build their resume and career effectively.
Oliver has worked at the professional level for a number of years in England with Sheffield Wednesday, MLS with Houston Dynamo, and Canada with Canadian Premier League. He has also recently launched a new analysis community called APFA (Association of Professional Football Analysts) and talks about the goals and objectives of that project.
To join Olly's new APFA project, please go to:
https://apfa.io/

Oct 22, 2022 • 36min
Relief Over Joy - Struggling with Life as a Coach with Brian McDermott
Gary is joined by Joined by Brian McDermott, a former professional player and coach, who has managed Leeds United and Reading in the Premier League.
But at the highest level it wasn’t what it seemed…
Brian has recently talked about his battles with anxiety, depression and alcohol and has some powerful posts about that on LinkedIn. In this interview he gives perspective on his experiences, as well as advice for coaches who may be struggling with similar issues.
AND DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT KEYFRAME...
https://www.keyframesports.com/

Sep 21, 2022 • 47min
Steven Gerrard's Tactical Blueprint with Adam Thornton
Gary is joined by Adam Thornton, author of the new book 'Gerrard’s Blueprint' which takes an in-depth, inside look at Steven Gerrard’s tactical work at Glasgow Rangers in his three years there, culminating in a league title win in 2020.
After reading the book, Gary wants to take a look at three specific areas in Gerrard's system...
Pressing…
Positional rotation
Midfield Balance (this is a very interesting one!!)
You can order your copy of the book below...
https://heartandhand.co.uk/gerrards-blueprint/
Also huge thanks to Keyframe for teaming up with on another interview..
https://www.keyframesports.com/

Sep 9, 2022 • 1h 15min
Julio Costa - What Does a Data Scientist Really Do??
Gary is joined by Fulham FC Data Scientist, Julio Costa, to discuss the role of a data scientist at a club. Julio's inspiring journey and football background brings a different angle on the role of data and he discusses how to balance the following:
- Coaching and data
- Youth and pro development
- Social media and real life
And much more!
We are excited to team up with Keyframe for this episode. If you are a coach looking to improve your video work, Keyframe are high quality, easy to use, and affordable!!!
Check out Keyframe below:
https://www.keyframesports.com/

Aug 16, 2022 • 50min
Life at Manchester United and Falling in Love with Football with Luke Chadwick
Gary is joined by former Manchester United player and director of Football Fun Factory, Luke Chadwick. Luke discusses the culture at United, alongside Roy Keane and David Beckham, and how that experience has shaped his thinking for impacting the next generation of players that he's now working with.
Check out Football Fun Factory below:
https://thefootballfunfactory.co.uk/
Get Your FREE MSC eBooks:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/shop

Aug 5, 2022 • 51min
Improving Communication & Decision Making at Youth Level with Jack Rolfe
Gary is joined by Jack Rolfe to discuss one of the most complex challenges for youth coaches today: creating an environment where coaches can facilitate decision making, communication and creativity for young players.
Jack is the founder of The Coaching Lab and has created some forward thinking resources for coaches in this area. His MatchPlay Cards are used by coaches from grassroots to the world's best at West Ham, Liverpool and Rangers FC Academies. The MatchPlay Cards can be added into small sided games, and also shared with parents to help set player targets.
SPECIAL OFFER!!!! Check them out online at www.thecoachinglab.org and use the code MSCPODCAST at checkout to get your 10% OFF DISCOUNT!!

24 snips
Jul 22, 2022 • 59min
Roberto De Zerbi - Breaking the Rules of Build-Up: Conversation with Jamie Hamilton
Gary is joined by UEFA 'A' coach and acclaimed writer, Jamie Hamilton, to discuss Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi and his in-possession system.
Jamie discusses how De Zerbi 'breaks the rules' of traditional thinking by:
- Provoking a press rather than avoiding pressure
- Exposing team to 'high risk' in build-up
- Keeping players narrow in build rather than wide
- Slowing game down rather than opting for tempo
The conversation then progresses into why variety and thinking outside the box are so important, both to player and coach development in the game today.
Check out Jamie's article here:
https://medium.com/@stirlingj1982/dangerous-provocations-79acd3a890f
Sign up for MSC Set-Piece webinar with Andy Parslow:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/live-msc-set-piece-webinar-with-andy-parslow
Order MSC 20 Attacking Training Sessions eBook:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/attacking-training-sessions


