
Modern Soccer Coach Podcast
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
Latest episodes

Mar 30, 2023 • 30min
Working with Mourinho, Conte & Spalletti - Alessandro Davite
As part of our Friday webinars with APFA, we were recently joined by Alessandro Davite, an analyst who has worked with some of the best coaches in the world in Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Luciano Spalletti.
Prior to Roma, where he was a first-team match analyst, Alessandro was based in Milan where he studied at the University of Milan while also working with the AC Milan academy teams as an analyst. He then worked with Torino and Inter Milan. We talked with Alessandro about his journey to the professional level, the tactical culture in Italy, as well as some insights around tactical preparation and weekly processes as an analyst. This interview was an interactive format with coaches in attendance having the opportunity to get involved in the discussion.
To listen to the full 65 minute interview for FREE, please go to:
https://apfa.io/

Mar 21, 2023 • 41min
Inspiring Youth Players with 3v3 Methodology - Peter Prickett
Gary was recently joined by author and FA tutor, Peter Prickett, who has a decade of experience coaching with various organizations and was was one of the first coaches in England to obtain the UEFA B Futsal qualification. Peter has written extensively on the 3v3 methodology fits at youth level and is currently studying for a Masters in Performance Football Coaching.
The topic of discussion for this interview was Peter's new book - 3v3 Inspired by Legends. With 150 training games, Peter's new book combines the advantages of increased touches, heightened decision-making, and greater ball contacts with motivation and inspiration to develop players faster and better. Players want to play like their heroes!
You can order the book below:
https://amzn.to/3FAUBKl
You can also see the video sessions in the book below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9laJGyCZ0I4&t=935s
Don't forget to get you NL Tactical Board on the link below and use the code MSC20 for 20% OFF until March 31!!!
https://nltacticalboard.com/

Mar 16, 2023 • 45min
Balancing Football & Academics in an Elite Environment with Lee Picton
Gary is joined by Lee Picton, current International Academy Director of South Shields International Academy, based in the north east of England. Lee is a UEFA 'A' licensed coach, who also worked at Newcastle United Academy for five years.
Lee discusses ways to facilitate academic growth alongside football and shares his exciting new project - new professional international academy programme launching at the University of Sunderland in partnership with South Shields FC.
The South Shields FC International Academy programme, which starts this September, will allow players from any gender to combine a UK degree with professional soccer development. Through this bespoke development programme, students will be given the opportunity to receive a professional “elite” academy coaching programme with South Shields FC while studying a three-year internationally recognized degree or post-graduate programme at the University.
To find out more, please go to:
https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/international/international-football-academy/
To contact Lee please find his email below:
lee.picton@southshieldsfc.co.uk

Mar 8, 2023 • 58min
Goal-Scoring & Coaching Number 9s with Kenny Miller
Gary is joined by former Glasgow Rangers, Wolves, Derby, Celtic and Scotland center forward, Kenny Miller. With over 200 goals at the highest level, Kenny talks about how he views the forward position in the game today and ways that coaches can improve both teams and individuals. Fresh from his UEFA PRO License and experience at Huddersfield, Kenny also gives his insights and perspectives into his coaching journey and discusses his aims and objectives on the sidelines.
This podcast is sponsored by Football Careers, the global football recruitment company that specialise in recruiting for clubs, colleges, universities and private soccer academies around the globe. In addition to their specialist recruitment services they support candidates at all levels in the game with professionally designed football resumes.
They have been kind enough to offer Modern Soccer Coach podcast listeners a 20% discount on their marketing products using the code MSC20 at the checkout.
Check them out at www.footballcareers.com/curriculum-vitaes/

Mar 2, 2023 • 34min
Coaching Scanning & Decision-Making with Kevin McGreskin
Gary is joined by one of the leading practitioners in scanning and decision making in Kevin McGreskin. With experience at the youth and senior professional levels, Kevin has developed a specific methodology to increase scanning and improve game awareness, to provide players with the tools to make better decisions.
In the webinar, Kevin shared the details of his eyeQ philosophy and practices that use simple constraints which force players to scan more frequently and read the game situation. If you would like to watch the full interview, just click below...
https://apfa.io/apfa-modern-soccer-coach-scanning-improving-awareness-with-kevin-mcgreskin/
You can also check out Kevin's scanning book below:
https://shop.soccertutor.com/scanning-train-it-develop-game-awareness/st-b057

Feb 20, 2023 • 30min
The Role of the Substitution Coach with Sammy Lander
Gary was recently joined by Sammy Lander to discuss the role of the Substitution Coach, empowering those players, improving awareness of roles, and ways that coaches can perhaps get more energy from the bench. In the 2019/20 season, Sammy became the first game’s first specialist substitute coach with AFC Wimbledon and shared his experiences and insights during this live interview.
This was an event that we did the APFA. If you would like to watch the full interview, just click below and watch for FREE!!
https://apfa.io/apfa-modern-soccer-coach-the-role-of-the-substitution-coach-with-sammy-lander/

Feb 12, 2023 • 53min
Coaching Build-Up at Youth Level with Guillermo Sanchez
We were recently joined by assistant boys director at Louisville City FC Academy, Guillermo Sanchez, to discuss his thoughts and philosophies around session design. Guillermo holds a USSF A License and has a phenomenal ranged of experiences within the game.
After his playing career, he has coached at the pro level in Venezuela, India, Paraguay, Bolivia, and in the MLS with Orlando City. He also holds a masters degree in sports psychology and does consultation work with coaches, players and parents around the technical and mental side of the game.
Get the full session plan for FREE below:
https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/post/youth-build-up-session-with-guillermo-sanchez
This podcast is sponsored by Football Careers, the global football recruitment company that specialise in recruiting for clubs, colleges, universities and private soccer academies around the globe. In addition to their specialist recruitment services they support candidates at all levels in the game with professionally designed football resumes.
They have been kind enough to offer Modern Soccer Coach podcast listeners a 20% discount on their marketing products using the code MSC20 at the checkout.
Check them out at www.footballcareers.com/curriculum-vitaes/
Check out Guillermo's website below:
https://www.guillermocoach.com/

Feb 8, 2023 • 28min
Role of Data and College Recruitment with Chris Rich & Katelyn Longino
Last week, we partnered up with APFA (Association of Professional Football Analysts) in our series of 'Friday interviews' was on the topic of college recruitment and the role of data. Our guests were Chris Rich, head coach of UNC-Greensboro, and Katelyn Longino, who is the assistant coach at University of Iowa.
The full 60 minute interview is available on the APFA website. Just click below, start an account and watch for FREE!!
https://t.co/4G1v2jzCan

Jan 22, 2023 • 50min
Managing & Maximizing Your Environment with Jen Klein
Gary is joined by Jen Klein, Head Coach of the University of Michigan, who discusses ways that coaches can manage their environment, particularly in regards to staffing. During the interview, Jen gives fantastic insight on:
- Establishing roles and responsibilities of staff
- Delegation and empowering your staff
- Staff feedback and development
- Hiring and recruiting your staff
And much more!!
This podcast is sponsored by Football Careers, the global football recruitment company that specialise in recruiting for clubs, colleges, universities and private soccer academies around the globe. In addition to their specialist recruitment services they support candidates at all levels in the game with professionally designed football resumes.
They have been kind enough to offer Modern Soccer Coach podcast listeners a 20% discount on their marketing products using the code MSC20 at the checkout.
Check them out at www.footballcareers.com/curriculum-vitaes/

Jan 2, 2023 • 1h 1min
Creating a Flexible Football Philosophy (Under Pressure!!) - Jack Ross
Gary is joined by Jack Ross, UEFA Pro License and former head coach of Dundee United, Hibs, St Mirren and Sunderland. He talks about his experiences of building and executing a flexible football philosophy and offers insights on how to communicate and manage it when the pressure is on.
This podcast is sponsored by Football Careers, the global football recruitment company that specialise in recruiting for clubs, colleges, universities and private soccer academies around the globe. In addition to their specialist recruitment services they support candidates at all levels in the game with professionally designed football resumes.
They have been kind enough to offer Modern Soccer Coach podcast listeners a 20% discount on their marketing products using the code MSC20 at the checkout.
Check them out at https://www.footballcareers.com/curriculum-vitaes/