Youth Soccer Coaching Player Development Podcast

Alex Nichols is a Technical Coach at Arsenal FC's Academy. Alex discusses what goes on on the grass at Hale End to make it one of best Academies in world football right now.

Andy Parslow is a specialist coach with AFC Wimbledon's 1st team. As set-piece coach he's managed to make Wimbledon's set-piece stats some of the best in the country. He's also had a long and distinguished career in Academy Football at Brentford, Watford and AFC Wimbledon. Saul and Andy discuss the rise of specialist coaches in football and how important they've become to players and teams at the highest level.

Joe Antonelli is Lead u14 and u15 Lead Coach at Crystal Palace's Academy. Joe talks about the great work going on at the South London club and their transition to a Cat 1 Academy. Joe also talks about his previous roles at Fulham and Barnet's Academy. This one is not to be missed.

Hasney Aljofree spent 10 years coaching at Manchester United's famous Academy. Working across the age groups from 12 to the 23s Hasney gives us the behind the scenes low down on one of the best Academies in world football and what went on day to day on and off the grass.

Timo Jankowski has had an incredible career starting working for the German FA and progressing to Grass Hopper Zurich where he held several positions including First Team Coach, Head of Performance and Head of Player Development. He is now Technical Director of Fiji. Timo shares his journey and experiences supporting player development in this unique environments.

Thiago Macedo has coached at 3 of the biggest clubs in Brazil. He joins Saul to discuss his career and give us the insight into one of the greatest football cultures in world football. Why and how do Brazil keep producing such technically excellent players and what are the differences in approaches by the country's biggest clubs.

Angel City FC is the new Womens Soccer Team Franchise in LA. Freya Coombe is Head Coach and joins Saul to discuss her inspirational story which has led to hear securing one of the top jobs in Womens Soccer. Freya started her career in the UK working for the FA and the Reading girls programme. She then moved to the USA to work in grass roots but was quickly given the opportunity of a life time to coach the Sky Blues (now Gotham FC) which she took with both hands. Thanks to Angel City FC for use of the profile picture.

Thomas Ruesink has been a skills coach at PSV for over 3 years. Working predominantly with the 10-13s age groups. Thomas gives us insight to one of the best Academies in Holland and how his unique 'chaos games' philosophy added something new to the Academy.

Zeb Jacobs has recently begun a new role as Head of Coaching at Rangers Football Club. Zeb talks about his coaching methodology that he moulded in his time at Royal Antwerp. Built around developing players ability to outplay opponents in 1v1 and creating masters of the ball. Zeb goes into detail about what he believes is the best way to develop top pros and the challenges of implementing a new philosophy at a top european club.

Paul Gray is the Senior Foundation Phase Coach at Blackburn Rovers. He's a Foundation Phase specialist with experience working at Accrington Stanley, Blackpool, Preston North End, Bodo Glimt in Norway until he's current position at Blackburn Rovers.