The Lowdown

“We don’t just want consumers; we want people who think deeply about who they are and what kind of coach they want to be.”Today we are joined by the Technical Director of Player Development for MLS; Fred Lipka. In this episode, we dive deep into coach development, pedagogy, and the evolution of youth football from France to the United States. Fred shares a journey that spans Le Havre’s world-renowned academy, consulting across the U.S. youth landscape, and shaping the next generation of MLS coaches through the Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL). Graduates like Wilfried Nancy, Greg Vanney, Nico Estevez, and Luchi Gonzalez have gone onto esteemed success coaching first team football. Here Fred explains how the course is taught and the unique approach they take to social learning.Listen to find out more including;- Growing up in the Le Havre environment, sharing insights into what made Le Havre’s developmental culture so influential.- What surprised him most about the structure, culture, and coaching approaches in the U.S?- Do US based coaches spend sufficient time on field developing their craft?- The link between teaching and coaching — and why coaching must evolve ?- Why coaches focusing on developing their players individual game insight is key to US success over the next decade?- Creating environments where coaches want to contribute, support each other and give back.Timestamps;00:00 - 11:10 - Le Havre11:11 - 25:16 - EFCL25:17 - 37:08 - Coaching Pathways37:09 - 54:20 - Game Insight54:21 - 57:57 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

In this episode, we sit down with Kasper Thornton, the Group Director of Human Performance at Right to Dream. From the academies of Ghana to world-class facilities in Europe and the U.S., Right to Dream is more than a football program — it’s a philosophy about opportunity, character, and purpose.Kasper shares his personal journey through the world of sport, what drew him to Right to Dream’s mission, and the values that underpin their success. We go deep inside the student-athlete experience, explore how collaboration drives performance outcomes, and reflect on some of the toughest leadership decisions that come with leading across continents.Listen to find out more including;- What is the optimum balance of challenge and support in working with student-athletes?- How working cross continent has shaped Kasper's leadership journey?- Insights on sustaining a shared mission and identity as Right to Dream build.- "Infinite trust" and how Kasper empowers others to lead.- Why "how we win" & "who we win with" matters most?- How working with Gen-Z is reshaping Kasper's own work routine and weekly architecture?Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

In this episode, we sit down with Gareth Henderby, Director of International Football at Blue Crow Sports Group, and formerly a cornerstone figure at Right to Dream and FC Nordsjælland.From being Employee #1 at Right to Dream in Ghana to shaping academies across continents, Gareth shares a remarkable 25-year journey dedicated to developing people through football — not just producing players, but nurturing character, education, and opportunity.Now leading international strategy at Blue Crow, Gareth discusses how multi-club ownership, data-driven development, and education-centric talent systems are redefining the future of football.Listen to find out more including;- Inside the early days at Right to Dream.- The partner mindset which gave RTD success in Africa?- How they got the transition right developing players from Academy through to First Team Football?- What multi club ownership means for global football pathways?- Building alignment through a centralized football department at Blue Crow.Timestamps;00:00 - 05:32 - Ghana05:33 - 15:34 - Right to Dream15:35 - 20:17 - Partner Mindset20:18 - 26:02 - International Academy26:03 - 36:40 - Blue Crow36:41 - 44:22 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

In this episode, we sit down with Juan Cale, one of football’s most respected agents, to explore what really goes on behind the scenes in the world of player representation. From negotiating contracts and managing careers to balancing player ambitions with club realities, Juan shares a candid look at the business side of the beautiful game.He opens up about how he broke into the industry, the biggest misconceptions about agents, and the lessons he’s learned working with players at every stage of their careers. Whether you’re a young player, coach, or fan who wants to understand how deals really get done, this episode offers a rare inside perspective.Listen to find out more including;- How Juan got his start as a football agent and built his network in a competitive industry?- The truth about what agents actually do — and what they don’t?- How to guide players beyond the paycheck: choosing the right club, coach, and environment?- The art of negotiation — striking balance between player goals and club expectations.- The evolving role of data, analytics, and player branding in modern football.- Juan’s advice for the next generation of agents and players entering the professional world.Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Episode 180 is a repeat of one of our most downloaded episodes to date, a conversation with Owen Eastwood. Renowned for his work with NATO, Gareth Southgate's England, South African Cricket and most recently Europe's Ryder Cup winning team. He has carved out a reputation in elite sport for creating the optimal environment for teams to succeed. Here he brings us on a journey reflecting on his career, the lessons learned and allowing us remarkable access into his work. It's an episode you will listen to again and again. Enjoy. Listen to find out more including;- Why “Belonging” is never an achieved state?- What the art of good storytelling looks like?- The ancient Maori belief Owen uses to maximise a team's performance?- Inside his role within Gareth Southgate's England squad and reflecting upon how the national team culture has changed.- Why being authentic and personal are the two key tools to navigating the future successfully?- Owen's challenge to to each of you listening.Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

It’s not every day that your book earns acclaim from Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, and Jürgen Klinsmann — but that’s exactly what Andreas Schumacher can attest to with his new book Two Versus One, co-authored with Bernhard Peters.Having worked in the youth setups of clubs such as Stuttgart and Hamburg, Schumacher has seen first-hand how alignment between academies, first teams, and leadership can shape long-term player development.Two Versus One is a thought-provoking work that challenges conventional thinking on attacking play, progression, and finishing. If you’re passionate about player development, creative attacking football, and innovative coaching, this episode will push you to rethink how the game is taught and played.Listen to find out more including;- Why 2v1 is more than just a numbers advantage—and how it transforms attacking play ?- Why the most difficult part of football—scoring goals—is often the least trained?- The surprising influence of hockey on football coaching.- Why Andreas believes “there’s no such thing as a 1v1 in football” ?- Where youth development needs to evolve in the next 5–10 years ?Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

From playing over 180 times for Canada during a golden era of women’s football to becoming a NWSL championship-winning coach, Rhian Wilkinson has had quite the journey from the backline to the touchline. In this episode, she reflects on her journey from player to coach, how her experiences on the pitch shaped her philosophy, the importance of building trust in new environments, and what the future holds for the women’s game.Listen to find out more including;- What it meant to represent Canada on the global stage over 180 times.- How her years as a defender shaped her coaching philosophy?- The evolution of her coaching approach across youth, club, and international football.- How the Wales national team role came about and the challenges of international management.- Balancing empathy with high-performance demands in elite sport.- Breaking down barriers and what excites her most about the next decade of women’s football?00:00 - 04:10 - Playing04:11 - 10:28 - Coaching10:29 - 15:46- Management15:47 - 23:04 - Wales23:05 - 30:59 - Women's football31:00 - 32:01 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwalsh95?lang=enYouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Craig Dalrymple has built a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and an obsession with player development. From early adversity that fueled his drive, to over a decade at Vancouver where he oversaw the progression of more than 80 academy players into the first team — including global stars like Alphonso Davies — Craig has consistently found ways to turn potential into performance. Now as Head of Professional Player Development at Seattle Sounders, his mission is to design environments where every player can thrive. This episode is an insight into what it truly takes to stand out in high performance environments.Listen to find out more including;- The balance between relentless effort and the pursuit of quality in a young coach’s career.- Designing learning environments across diverse settings, from Miami to the Pacific North West.- Why he chose to focus on developing players as individuals rather than just coaching teams?- What elite talent really looks like and the traits that separate the few who make it?- The purpose and power of Individual Development Plan (IDP) meetings — and what many academies get wrong.-Insights as to how he designs and directs resources plus attention to Sounders top talents.00:00 - 08:59 - Whitecaps09:00 - 17:06 - Feedback17:07 - 25:10- Technical Leadership25:11 - 37:46 - Seattle37:47 - 45:44 - IDP45:45 - 49:35 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Renowned for her pioneering work as a group dynamics analyst, Manon Eluere has spent years exploring how teams function beneath the surface. With a PhD focused on the strengths and challenges of multicultural squads, her research has provided coaches and managers with practical insights into cohesion, leadership, and performance in high-pressure environments.Manon offers a rare perspective at the intersection of research and practice—where science meets the lived realities of the dressing room.Listen to find out more including;- Defining the role of a group dynamics analyst and why it matters in modern football?- What we most commonly misunderstand about team settings?- Cohesion vs. conformism – how high-pressure environments shape team culture.- The role of data and technology in understanding and shaping group behavior.- What her main indicator of staff retention is?- Emerging trends that will shape team dynamics over the next decade.Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

What does it really take to handle the world’s biggest players, the fastest games, and the fiercest scrutiny in football? Jonathan Moss knows better than most.From starting out on grassroots pitches to taking charge of Premier League clashes watched by millions, Moss has lived the highs, the pressure, and the controversy of refereeing at the very top. Now Head of Referees at Football Australia, he’s leading the next generation of officials into a new era.Listen to find out more including;- The toughest part of climbing the ladder from local games to the Premier League.- How he stayed calm making split-second calls in high-stakes moments?- The truth about dealing with criticism from managers, players, fans, and the media.- His honest take on VAR and whether it’s helped or hindered referees.- Why communication and respect are the hidden keys to managing elite players?- The changes he’s driving to improve refereeing for the future.Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie