The Lowdown

Peter Sturgess has been at the heart of reshaping English football’s approach to youth development. From designing the FA Youth Modules and creating the Play Phase for 4–6 year olds, to working alongside Dan Ashworth in building the England DNA, his influence has touched every corner of the game. Beyond the frameworks, Peter has also been a coach educator, researcher, and futsal advocate — all with one guiding principle: putting the child first.In this episode, Peter shares his journey, his philosophies on skill acquisition and learning, and why even now he still sees himself as unfinished and excited about what’s next.Listen to find out more including;- How the FA Youth Modules and Play Phase transformed early player development?- The story behind embedding the England DNA under Dan Ashworth.- Why futsal accelerates creativity and adaptability in ways other formats can’t?- Are players being pushed into academies too early — and what’s at stake?- Coaching the coach educators and applying research in teaching and learning.- Why putting the child first remains the cornerstone of development in the 21st century?00:00 - 07:02 - Intro07:03 - 13:16 - Coaching the Coach13:17 - 19:06- FA19:07 - 26:16 - Child First26:22 - 37:43 - Futsal37:44 - 44:24 - The joy of learningGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

In this episode, I sat down with Scott Miller — a coach whose story runs from buying a one-way ticket to the UK, working building sites, and cold calls, to standing on the touchline in a Europa League final with Fulham and later becoming the youngest head coach in A-League history.Scott shares what it was like working with players such as Dimitar Berbatov, Damien Duff, and Clint Dempsey, the lessons he learned under Roy Hodgson & Ange Postecoglou and how trust, feedback, and culture have guided his journey. With over 20 years in football and a recent move into tech, Scott offers a unique perspective on where the two worlds intersect — and how the future belongs to coach plus AI, not coach versus AI.Listen to find out more including;- The bold move of buying a one-way ticket to the UK and breaking into the Premier League.- Behind the scenes of Fulham’s Europa League final run and working with big personalities.- What it meant to become the youngest head coach in A-League history?- Working under Ange and why players are your CV!- “Feedback beats perfection” as a guiding principle for Scott.- How football and tech overlap — and what the best are doing with AI in coaching?00:00 - 10:00 - Fulham10:01 - 18:26 - Coaching18:27 - 30:55- Leaving Professional Football30:56 - 43:41 - Applying football lessons to tech43:42 - 47:37 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Today’s guest, Bernat Mosquera is known for his innovative lens on individual development, player centred learning and final-third mastery, Bernat has worked across continents and cultures, shaping a coaching philosophy that encourages understanding over recognition.He is the mind behind Modern Coach Hub, a leading platform for sharing fresh coaching ideas and frameworks. From rethinking how players read cues in the final third to refining how coaches design and communicate individual sessions, Bernat’s work continues to push the boundaries of player development.Listen to find out more including;- How working across continents shaped Bernat’s coaching philosophy?- Why he emphasizes individual development as a cornerstone of coaching ?- Why coaches often struggle to translate individual principles into the collective game ?- The differences between dynamic and static references in decision-making.- Key ideas from his final-third frameworks and reading cues.- How communication styles, video, and data can support more effective knowledge transfer to players?Timestamps;00:00 - 03:58 - Intro03:59 - 14:56 - Universal Principles14:57 - 19:32- Push v Pull19:33 - 27:40 - Modern Coach Hub27:41 - 35:03 - Final Third35:04 - 45:32 - Game Insight45:33 - 49:45 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

The Sporting Director is one of the most influential and misunderstood roles in modern football.Today’s guest, Dan Parnell, is at the forefront of changing that perception. As the CEO of the Association of Sporting Directors (ASD), Dan has been instrumental in shaping the way leaders in football approach system design, strategy, and long-term success.With a background in academia, research, and leadership, Dan bridges the gap between evidence-based practice and the real-world demands of football. His work has created a global platform for Sporting Directors to share knowledge, develop professionally, and ultimately raise the standards of how clubs operate.In this episode, we explore what truly defines the Sporting Director role, how to build sustainable football departments, and why alignment between academy, first team, and ownership is vital for long-term success. We also look ahead to how multi-club models, private investment, and technology are reshaping the role and what the future Sporting Director will need to thrive.Listen to find out more including;- The origins of the Association of Sporting Directors and why the role needed professionalisation.- The non-negotiable responsibilities every Sporting Director must master.- What common mistakes clubs make when designing their football departments?- Why Dan believes the Sporting Director should act as both an integrator and a buffer?- The impact of multi-club ownership, private equity, and financial models on leadership roles.- Dan’s advice for aspiring Sporting Directors looking to break into the role.Timestamps;00:00 - 07:00 - ASD07:01 - 11:39 - Collaboration11:40 - 22:08- The Role22:09 - 28:27 - Alignment28:28 - 40:00 - Legacy40:01 - 43:28 - Advicehttps://associationofsportingdirectors.com/Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

" A good coach changes the game, a great coach changes a life"; - John Wooden.A mantra from the one and only John Wooden but one in which today's guest Tom Hartley lives and breathes by.Tom is a leading voice in coach development, system design, and player pathways. Tom brings a multi-disciplinary perspective from his roles at Arsenal, The FA, UK Coaching, Oxford United Women, True Athlete Project, and—most notably—Head of Competitor Development at Motorsport UK.We explore what makes a great coach developer and how to build sustainable coaching systems that align from grassroots foundations to elite performance levels. We also dive into how emerging technologies like AI and data are reshaping coaching, and what forward-thinking strategies are essential for future readiness. Whether you’re a coach, technical director, or sports leader, this episode equips you with the frameworks and mindset to build impactful, future-facing coaching cultures.Listen to find out more including;- How coach developers support transformation, not just instruction?- Key principles in designing scalable coach development systems.- Building alignment across the player pathway, from youth to elite levels.- What he learned from producing IDP's at Arsenal?- Tom’s groundbreaking work in bringing structured coaching to motorsport.- Opportunities and risks of integrating AI and technology into coaching.Timestamps;00:00 - 05:48 - Relationships05:49 - 14:50 - IDPs14:51 - 19:22- Handcuffs to Handrails19:23 - 30:58 - Coach Development30:59 - 38:18 - Self Awareness38:19 - 42:06 - Motorsport42:07 - 49:09 - AI49:10 - 55:26 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Dan Lock — Head of Coaching & Individual Development for Columbus Crew.Driven by an insatiable appetite to learn and grow, Dan shares insights into the diverse environments that have shaped his journey so far. Always seeking opportunities to stretch himself—whether through leadership, coach development, or exploring the intricacies of individual growth—Dan offers a compelling perspective on continuous development.Listen to find out more including;- How the Columbus Crew create lifelong fans within the Academy?- Insights behind the processes guiding player development pathways at the Crew.- The changes made in house to shape alignment from Academy to First Team.- The balance of push & pull when it comes to leading staff & departments.- More behind Dan's decision to move from a strategic to technical position within the Crew.Timestamps;00:00 - 07:02 - Perspectives07:03 - 13:05 - Columbus13:06 - 22:26- Pathways22:27 - 32:29 - Leadership32:30 - 41:19 - Player Development41:20 - 43:52 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Gary Curneen — host of the Modern Soccer Coach podcast.Gary's platform has been widely acknowledged as one of the best learning hubs for coaches worldwide. In this wide ranging conversation we tackle topics from youth development to the recent Club World Cup and even as far as what a modern soccer coach will look like over these next 5-10 years. Really fascinating conversation and great to hear from Gary on the other end of the microphone.Listen to find out more including;- Modern Soccer Coach & it's origins- Filtering through noise and signal in consuming football content.- Prioritizing obtaining experiences rather than information as a coach.- What frustrates Gary about coaching at the moment?- Which skillsets coaches need to focus on over the forthcoming years?Timestamps;00:00 - 09:23 - Modern Soccer Coach09:24 - 16:21 - Content16:22 - 22:16- Curiosity22:17 - 29:31 - Club World Cup29:32 - 35:07 - Experiences35:08 - 46:47 - Youth Development46:48 - 55:48 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

On today’s episode, we’re joined by women’s football pioneer Dawn Scott — renowned for her transformative work with both the England and U.S. Women’s National Teams. With a career highlighted by back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019, Dawn’s legacy is defined by relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in high performance.In this conversation, Dawn takes us through her remarkable journey from practitioner to performance leader, sharing insights into the evolution of the women’s game, the mindset behind championship teams, and what it truly means to lead in elite sport.Listen to find out more including;- Influencing change as a young practitioner by leading from the front.- How effective communication & collaboration practices have evolved through Dawn's time in the game.- Balancing the longer term picture whilst keeping an individual lens on the day to day.- Learning from Jill Ellis in changing your game when on top.- The steps Dawn has took to constantly improve upon her leadership skills and how she embraces the unknown.Timestamps;00:00 - 07:04 - Intro07:05 - 17:21 - England17:22 - 21:39- Balance21:40 - 34:41 - USA34:42 - 41:44 - Control v Guidance41:45 - 1:05:45 - Leadership1:05:46 - 1:11:54 - Signal v Noise1:11:55 - 1:18:31 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

"Tomorrow you have an opportunity to be better than today."Didier Chamberon is the Director of Coaching Education at US Soccer.Today Didier discussed alongside myself the current state of Coach Education and the challenges it faces in modern society. Firstly harnessing ones passion, we then progress into areas such as how can coaches build their toolkit and furthermore how can one discover and iterate through intentional reflection and practice.Listen to find out more including;- How the role of the coach extends beyond coaching?- The big questions Didier had to answer upon his coaching journey.- Understanding the environment prior to identifying developmental needs.- Didier's methodology for understanding coaches needs and preparing developmental plans.- What does good reflection look like?Timestamps;00:00 - 05:46 - Inspiration05:47 - 12:35 - Coaching12:36 - 20:45- Self-Awareness20:46 - 26:19 - Reflection26:20 - 31:51 - Coach Development31:52 - 38:33 - Values38:34 - 41:23 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Today I am re-releasing one of my most popular recordings to date with Raymond Verheijen the owner of Football Coach Evolution.“The aim of Football Coach Evolution is not to change the world but to develop coaches based on more objective & reliable information”.Having served as an assistant in four World Cups & Euros alongside being mentored by the likes of Louis Van Gaal & Guus Hiddink there are few better equipped to guide the next generation. Utilizing evolutionary knowledge to explain tactical principles & methodology, Raymond has created a universal football language to better equip coaches for the challenges ahead. Yet knowledge is only the starting point and we gain insight as to the challenges faced when we begin to apply this objective knowledge in our respective environments.Listen to find out more including;- Raymond's coaching origin story.- How Raymond turned his biggest disappointment into his biggest opportunity?- Why has there been a “pollution of football language & methodology?”- Top down control v Top down guidance.- Guus Hiddink's mastery in change management.- How to ensure your tactical principles are built on solid foundations?- Can we change the conversation at boardroom level?Timestamps;00:00 - 04:30 - Intro04:31 - 14:51 - Universal Football Language14:52 - 25:37 - Application25:38 - 32:47 - Change Management32:48 - 45:38 - Clarity of Role45:39 - 1:00:22 - Knowledge or Experience?1:00:23 - 1:14:32 - Intelligence or Consciousness?1:14:33 - 1:24:30 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie