The Lowdown

"Take care of the game and the business will take care of itself."I for one cannot wait to attend this year's SoccerEx in Miami. To preview this year's offering, CEO Patrick McCreanor joined the show. From it's debut event in Wembley right through to a landmark 50th convention in it's adopted city of Miami SoccerEx has cemented itself as the world's largest football business event. As over 600 clubs from all around the world embark on the Magic City we chart through the rise of one of football's most prestigious brands.Listen to find out more including;- The origins of SoccerEx.- What makes Miami the full package as a host city?- Post 2026 what does football in North America look and feel like?- The efforts taken to grow the brand and modernise it's existing offering.- Who is on the agenda for 2023? And what panels and discussions can we look forward to?Timestamps;00:00 - 01:32 - Intro01:33 - 03:43 - Origins03:44 - 05:20 - Miami05:21 - 10:28 - Legacy10:29 - 15:38 - Evolution15:39 - 18:41 - The Agenda18:42 - 19:42 - AdviceSoccerEx; https://soccerex.com/Patrick's LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mccreanor-24a16058/Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/lang=enYouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

"The objective is to win but at what cost...."Jonathon O'Neill is the co-founder of HeadCoach.Turning potential into performance HeadCoach is an app which allows you to master your mental, emotional and social skillsets. At a time where coaches and players bandwith have never been as stretched the app seeks to optimize and enhance your ability to reflect, realign and refocus.A tool which we must constantly develop, there is no arrival point or time at which we master EQ. Integrating the game of sport within the game of life indeed there is no separation between performance and wellbeing. Through a range of features varying from a habit tracker to a wellness journal the app seeks to minimize that gap.Learn more as to why coaches should be concerned with EQ, the distinction between confidence and competence, the flipside of the Dunning-Kruger effect, why coach burnout is on the rise and so much more.Listen to find out more including;- What does scalability look for coaches who are already overloaded?- Managing competition and cooperation within sport.- Distinguishing between "d needs" and "b needs" and understanding how this impacts your EQ strategy.- The intersection between the "Dunning-Kruger effect" and Imposter Syndrome.- What does a healthy relationship with technology look and feel like?- Coach development sitting at the top of the ultimate self-actualisation.Timestamps;00:00 - 05:54 - HeadCoach05:55 - 10:23 - Chimp Empire10:24 - 19:04 - Cooperation19:05 - 30:25 - Team Development30:26 - 45:59 - Confidence v Competence46:00 - 53:47 - Wellbeing53:48 - 57:35 - Coaching57:36 - 1:03:26 - Evolution1:03:27 - 1:07:42 - Technology1:07:43 - 1:15:01 - AdviceHeadCoach App; https://www.headcoach.app/Jonathon's LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-o-neill-3b0a95b9/Transcend book; https://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Self-Actualization-Scott-Barry-Kaufman/dp/0143131206Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

"There is always a next step..." Darren Powell's mantra for player development is too something which he holds close to his heart. Now the Director of Player Development for Inter Miami Darren is responsible for overseeing the transition of players from their MLS Next side into the professional game. Understandably and not entirely an exact science, Darren and Inter Miami have received plaudits galore for their shrewd judgment in the ascent of as many as 6 homegrowns to the pro ranks recently. Listen to find out more including; - College soccer as a character building experience. - Creating a player's IPP through understanding their motivational trigger points. - How Darren envisages the composition of MLS squads will evolve? - Understanding the not so exacts science as to when to accelerate a player's pathway? - What Darren learned by studying how the greats get to top in their chosen field? Timestamps; 00:00 - 04:44 - Intro 04:45 - 11:06 - USA 11:07 - 18:01 - Inter Miami 18:02 - 26:43 - Modern Player 26:44 - 28:27 -Advice

"Adapt or else...." Yiannis Tsalatsidis is the Technical Director & First Team Coach of FC London. In this specially recorded podcast Yiannis takes us on quite the football journey through his lens over the course of 2 hours. Empowered by a duty to develop beyond the regular realm Yiannis' work can best be described as player centred. Armed by this mission, it is with this very unique and compelling picture of the future we frame Yiannis' journey and explore the evolution of the future game. Firmly embedded in the development of tomorrow's player what trends in the modern game does Yiannis observe which will have monumental impacts in shaping the game going forward? Learn as to how this has been influenced from wide ranging references such as Zidane to rhythm in music and his study of complex adaptive systems. However before one goes forward one must return to the roots. Listen to find out more including; - What influences the type of football Yiannis likes? - Character development, embedded in talent identification and it's foundation in developing players. - Creating a culture of curiosity and aligning a player development model across a whole club from mini's to adults. - Seeing situations as energy and how that influences interactions with players. - How top managers are working to implement micro adaptations into their model? - IPP work beyond the field in raising self and situational awareness. - The critical performance window in which we are missing in talent development? - Solving the accessibility issue of football and the wide ranging impacts this will have on the growth of the game worldwide. Get in touch; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1... lang=en YouTube; / @thelowdownpod Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Ravi Ramineni is the co-founder and CEO of src | ftbl. He has also been at the forefront of the football analytics boom over the last decade.A former employee of Bing and Microsoft Ravi played a huge role in the success of the Seattle Sounders organisation rapidly ascending from analyst to VP in the organisation.In his own words the journey has been “a steep learning curve” and here Ravi reflects on what brought him here to the present day. From leaving building data pipelines out of a Starbucks or leading a multi million dollar sporting department Ravi has taken the long road. With football at the source and Ravi is still adamant that we are still at the infancy of the football analytics boom.Here there are insights galore for everyone.Listen to find out more including;- Ray Hudson, dial ins and the early days forging a career in football- Building data pipelines and early days working on GPS data at Starbucks.- Understanding what skill sets are “low supply & high demand”.- Founding SRC FTBL and what he believes the knock on impact this will have for the worldwide analytics culture?- The ideal coach - analyst relationship.- Quantifying your game model and the significance this has throughout the organisation.Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

"High Performance comes from the mindset of it cannot be done alone."Today's guest is Max Lankheit, Head of Performance & Innovation at the Philadelphia Union. Working across the Bundesliga, MLS with a stint in MLB, Max has over a decade's worth experience in sporting performance.Finding his true passion in building and leading teams, Max joins us on the show today to share some principles guiding his style of leadership and as to how to effect change in organisations across a variety of realms.A timely and inspirational listen, there are lessons in Max' message for everyone.Listen to find out more including;- Principles for change management when already successful?- High Performance as a collective mindset not an individual action.- The difference between leadership and management?- Creating an environment where innovation thrives.- Reflecting as a leader day in, day out to stay on the right path.Timestamps;00:00 - 06:54 - Intro06:55 - 11:01 - High Performance11:02 - 19:15 - St Pauli19:16 - 27:56 - Leadership27:57 - 42:34 - Philadelphia Union42:35 - 50:50 - Evolution50:51 - 54:22 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

In 1995 Bruno Costa was a budding 15 year old intern departing home with the aim of working in professional football.What ensued has been a story of movie like proportions taking us from the Amazon rainforest to Silicon Valley featuring a supporting cast of Brazilian legends.Amid political turmoil and public scrutiny in his early years as a leader Bruno has succeeded in helping proliferate the Brazilian of young talent and spearhead several projects to International, Olympic, Continental and Domestic success.Now in his role as Director of Scouting & Recruitment at the San Jose Earthquakes he joins us to open up candidly about his story.Listen to find out more including;- The trials and tribulations working as Chief Scout for the Brazilian federation.- Learning to lead as a 26 year old Technical Director at Fluminense.- Recouping $100m+ in sales over a 3 year period at Fluminense.- Building the 4 year project which ended in Brazilian gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.- How San Jose Earthquakes protect player & coach pathways through fit & alignment?- Altering identification practices in the MLS to acquire undervalued talent.Timestamps;00:00 - 12:39 - The Journey12:40 - 17:00 - Mentors17:01 - 33:23 - Leadership33:24 - 41:07 - Fit & Alignment41:08 - 1:05:09 - Pathways1:05:10 - 1:08:15 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

"There is no point in being a creative when you are fearful."Today I am joined by the magical Pat Nevin. The former Scottish international who amassed 850+ appearances playing for the likes of Chelsea, Everton and Tranmere.Known widely today for his work in broadcasting Pat was a player beyond his time and an influential figure in his playing days.His latest book "Football & How to Survive it" is a memoir regarding the second half of his playing career and into the boardroom. From the boardroom at Motherwell to dealing with Cantona's kung-fu kick as PFA Chairman.This game will try to change and test you however Pat continued to preserve the true essence of"loving it for the purity of the art". An inspirational and equally timely listen.Listen to find out more including;- Feeling an outsider in professional environments and surviving it.- How college nearly scuppered a move to Chelsea in the 1980's?- Pat's novel idea for dealing with fame?- Would such longevity be possible without a strong sense of identity beyond the white lines?- Keeping your self worth as a player intact amid a never ending turnover of managers.- Dealing with Eric Canton'a kung-fu kick as PFA Chairman.Timestamps;00:00 - 05:57 - Intro05:58 - 09:57 - Childhood09:58 - 15:34 - Overcoming Fear15:35 - 26:17 - Chelsea26:18 - 32:45 - Longevity32:46 - 49:16 - Boardroom49:17 - 52:01 - Broadcasting52:02 - 1:04:14 - Football & How to survive itGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Over 25 years ago Marc Nicholls arrived in the US from the UK with a suitcase and aspiration to coach in football full time. All these years later he is held in high regard as one of the most esteemed player and coach developers on the North American continent.Wearing many different hats he soon became aquainted with the North American game and his work was recognised being named U.S. Soccer Academy Coach of the Year twice preceding his move to the Seattle Sounders to become their Academy Director.As he climbed the leadership ranks at Seattle Sounders and Charlotte he always retained the belief in providing talent with a pathway. Now located in the "spiritual home" of US Soccer he serves as Technical Director for the Columbus Crew leading their "One Club" project.Here we dive into everything from the MLS' continued rise, how to best maximise returns on academy prospects, the work that goes into protecting player pathways and so much more.Listen to find out more including;- Creating a culture of development at the Seattle Sounders.- Protecting player pathways as the league grows into becoming "a league of choice".- Altering strategy to remain competitive with the best of the league.- How to be strategic and maximise your return on academy prospects?- How his leadership style has had to evolve between clubs?- Columbus Crew "One Club Project" and inside the club's recent evolution.Timestamps;00:00 - 04:00 - Intro04:01 - 09:05 - USA09:06 - 15:00 - Seattle Sounders15:01 - 24:54 - Strategic Gap24:55 - 32:23 - Columbus Crew32:24 - 41:40 - Leadership41:41 - 44:06 - MLS Future44:07 - 46:09 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

"I believe we can teach people anything but we cannot teach them culture".Sharona Friedman is the President of the Global Institute of Sport (GIS).Now partnered with UCFB, Sharona was part of the team that launched the world's first football university. In the space of 11 years it has grown from 53 - 3,000 students with multiple campuses in the UK such as Wembley and the Etihad. Furthermore it has staged summits worldwide including the likes of New York, Toronto and Melbourne. Sharona and her team have been relentless in their efforts turning GIS into a global leading educational institution.On the back of their recent Melbourne summit it was apt time to interview Sharona and learn more about the secrets behind GIS continued success. In a changing world how have they managed to stay on top and more so continue to innovate? What started as solving an initial supply and demand problem has transformed into an entire eco-system dedicated towards bettering the education of sporting professionals worldwide.Listen to find out more including;- The reasons behind UCFB's early success?- Solving the accessibility issue of third level education.- Navigating change and GIS' plans to "remain ahead of the puck"?- The legacy of the recent Women's World Cup?- Authenticity and building long term relationships and partnerships. - How students can future proof their careers in the game?Timestamps;00:00 - 04:30 - Intro04:31 - 12:49 - UCFB12:50 - 16:12 - Culture16:13 - 21:38 - Accessibility21:39 - 30:01 - Evolution30:02 - 42:50 - Women's World Cup42:51 - 47:14 - Partnerships47:15 - 53:26 - AdviceSharona's LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonafriedman/GIS; https://gis.sport/