THE LOWDOWN

"There is no universal truth, only one's own path"Adrien Tarascon is a name many will be familiar with in French football and beyond. Renowned for his work in individual development Adrien holds a unique role balancing the bigger picture for player development in the midst of the unquenchable taste for short term success in elite European football.Creating a competency model per position stacked with KPI's under Tuchel, gamifying the process and in the process fine tuning relationships between players such as Mbappe and their metrics it is little wonder why PSG were the envy of top European clubs for their approach to data. Furthermore here we discuss where the future of player development lies, the common characteristics Adrien sees in top performers and what sets Thomas Tuchel and his staff apart from the other coaches which he was worked under.Listen to find out more including;- How a varied skillset created a niche in data scouting?- Data scouting and how it effected Mbappe's position on the field?- How the breakthrough in player development occurred at PSG?- Learning the methodical approach of Tuchel & Emery- Data tuning & enhancing player trading value- Adrien's gripe with learning models in footballTimestamps;00:00 - 03:16 - Intro03:17 - 08:58 - Data Scouting08:59 - 14:45 - Communication14:46 - 21:41 - Player Development21:42 - 28:14 - Data Tuning28:15 - 33:56 - Adaptability33:57 - 35:35 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwalsh95?lang=enYouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Playing the long game, investing in it's youth, breaking down barriers citywide it is fair to say today's guest Nick Mulvaney and Chicago City soccer club have not skipped any steps in transitioning between academy to first team level. Competing with the Chicago sports scene, City have had to be different and it is in community in which they have found their competitive advantage. Through alignment between academy and first team in the process individualising each player and staff's development pathway, City have been applauded for their investment in people. Learn here how Nick seeks to expand on this with community at the forefront.Listen to find out more including;- How Chicago City break down barriers in the local community?- Player development beyond the elite players.- Managing expectations with parents through individualising pathways and development.- What is their competitive advantage versus other sports teams in the city?- How thorough their squad and succession planning is for their USL teams.- Plans for future growth and expansion within Chicago.Timestamps;00:00 - 02:36 - Intro02:37 - 09:21 - Chicago City09:22 - 17:01 - Player Development17:02 - 24:05 - USL24:06 - 32:23 - Inspirations & Learning32:24 - 37:31 - AdviceNick' LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-mulvaney-7b68a127/Chicago City; https://www.chicagocitysoccerclub.com/Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwalsh95?lang=enYouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Recently it was a pleasure to spend time in the company of one of the game's most renowned youth developers in Paul McGuinness. With 20+ years at Manchester United Paul oversaw 90 academy prospects making their first team United debut with 20+ playing international football. A childhood impacted by the spin of the ball, Paul seeks to speak to the child in coaches and players with his approach to individual development within the team environment. A very important episode for those who are invested in the training process.Listen to find out more including;- The culture behind youth development at Man United.- Why modern football is not the most stable environment for development.- Sir Alex Ferguson and the art of connection.- The individual approach within the team context.- "What is tactically feasible must be technically possible."Timestamps;00:00 - 03:27 - Intro03:28 - 09:52 - Man United09:53 - 13:19 - Sir Alex Ferguson13:20 - 24:50 - Inter Disciplinary Approach24:51 - 31:22 - Rashford's Development31:23 - 39:29 - Understanding the player39:30 - 47:21 - Evolution47:22 - 51:19 - AdviceGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwalsh95?lang=enYouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

Dr. Ceri Bowley, a former Head of Methodology at City Football Group and ex-Rangers First Team Coach, shares his journey from player to coach. He discusses how psychological struggles fueled his desire to understand the mental aspects of sports. Dr. Bowley emphasizes that personal stability is crucial for consistent performance and the importance of tailored communication. He also reflects on the coaching challenges he faced globally, advocating for lifelong learning and the optimization of coaching techniques to unlock players' full potential.

The best Technical Directors in Football need to be solution minded. With a "360 Skillset" complimented by a buffet of experiences across various corners of the world Mads Davidsen is well renowned in football circles for his strategizing and execution behind the scenes.Seeking a position not just contingent on Saturday's results? Found it.Searching for the book he wanted to read on Football strategy? Wrote it.Finding a club that plays the "infinite game"? A never ending journey of exploring purpose combined with good mentors along the way has made for quite the career arc. As Mads settles into his new role as "Head of Football" for Right to Dream he joined me to discuss his journey to date and why this role "adds percentages otherwise unexplored."Listen to find out more including;- How has Mads' why changed over time?- How Sven Goran Eriksson altered the trajectory of Mads' career?- The influence of Andre Villas-Boas & Vítor Pereira. - Laying foundations for success at Al Jazirra.- Writing the book he was searching to read.- Inside RTD and how the mission underpins everything.- What is required of the modern day coach?Timestamps;00:00 - 02:10 - Intro02:11 - 11:36 - Why?11:37 - 16:03 - Mentors16:04 - 28:03 - How hard can it be?28:04 - 36:33 - Right to DreamMads' Twitter; https://twitter.com/MadsReDavidsen?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor"How hard can it be?" Book; https://www.amazon.com/How-Hard-Can-Mads-Davidsen-ebook/dp/B09F2WPKPY/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=how+hard+can+it+be%3F&qid=1670882377&sr=8-9Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/ LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-walsh-847b08127/Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwalsh95?lang=enYouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

As the 2023 Mina Cup gets underway this weekend I was delighted to sit down with it's founder; Chris Brown for a wide ranging chat on it's inception and place within Dubai football. Chris is someone who has had a front row seat at the heart of Dubai's growth and it's footballing industry over the past 19 years. In our 40 minute chat learn more about the origins of the Mina Cup, what the UAE can do better in relation to youth development and the growth of CBF. Listen to find out more including;- Transitioning into life post playing.- Building a business in Dubai and the challenges which that entails.- What fans can expect to see from the Mina Cup this April?- The growth of CBF and it's footing within UAE football.- How the UAE can reform youth development within the region?Timestamps;00:00 - 06:21 - Intro06:22 - 12:14 - Dubai12:15 - 20:06 - CBF20:07 - 30:09 - Mina Cup30:10 - 36:55 - UAE Football36:56 - 40:16 - AdviceChris' LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-brown-57139b14/CBF; https://cbfootballmanagement.com/Get in touch; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwalsh95?lang=en YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

"It is in destabilization and movement and not stability and fixedness that reality finds opportunities to develop in interesting and unpredictable ways".Argentina's recent World Cup success represented a shift in the eco system of World Football. Football after all is a cultural expression however lately the local forces in which the game emerged have been usurped by global idealism as to how the game ought to be played. "Without a vibrant, bubbling multiplicity of footballing realities interacting with each other the game becomes stagnant, mineralised in its current state, fossilised and frozen in time." The Argentine's crowning glory saw the universalization of the European positionist approach meeting "La Nuestra" (our way) of the Argentinian's and came up short. Is this triumph of localism a one off success?Is it happening elsewhere?Have we reached Year Zero and the dawn of a new beginning?Esteemed tactics writer and football coach; Jamie Hamilton joins me to discuss all the above and so much more.Listen to find out more including;- The issue with treating football tactics as a problem to be solved. - Juanma Lillo and the homogenisation of football. - How people misconstrue Total Football?- Fluminense, Napoli and the dawn of a new era.-Messi, Van Gaal and the altercation which encapsulates the tension between two counter schools of football.Timestamps;00:00 - 05:43 - Intro05:44 - 11:42 - Theory v Practice11:43 - 15:55 - Consumption of Football15:56 - 23:15 - Total Football23:16 - 31:30 - Relationist Approach31:31 - 43:02 - La Nuestra43:03 - 49:41 - New Age49:42 - 58:04 - CoachingJamie's Twitter; https://twitter.com/stirling_j?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorJamie's Medium; https://medium.com/@stirlingj1982

Four Nations Football Consulting are a Barcelona-based international consulting company founded by experienced professionals, who hail from Europe, Middle East and Africa. Coming from different nations and cultures and through their network of contacts, collaborators and partners, they provide a wealth of international business experience and football knowledge. Today I had the pleasure to be joined by their co-founder and managing partner; Guillermo Perez. We discussed a range of topics from the current investment climate, multi-club ownership schemes to sustainability in football.Listen to find out more including;- How their investment advisory services work?- The extensive market analysis and due diligence which occurs before proceeding with an investment. - Why European clubs are specifically attractive for US investors?- MCO's; general trends, advantages and disadvantages.- Is Financial Fair Play dead? or does the regulation need tweaking?-FC Barcelona and their financial levers.Timestamps;00:00 - 03:37 - Intro03:38 - 06:37 - Investment Advisory06:38 - 12:49 - Due Diligence12:50 - 20:03 - MCO's20:04 - 32:32 - FFP32:33 - 34:17 - AdviceWebsite; https://www.fournations.football/

"I don't want to know everything of one thing, I want to know one thing of everything."Jeroen Peters is today's guest on "The Lowdown". As someone who is responsible for overseeing the high performance department at FC Utrecht the job is becoming increasingly more and more cross disciplinary. As the game evolves continuously through innovation and technology there has been sometimes a disregard for the humane element of the game. The small steps to change a culture begin in house and the energy transferred amongst colleagues. Discomfort is inevitable yet there is magic going through it as a team. With a shared end in mind there is no limit to what a group can achieve. Listen to find out more including;- Detaching self from the bigger picture and see the nitty gritty details.- Where you begin bringing a performance philosophy into a team?- A performance culture invested in developing the professional and the individual.- Why and how the process of 1% gains emanates from working together towards a shared goal?- Why the art of good conversation looks hard on content soft on people.- How in house departments are preparing for the next evolution of the game.Timestamps;00:00 - 06:12 - Intro06:13 - 09:30 - High Performance09:31 - 17:00 - Culture17:01 - 23:15 - GRIT23:16 - 33:15 - 1% gains33:16 - 42:01 - Game demands42:02 - 44:16 - Advice

Delighted today to share the 100th episode of “The Lowdown” with a special recording with the Academy Director of New York Red Bulls; Sean McCafferty. One of the world's leaders in youth development sharing insight regarding their work. In this conversation find out why their identity won't be a crutch as the game evolves, their methodology behind developing young players and Sean's own investment in the area which he believes lies the largest room for growth in the game.Being an expert in patience without sacrificing the Red Bull identity of intensity.Listen to find out more including;- Their methodology behind youth development - The unique competitive advantages behind the economies of scale of a multi club network.- How they accelerated development through the professionalisation of the environment?- What steps are they taking to ensure the programme evolves to develop more whole rounded players?- Why we will return to player on the street?- The next big frontier for youth development.Timestamps;00:00 - 03:54 - Intro 03:55 - 08:27 - Barca 08:28 - 12:11 - Red Bull12:12 - 24:05 - Training model 24:06 - 32:49 - Cognitive development 32:50 - 36:47 - Game demands36:48 - 41:40 - Old wine in new bottles41:41 - 43:50 - Advice