Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

Click here to access Saul's presentation for FREE on MSC Insider: https://forms.gle/nEFQYuyxMMPXo7Vp8 This is one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast. Saul Isaksson-Hurst joins Gary Curneen to break down the reality of individual development in today’s game—and why so many players are plateauing despite working harder than ever. We get into the biggest misconceptions in coaching right now, including the idea that practice makes perfect, the over-reliance on game-based training, and the growing tension between club environments and individual training. Saul shares how elite players actually develop their technical level, why 20 minutes of focused work can outperform hours of unfocused training, and why coaches must find a better balance between opposed and unopposed work. We also dive into the explosion of individual coaching, the lack of quality control in the space, and why there is still a major gap in coach education when it comes to developing players on the ball. If you care about player development, this episode will challenge how you think about training. A huge thank you to Zone 14 Coaching for supporting the podcast. Their journals are designed to help coaches and players plan, reflect, and track development with real intention across the season. Check them out and use the code for a discount.

Martyn Bowles, Academy Manager and Head of Coaching at Walsall FC known for coach development and peer-mentoring, discusses human-centered development. He talks about authenticity, self-awareness, and how environment shapes coach identity. He outlines a unique opposite-pair peer-mentoring system, building trust, and practical tools for raising blind spots and analysing coach behaviour.

Joop Oosterveld, transition and development coach who’s worked at PSV and BK Häcken, explains why young elites stall. He describes raising session intensity, boxed operational spaces, underloaded pressing (3v7, 4v6) and skill-focused small-group work. He also covers building player self-awareness, flexible IDPs, and how to stretch talent into first-team readiness.

JP Owens, performance analyst for Ireland U17 Women and Shelbourne, specializes in centre-forward play and player development. He explains why many strikers struggle due to positional understanding. Conversations cover how forwards should dictate passes with pre-planned movements, integrating striker work across the squad, practical shadowing and peer feedback, and using concise video to build player-led development.

Tom Dent, First Team Assistant Coach at Vålerenga known for set-piece and tactical work, walks through the modern explosion of set plays. He explains why corners and restarts are now decisive. He outlines how to weave set pieces into game models, training and youth development. Practical culture and analysis tips are also discussed.

Olav Øverli, Academy Director at Bodø/Glimt who turns the club’s identity into everyday development. He breaks down the academy’s culture, non-negotiables and how curiosity shapes players. Short takes on balancing joy with professionalism, coaching across age stages, managing phones and feedback, and hiring for character.

Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer Sporting Director focused on long-term, player-centered development. He discusses why development must change at youth level. Conversations cover practice time versus showcases, protecting joy and psychological safety, avoiding win-at-all-costs pressure, and influencing the landscape through collaboration rather than mandates.

Bernat Mosquera, tactical analyst and coach focused on positional play and player development. He explores moving beyond rigid positions to playing what happens, the balance of generalists and specialists, how man-marking reshapes space, coaching uncertainty into clarity, and why rhythm and tempo may be football's next tactical frontier.

Read Dr. Kyle Ferguson's report here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19406940.2025.2583976#abstract Development is more than coaching sessions. It’s more than a curriculum. More than what happens for 75 minutes on a Tuesday night. And it’s definitely more than league position. In this episode, Dr. Kyle Ferguson joins Gary Curneen to explore what youth technical leadership really looks like in 2026. After an 18-month review of youth football systems, Kyle breaks down why the child must be at the center of everything — and why that requires more than better drills. We dive into governance, education, environment, and the game itself. Why one-size-fits-all coaching is holding development back. Why copying the Premier League model for kids misses the point. Why “fair minutes” might matter more than trophies. And why parent education is no longer optional. If you’re a coach, director, or club leader trying to build something sustainable — this conversation will challenge your thinking and stretch your leadership beyond the pitch. This is youth technical leadership done properly.

Haris Memisevic, Technical Director and Head of Coaching at Virginia Revolution, simplifies youth session design and coach development. He argues tempo does not equal learning. He explains using constraints and brief interventions to protect flow. He stresses freedom within a curriculum and why coach personality and adaptability shape young players' experiences.