The Lowdown

Today I am delighted to be joined by esteemed football executive Adrian Bevington.

In today's episode we cover Adrian's 10 lessons in leadership from building sporting departments throughout his career. Drawing on his experience working at the FA, FAW, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough we delve into what it truly takes to work at the top.

Listen to find out more including;

- What does operational excellence look like?

- The logistical demands of a World Cup and how change is navigated.

- Inside the appointment of Gareth Southgate as England manager.<...

Today I am delighted to be joined by Red Bull Bragantino Academy Director; Victor Passeri. I have been fortunate to get to know Victor as part of this years MBA cohort with the ASD.

This episode provides brilliant insight into technical leadership within a Brazilian context. From an early apprenticeship at FC Porto and Palmeiras Victor explains how he’s able to apply a generalist’s frame to his day to day work within the Academy.

Listen to find out more including;

- How different roles shaped his understanding of leadership?

- Fi...

Today we celebrate the 200th episode of The Lowdown with a special World Cup episode with David Garcia & Bernat Mosquera. With 106 games down and fresh from watching Brazil v Japan we review the action thus far,

Listen to find out more including;

- Has the move to a 48 team competition made for a better watch?

- Why we all see Colombia as potential dark horses?

- The mid block and attacking transition strategies that are defining this World Cup.

- How the favorites approach squad usage and what that...

In this episode, we sit down with Oliver Denhardt to explore his journey from the early days of performance analysis and scouting to helping shape the future of football intelligence. Having worked within leading environments including AFC Ajax and FC Copenhagen, Oliver shares the lessons he learned from talent identification, recruitment processes, and understanding what separates elite decision-making from the rest of the industry.

We also dive into the growth of Eyeball, a platform now covering thousands of clubs across dozens of countries, and discuss how technology is changing scouting, recruitment, and football operations. From video scoring...

The countdown is almost over as the biggest FIFA World Cup in history arrives across the United States, Canada and Mexico. With 48 teams, three host nations and an expanded format, the 2026 tournament promises to be unlike anything football has seen before. Liam Tharme and I discuss whether the scale of the event will elevate the spectacle, the challenges presented by travel, climate and scheduling, and how the never-ending football calendar continues to fuel the debate around player workload and the balance between club and international football. Alongside our predictions, we explore the tactical trends, key group-stage fixtures and knockout...

In this episode, we sit down with Tomasz Cybulski, co-founder of ProTrainUp, to explore the evolution of sports technology, performance analysis, and building a startup within elite sport. Tomasz reflects on the early stages of ProTrainUp, where the company began, and how the original vision has evolved through years of working directly with clubs, coaches, and federations across different countries and sporting environments.

The conversation dives into the realities of scaling a sports tech company in a rapidly changing industry, the importance of understanding club workflows and operational culture, and how co-design with practitioners has shaped the...

In this episode, Carsten Dohm shares lessons from over 30 years in coaching, from his earliest football memories to building a philosophy centered on developing the person before the player. He explores what it takes to produce “A+ players,” while emphasizing the importance of long-term development over early performance outcomes. His approach focuses on creating environments for accelerated learning, deliberate practice, and maximizing the “golden window” of development.

Drawing on his experience helping shape San Diego FC, Carsten reflects on the challenges of youth development in the U.S. and the importance of designing integrated learning ecosystems that combine...

"Is football becoming less of a spectacle?"

On his return to the show Paul McGuinness explores whether modern football is losing its creative edge, drawing on his experience developing elite players at Manchester United and working across the Premier League. The conversation examines the effects early specialization, results-driven environments and increasingly structured tactical systems are having on player development.

Paul also dives into how coaching can either nurture or suppress creativity, emphasizing the importance of “flow” in player development and the challenge of balancing structure with freedom in academy environments. He reflects on the risks of a...

In this episode, we sit down with coach developer Russell Earnshaw, whose work spans elite environments including Liverpool FC, England Rugby, the Premier League, and New Zealand Sevens.

This conversation explores what it really means to optimize for impact in coaching—moving beyond busy work to focus on the moments that truly matter. Russell shares how coaches can better plan their weeks around energy and time, rather than just schedules, and why treating CPD (continuous professional development) like a second job is essential for long-term growth.

We also dive into the role of playfulness and ex...

John O’Rourke, President of the North American Irish Coaches Association, joins the show to discuss the growing influence of Irish coaches across the United States and Canada. The association’s mission is to serve, connect, and elevate Irish coaches throughout North America.

Having arrived in the U.S. 33 years ago, John has worked at every level of the game and has witnessed the sport’s growth in America firsthand. In this episode, we explore how the game has developed over the decades and the significant role Irish coaches have played in that journey. Furthermore, we also discus...

"Today is the slowest day of technological change we have experienced in our lives."

In this episode, Gareth Quinn shares his journey from working in nightlife and politics into the business world, and how those experiences helped shape the foundations of Kairos. He reflects on the early growth of the startup, the challenge of overcoming confirmation bias in football, and the push to introduce more objective, data-driven thinking in elite sport. The conversation also explores Kairos’ work in high-performance environments, including contributions connected to the Ryder Cup and South Africa’s victory at the Rugby World Cup 2019, and...

In this episode, we sit down with Sean Paul Murray from the Irish Football Association (IFA) for a deep dive into the evolution of coach education, leadership, and the power of intentional learning design.

Sean shares his journey from his earliest memories in football to shaping coach development structures that prioritize people over PowerPoints. This conversation explores what great environments look like, how emotional intelligence influences leadership, and what the future holds for coach education.

Listen to find out more including;

- How we should rethink coach education structures?

- What...

In this episode, we sit down with Cristina Fink, former Olympic athlete and performance psychologist, to explore what it really takes to perform at a high level — not just in sport, but in life. Drawing from her experience competing on the world’s biggest stage in Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992 and working with elite performers, Cristina shares how mindset, resilience, and identity shape sustainable success.

We dive into pressure, setbacks, leadership, and mental health, unpacking practical tools listeners can use immediately. This conversation is about moving beyond outcomes and redefining what high performance and fulfillment actually look like. Delv...

In this episode, we sit down with Martin Foyston whose journey into football leadership didn’t start on the pitch—but in film studies. From early days using analysis as a competitive edge, to learning under elite mentors like Roy Hodgson, to taking bold career risks that led to over a decade as a head coach in Scandinavia, this conversation explores the human side of modern coaching.

We dive into the highs of historic promotions, the importance of culture when success arrives, and the lows that come with being sacked. Now, for the first time in a whil...

What's it like to be the youngest Director of Performance in the Top 5 leagues in Europe? Furthermore what is it also like when your role also entails being the Assistant Coach readying your players for weekly Bundesliga games?

Today we are joined by Hamburg's Director of Performance & Assistant Coach; Basil More-Chevalier. He discusses the influences that sparked his curiosity to merge neuroscience with football, and how his time at Lyon, across multiple roles, helped form his thinking around methodology, learning, and developing players coming through the system.

In his current role at Hamburg, Basil shares...

In this episode, we sit down with Jonas Munkvold; First Team Recruitment Analyst with Bournemouth & Analyst with the IFA whose coaching journey offers a window into how football minds are shaped. He explains how writing and deep reflection on the game helped him clarify his ideas, sharpen his thinking, and develop a more considered approach to coaching and analysis.

The conversation explores the growing prominence of the coach/analyst hybrid role, with Jonas sharing how he has seen this space evolve over time and what it now demands from practitioners. We also dive into the idea of...

Next summer Haiti and Gabriel Calderon will compete in the 2026 World Cup. It is the latest chapter in the Calderon's family relationship with the trophy. As a four year old inspired by watching his father in the 1990 World Cup Final Gabriel had his mind set on etching his own mark on the game.

A childhood spent across France, Spain and the Middle East has shaped Gabriel's worldview, leadership style and understanding of the game beyond the touchline. Forging his trade across several Spanish clubs gave Gabriel the tools to lead prior to embarking on a leadership role...

It was not long into Simone Lewis' sporting career where she first realised that developing people skills were as if not more important than developing one's craft knowledge.

Through her work at the Premier League, Right to Dream and elsewhere she has cultivated a reputation for developing transformational change amongst leaders with purpose, performance and wellbeing all equally important as another.

The following episode is a deep dive into the behaviours and habits one must embody to bring that change to life. In a world with attention at a premium Simone goes deep on how...

“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...

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 leader...

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 fin...

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...

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 “Be...

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...

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.

- Ho...

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.

List...

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...

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 loca...

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 excite...

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 te...

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 acro...

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 th...

" 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 syst...

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 developmen...

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...

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.

"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...

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...

Adam Mooi is the Technical Director of Newfoundland & Labrador Soccer.

As a young leader Adam has been responsible for designing and implementing game models, coaching education, building out games programmes, elevating current programmes, formalising player development processes amongst so much more.

A journey which has took Adam across his homeland working in a vast array of different markets, here he shares with us his thoughts and processes on the multi-faceted nature of his job whilst unpacking so much more. For any young coach on the path or transitioning to a leadership position this is a...

"To be quick but don't hurry"

Famous words spoken by legendary basketball coach John Wooden yet a quote which today's guest Matt Jordan lives by. Having connected with Matt at January's ASD summit in Chicago I was compelled to invite him on the podcast. Making the transition from playing to front office is becoming a more widely popular route for many footballers nowadays. Matt was one of the earliest pioneers years ago retiring from his playing duties at CF Montreal to becoming it's Technical Director.

The following conversation provides remarkable insight into his current role...