If you're a football coach, player or parent of a young player or simply a fan of football you'll enjoy this. I speak to Edu Rubio who has coached at Valencia and Chelsea and now works as a technical consultant at Crystal Palace. The conversation flowed as we chatted about the challenges young academy footballers have and how to best support them. We unpick Edu's interest in Motivational Interviewing and how this has helped his coaching. We also discuss the role of the coach and parent in having a positive impact on young footballers.

Key Learning Points:

• Football and other elite sporting environments can be unhealthy environments to be in because of the constant comparison that occurs between players.
• As a coach how to use motivational interviewing to improve your coaching style.
• How to use motivational interviewing to build a psychologically safe environment.
• Cultures without ego or hierarchies can be very helpful.
• By protecting individuals from setbacks and challenges you will not be supporting an individual to optimise their potential and build their levels of resilience.
• Success is about being content within yourself and taking the learning from all situations.

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To Listen to Football or Soccer Podcast Episodes

Podcast Ep18: Kieron Brady - From Professional Football to Alcoholism Consultant

Podcast Episode Ep27: Natalie Henderson - How to Develop Mental Toughness with Young Footballers

Podcast Episode Ep43: Jamie Forrester - Thriving in Professional Football

Podcast Ep49: How Does Sport Psychology in Elite Football Academies Help - James Maurice

Podcast Ep51: Peter Ramage, Brendan Pearson and Julian Dowe - Why Talking Matters

Other Football or Soccer Resources

Psychology in Football or Soccer Podcasts

Psychology in Football or Soccer Blogs