Kick Off With Jamie Mccreedy

Gabriele Cioffi joined Jamie McCreedy on Inside The Mind Of to dive into his incredible career across Italy, England, Australia, and the UAE. From his playing days at Mantova, Torino, Ascoli, and Carpi to his coaching journey with clubs like Birmingham City, Crawley Town, Udinese, and Hellas Verona, Cioffi has seen it all.

In this conversation, he reflects on:Winning promotion as a player and captaining Carpi.Life as Gianfranco Zola’s assistant at Birmingham City during a turbulent Championship season.Keeping Crawley Town in League Two and masterminding a famous EFL Cup win over Norwich City.His time at Udinese, stepping up in Serie A to beat Lazio, and guiding the club to safety.The challenges of managing Hellas Verona and returning to Udinese for a second spell in 2023–24.Cioffi shares the lessons he’s learned, the players who stood out, and the moments that defined his journey. A must-watch for anyone passionate about football, coaching, and the realities of life in the game.

Jon Grey’s journey through football is a story of loyalty, development, and stepping onto the international stage. Starting as a scholar at Swansea City, Grey signed his first professional contract in 1996 before injury cut his playing career short. He returned to the club as a part-time coach in 2009, eventually moving into a full-time role by 2012. Over the next decade, he held key academy positions including Under-18s Lead Coach, Head of Coaching, Academy Manager, and later U21s Lead, where he worked closely with Anthony Wright. During this time, Grey played a vital role in nurturing some of Swansea’s brightest talents, helping shape the careers of players like Connor Roberts, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Dan James, Joe Allen, Ben Cabango, and Ollie Cooper, many of whom went on to represent Wales at the 2022 World Cup. After 45 years tied to Swansea, he made the bold move to join the Football Association of Wales in 2023 as Assistant Coach of the Wales Women’s National Team. Following Gemma Grainger’s departure, Grey stepped in as interim head coach, leading Wales to a memorable win over the Republic of Ireland and giving first call-ups to several uncapped players. His story is one of dedication, progression, and creating clear pathways for the next generation—both at club and international level.

Eduardo Moreira has built a fascinating career in football, spanning both Portugal and international football, with experience across youth development, senior coaching, and technical leadership roles. His journey began in the Portuguese game, progressing through youth academies and assistant roles before stepping into head coaching positions.

He worked with clubs including Boavista, Varzim SC, SC Covilhã, and Moreirense, gaining recognition for his ability to develop players and adapt to different competitive environments. During his time at Moreirense (2019–2020), he served as Head Coach and guided the team through a challenging campaign in Portugal’s top division, managing the pressure of Primeira Liga football. Earlier, he also contributed to the growth of Arouca, AD Sanjoanense, and Cesarense, further building his reputation as a coach able to balance tactical demands with player development.

Beyond Portugal, Eduardo expanded his career into international settings, taking his expertise abroad to France with US Créteil-Lusitanos and later working in diverse environments that tested his adaptability and broadened his tactical knowledge. His pathway reflects a mix of resilience, tactical innovation, and a deep commitment to player growth.

Eduardo Moreira joined the podcast to share insights from his coaching journey, the challenges of working across different leagues, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Jack Saunders’ football journey is a story of resilience, development, and seizing opportunities across non-league football. He began as a scholar at Welling United, where his early potential and work ethic stood out before making the switch to Dorking Wanderers B for the 2022–23 season. At Dorking, he quickly established himself as one of the B team’s standout performers, playing a pivotal role in their third-place league finish and cup runs, which earned him a first-team contract the following summer. To gain valuable senior experience, Saunders went on loan to Redhill, before moving to Ashford United, where his energy, versatility, and football intelligence were praised by manager Danny Kedwell. Despite a setback with a dislocated shoulder that cut his loan short, Saunders bounced back, returning to Dorking Wanderers for the 2024–25 season. Already featuring in a National League win over Tonbridge Angels, he continues to grow as part of a Wanderers side pushing to climb the table after a mixed start. In this interview, we dive into his journey through academy football, the challenges of non-league development, his ambitions for the future, and what it takes to break into the senior game.

In this episode of Inside The Mind Of, we sit down with Serbian coach Nikola Lazarević, a UEFA Pro Licence holder whose career has spanned multiple countries and top-level competitions. Starting his coaching journey at just 21, Lazarević first worked as an assistant at Car Konstantin and Radnički Niš in Serbia before taking his expertise abroad. He became part of FC Istiklol’s coaching staff in Tajikistan, contributing to domestic league and cup triumphs, as well as an historic AFC Cup runners-up finish. Lazarević also assisted the Tajikistan National Team during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, guiding the side through competitive fixtures against teams like Australia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, and Bangladesh. His first head coach roles included returning to Car Konstantin, managing FK Cetinje in Montenegro, and leading FK Khujand to the Tajik Super Cup and AFC Cup participation. He later expanded his influence in China with Shenzhen FC youth and the BSU Football Club project, collaborated with top figures including Joan Laporta and Víctor Muñoz, and held positions in Libya with Al-Nasr SC and Saudi Arabia with Al Taawoun FC. Lazarević also made an impact in Uzbekistan as head coach of Qizilqum Zarafshon before returning to Istiklol to secure another Supercup. Join us as we explore the strategies, challenges, and achievements that have made Lazarević one of the most respected coaches in Central Asian football.

Join us as we dive into the career of Josh Rees, a dynamic midfielder currently playing for Hornchurch in the National League South. Josh’s journey began in the Arsenal academy, progressing through the youth ranks before experiencing early loan spells at Brentford Development Squad. He then moved to Nottingham Forest, making his Championship debut in 2014 and gaining experience on loan at Nuneaton Town and Torquay United in the National League. Josh’s career took off in non-league football with Chelmsford City, where he helped win the Essex Senior Cup, before moving to Bromley, becoming a key player and reaching the 2018 FA Trophy Final. He returned to the Football League with Gillingham, then went back to Bromley and later joined Aldershot Town, earning Player of the Season recognition. Stints at Boreham Wood and Dagenham & Redbridge showcased his goal-scoring prowess from midfield, consistently performing in the National League and contributing to strong league finishes and playoff campaigns. In May 2025, Josh joined Hornchurch, bringing his wealth of experience to the National League South. With nearly 100 career goals and a first-class Sports Science degree, Josh’s story highlights resilience, adaptability, and success across both league and non-league football.

Join us as we dive into the journey of Marios Sideras, a former Cypriot first-division footballer turned ambitious coach. Marios began his playing career at Apollon Limassol, impressing at U15 level with 10 goals and 13 assists, before moving to Karmiotissa, where he shone in the U17, U19, and U21 teams, recording impressive goal and assist stats while gaining first-team experience. Passionate about leadership, he captained nearly every side he played in, showing a natural knack for creating attacking opportunities. Pursuing his academic and coaching ambitions, Marios studied Football Coaching and Management at UCFB Etihad Campus, representing the university team while honing his tactical knowledge. Following graduation, he returned to Cyprus to join Aris Limassol Academy as U16 head coach and U17 assistant, meticulously planning sessions, reviewing performance footage, and developing young talent. This episode explores his transition from player to coach, the challenges of youth development, and his vision for shaping the next generation of footballers.

Siniša Antoan Cohadzić is the current manager of South Melbourne FC, a club with a rich history in Australian football. Under his leadership, the team has shown resilience and tactical discipline, reflecting his deep understanding of the game. Cohadzić's journey from player to coach exemplifies his commitment to the sport and his ability to adapt and lead at the highest levels.

Join us as we dive into the fascinating journey of Saša Kolman, former Slovenian player turned international coach. From his early days at Tolmin, moving through clubs like Nafta Lendava, Primorje, and Suðuroy, to managing South Melbourne Hellas and Gorica, Saša shares the challenges, lessons, and milestones that shaped his career.

Now at the helm of Slovenia’s women’s national team, he’s leading a new generation of players on the international stage. Discover how his experiences as a player-coach and manager across different countries shaped his approach, mindset, and ambition. Whether you’re a fan of football tactics, coaching journeys, or inspirational stories, this episode takes you inside the mind of one of Slovenia’s rising coaching talents.

In this episode of Inside The Mind Of, Jamie McCreedy sits down with Bobby-Joe Taylor, an experienced English professional footballer who has played across the National League, Isthmian League and now lines up for Farnham Town in the Southern League Premier Division South.From coming through the youth ranks at Chelsea, Gillingham, and Cambridge United, to making his mark at Maidstone United with promotion glory, Bobby-Joe has enjoyed a career full of highs, challenges, and memorable moments. He opens up about his time at clubs including Aldershot Town, Dover Athletic, Ebbsfleet United, and a key role in Dorking Wanderers’ historic promotion to the National League.We talk about:⚽ Breaking through at Cambridge & making his Football League debut⚽ Play-off success and England C recognition at Maidstone United⚽ Life in non-league football and lessons learned across multiple clubs⚽ Recent move to Farnham Town and ambitions for the futureBobby-Joe’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and passion for the game. Whether you’re a football fan, player, or coach, this conversation gives a unique insight into the journey of a modern non-league professional.📌 Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more exclusive football interviews on Inside The Mind Of!#marcwhite #dorking