The Lowdown

Neil Banfield is currently the Rangers first team assistant coach. Like many of the players he has coached over 30+ years in the game he has undergone quite a journey himself. A widely respected expert in player development and migration Neil's views of the game were largely molded by the 20+ years he spent at Arsenal.Alongside the likes of Arsene Wenger and Liam Brady, Neil was part of the coaching cohort that put together the infamous Elite Development Group which has formed the backbone of a successful number of graduates for Arsenal's first team. Here in this episode you will learn as to how the strength of a club's youth structure really is the underpinning of everything. Learn as to how Neil's career has come full circle now as he assists a former player of his in Michael Beale at Rangers. An unwavering passion for developing better people alongside footballers there are nuggets galore in this one.Listen to find out more including;- The importance of not skipping any steps in 0ne's coaching journey.- What exactly is "The Arsenal Way"?- How Arsenal consistently produced players year in year out?- Knowing when players are ready to step up to first team level.- Person first mentality when it comes to youth development.-Vieira, Arteta and Wilshere - why it's not always clear as to why certain players make the step up to management?-How does the Old Firm compare to the North London derby?Timestamps;00:00 - 04:30 - Intro04:31 - 08:17 - Arsenal08:18 - 19:11 - Elite Development Group19:12 - 23:31 - Players > Teams23:32 - 32:12 - Wenger32:13 - 35:39 - Where are they now?35:40 - 41:58 - Rangers41:59 - 46:24 - Love for the game46:25 - 51:15 - Advice

Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: [email protected]

Growing up with an unbridled joy for the game, climbing through the ranks of professional coaching staffs at a young age, Alessandro Davite has soon become one of the names to know in Italian analysis circles. Being able to adapt to different contexts, Alessandro has propelled himself forward in a career where there is nothing given. A student of the game, his observations and insights have been absorbed by a list of managers including Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Luciano Spalletti and Mauricio Sarri. Enjoy this conversation with one of Italy's brightest footballing minds.Listen to find out more including;- The changing point of analysis in Italian football.- Versatility and adapting to the different demands of Antonio Conte and Luciano Spalletti. - How rigorous the routine of a match analyst in European competition's exactly is?- Inside the pressure cooker of working at Inter Milan.- The tactical evolution of Serie A in the past few seasons.- Working with Mourinho and what makes him so special?Timestamps;00:00 - 03:54 - Intro03:55 - 08:02 - The Role08:03 - 16:35 - Inter Milan16:36 - 21:24 - Serie A21:25 - 27:09 - Tactical Evolution27:10 - 33:03 - Mourinho33:04 - 37:30 - AdviceAlessandro's LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-davite-70a096b3/Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: [email protected]

Spielverlagerung is a world renowned tactical analysis platform. One of the key protagonists behind it's rapid ascent has been Martin Rafelt. What started out as a mere hobby soon became a passion with their work attracting the gaze of Thomas Tuchel among others. Obtaining experience coaching soon flavoured Martin's work in analysis, constantly building his football network. Years later the success arc of the platform has gone full circle with Martin amongst many others educating patrons through their new academy and podcast platforms. It was a joy to speak with Martin and hear his views as to a myriad of topics from the importance of networks, environmental design for youth development, simple v hard practices and so much more.Listen to find out more including;- The connection between coaching and analysis?- Why football is universally popular?- Spielverlagerung; early days and how it has evolved.- Thomas Tuchel & opposition analysis at Mainz.- What is at the core of football tactics?- Simple v Hard continiuum when it comes to youth development.Timestamps;00:00 - 06:16 - Intro06:17 - 14:55 - Spielverlagerung14:56 - 17:37 - Tuchel17:38 - 23:57 - Coaching23:58 - 30:40 - Role Models30:41 - 40:59 - Hajduk Split41:00 - 54:06 - Tactics54:07 - 56:12 - AdviceMartin's Twitter; https://twitter.com/martinrafelt?lang=enSV Academy; https://spielverlagerung.com/sv-academy/Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: [email protected]

"Being talented is no longer enough. The game now demands more of players and they need to be intelligent to understand the game. Teams with more intelligent players are harder to play against because they're far less predictable," - Javier Mascherano.Slawek Morawski better known as "Mindfootballness" to his audience is an avid student of the game. With the game being the best teacher there is no shortage of content for Slawek to explore. Investing his time and energy into the player development process, Slawek has learned over time that knowledge only has true value when shared with others. This has been an iterative and interactive process with has included presenting to a whole host of federations alongside working individually with some of football's best known stars. Listen to find out more including;- How Slawek views individual development?- The challenge of retaining creativity amongst players?- Some of the gaps which Slawek believes exists in training methodology?- Are intuitive players valued appropriately in modern football?- How IDP work differs between in season and off season?- Why small details make all the difference with big players.Timestamps;00:00 - 03:33 - Intro03:34 - 09:35 - Individual Development09:36 - 15:09 - Intelligence & Decision Making15:10 - 20:56 - Intuition20:57 - 37:16 - Small details & Big players37:17 - 47:55 - Learning Process47:56 - 53:07 - Body Orientation53:08 - 56:14 - AdviceSlawek's Twitter; https://twitter.com/slawekmorawski/Get in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: [email protected]

"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/conorwalsh1995YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: [email protected]

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/conorwalsh1995YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: [email protected]

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 YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: [email protected]

"Football is the vehicle but what we are doing is helping people to triumph in life."Mental skills are often an undervalued part of elite sport. The harsh lessons from a short career in the game informed today's guest's journey through the sport. Dr.Ceri Bowley is the former Head of Methodology at City Football Group and ex Rangers First Team Coach. Fresh from finishing up at Rangers Dr.Ceri joined me today to reflect on his career to date with a huge emphasis on how we as coaches ensure lifelong learning never stops for the athlete.Through consistent support and challenge learn from Dr,Ceri as to how we can make success inevitable in our circles, why the best answers exist beyond the performance environment and why the most optimal approach is usually "as individual as possible, as specific as possible and as often as possible".A lot to takeaway in this one.Listen to find out more including;- How struggling with psychology as a young player fuelled a desire to learn beyond the pitch.- Understanding the person to unlock potential.- "Personal stability leads to consistent performance."- What does effective practice look like?- His take on Cody Royle's quote regarding "coach optimization is the biggest barrier to success in team sport".- Working for the global behemoth that is City Football Group.Timestamps;00:00 - 04:38 - Intro04:39 - 13:21 - Unlocking Potential13:22 - 18:09 - Individual Focus18:10 - 25:03 - City Football Group25:04 - 29:16 - Coach Support29:17 - 32:35 - Rangers32:36 - 42:26 - Technical Director42:27 - 45:30 - AdviceCeri's LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ceri-bowley-cmgr-mcmi-37b26048/Ceri's Twitter; https://twitter.com/ceribowley?lang=enGet in touch;Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: [email protected]

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/YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPodEmail: [email protected]

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 - Intro

06:22 - 12:14 - Dubai

12:15 - 20:06 - CBF

20:07 - 30:09 - Mina Cup

30:10 - 36:55 - UAE Football

36:56 - 40:16 - Advice

Chris' LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-brown-57139b14/

CBF; https://cbfootballmanagement.com/

Get in touch;

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/

YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPod

Email: [email protected]