The Lowdown

Simon Kuper is the author of “Barça - The inside story of the worlds greatest football club” and is one of the most respected authors in the football world. Recently I was honoured to sit down and speak with him about his new publication. We discussed the triumvirate of Cruyff, Guardiola and Messi, La Masía, the current day among many other topics of discussion. Listen to hear more about;

- What is so unique about Barça?

- The change Simon has personally witnessed at the Camp Nou over the years.

- What drives decision making within the club?

- How revelatory were Cruyff's methods at the time?

- The differences between Guardiola & Cruyff?

- How not everybody took to Guardiola's philosophy!

-Barça plans for life after Messi.

Timestamps;

00:00 - 07:19 - Inside the club

07:20 - 13:52 - Cruyff

13:53 - 20:05 - Guardiola

20:06 - 29:46 - Messi

29:47 - 32:15 - Advice

Simon' Twitter; https://twitter.com/KuperSimon?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Simon's book; https://www.waterstones.com/book/barca/simon-kuper/9781780724744

David Mayer is one half of the Gold Dust podcast and co-author of the book; 'Gold Dust: How to Become A More Effective Coach, Quickly'. The book and podcast is terrific for anyone wishing to improve their communication and coaching skills. David is a lifelong learner and this certainly shone through in our conversation. Here we strip it back from the 'X's and O's' and speak about what you can do today, tomorrow and in the future to coach and inspire future generations. As David said your journey is all about; 'learning, unlearning and relearning'. Expect to hear us speak about;

- What does gold dust mean?

- The set of skills which will set you apart as a coach?

- The three things athletes want to know from coaches?

- Why the process of writing a book is similar to the art of coaching?

- The importance of cross pollinating from different walks of life.

- Learning v Execution.

- 'Listen to learn before attempting to help.'

-One thing David would bring from the UK to the US and from the US to the UK?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 03:50 - Intro

03:51 - 13:20 - Gold Dust

13:21 - 19:55 - Book & Podcast

19:56 - 30:10 - Hidden School of Learning

30:11 - 34:09 - US v UK

34:10 - 43:43 - The Future Coach

43:44 - 47:10 - Advice

Gold Dust Twitter; https://twitter.com/golddustpodcast?lang=en

David's Twitter; https://twitter.com/djmayer3

Gold Dust book; https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Dust-Effective-Quickly-communicator-ebook/dp/B082357NW5

There is a lot of new research coming out now on Emotional Intelligence and how it deeply impacts our lives. As a coach I am intrigued to learn about what this means not only in my professional but personal life. Luckily for me, Jonathon O'Neill is a coach who is quite an expert in this field. Recently he has brought the football and EI worlds together with his new app; 'Head Coach' which promises to be a game changer. If this is your first time listening to Jony, sit back and enjoy listening to a masterclass not only on EI but on goal setting, self actualisation and more. I will certainly be listening back to this one a few times. Expect to hear us speak about;

- What is EI and what does it look like in football?

- How does EI differ from culture to culture ?

- Important considerations when goal setting.

- The conflict between who you are versus who you want to be?

- Practices to improve EI on the pitch.

- Why is there no separation between who you are on and off the pitch?

- Details regarding Jonathon's new 'Head Coach' App.

Timestamps;

00:00 - 03:00 - Intro

03:01 - 09:30 - What is EI?

09:31 - 14:34 - Cultural differences

14:35 - 20:11 - Transcendence

20:12 - 31:59 - How to implement EI?

32:00 - 36:06 - Head Coach App

36:07 - 42:05 - Future plans

Jonathon's Twitter; https://twitter.com/headcoach_app?lang=en

Jonathon's Email; [email protected]

Head Coach App; https://www.headcoach.app/

Kieran Maguire or best known as the Price of Football is one of the go to football finance guys. So after a tumultuous year of Covid, Super League, FFP worries and fears over modern day sponsors who best to get the lowdown from than Kieran? After this 40 minute chat I feel a lot more educated but concerned over the future of the industry. Within this in depth exploration of football's finances, expect to learn more about;

- How he carved out a nice career?

- How Covid was a convenient excuse for certain clubs?

- Should football be viewed through an ethical and moral lens?

- The creation of wealth gaps within football.

- The FFP fallacy.

- Kieran's take on football's relationship with sponsors.

- Will PSG make their money back on Messi shirt sales?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 07:58 - Intro

07:59 - 13:06 - Covid

13:07 - 15:48 - Wealth Gaps

15:49 - 19:12 - FFP

19:13 - 22:55 - Super League

22:56 - 29:45 - Sponsors

29:46 - 34:04 - Legacy Fans

34:05 - 37:44 - Messi

37:45 - 43:52 - Advice

Kieran's Twitter; https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Kieran's Blog; http://priceoffootball.com/

Kieran's Book; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Price-Football-Kieran-Maguire/dp/1911116908/ref=as

Mark McGettigan or better known as FPL General within fantasy league circles is an avid player of Fantasy Football and has regularly finished within the top 500 over the past decade. This was an interesting chat with Mark getting to hear his story and some of the foundations behind his success. What's more if you are an avid or casual fantasy league player like me you will enjoy hearing more from Mark on his tactics, plans and strategies for GW4 and beyond. Also listen closely to the dilemna Mark has this week as a certain high valued player makes his long awaited return to the game. Expect to hear more about;

- How he got involved playing the game?

- Building a foundation for fantasy success.

- Try not to get ownership% influencing you.

- How many high value assets can you get in one team?

- Who are the key players in fantasy football this season?

- Personal v Professional conflict in fantasy football.

Timestamps;

00:00 - 07:46 - Intro

07:47 - 13:44 - Fantasy success

13:45 - 16:57 - FOMO

16:58 - 21:37 - Wildcard

21:38 - 24:21 - Professions that do well?

24:22 - 30:19 - Future

Mark's Twitter; https://twitter.com/FPLGeneral?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Mark's Podcast; https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-ronaldo-worth-taking-a-points-hit-for/id1341747815?i=1000534581959

Phil Denton is the co-author of The First 100 Days: Lessons in Leadership from the Football Bosses. When school headteacher Phil Denton bumped into Tranmere Rovers boss Micky Mellon, the two started swapping stories about their own leadership roles and they knew they had a lot to learn from each other. Thereafter the pair embarked on a journey of discovery interviewing top managers including Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and West Ham’s David Moyes who reveal the inside story of their first days in the job and explain the secret strategies that enabled them to lay the all-important foundations for success. Expect to hear more about;

- What it was like to run a school like a football club?

- The three p's; Purpose, People & Position

- Why did Ole Gunnar Solskjaer literally knock down the walls at Carrington?

- The 'burning platform' which David Moyes gave his West Ham players.

- How to properly analyze the leadership challenge you walk into?

- What are the key differences between coaching and management?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 05:05 - Intro

05:06 - 09:57 - Purpose, People & Position

09:58 - 21:17 - Solskjaer

21:18 - 26:00 - Dyche

26:01 - 31:26 - Moyes

31:27 - 36:20 - School Fire Alarm

36:21 - 41:50 - Reflections

Phil's Twitter; https://twitter.com/phildenton81?lang=en

The First 100 Days; https://www.amazon.ae/First-100-Days-Leadership-Football/dp/1911613979

Dennis Lukens is the technical director of FC Dynamic in Ukraine and he has quite the story to tell. Furthermore he is the second ever American to hold a UEFA Pro License. This podcast was a pleasure to record with Dennis as he took us from his childhood playing football in 1950's New York to coaching in the professional game in North America and Europe. Tune in to hear more about Dennis' love for Irish football and his plans to one day be an owner of a League of Ireland team. Expect to hear more about;

- Football in 1950's New York

- Dennis' move to Ukraine and getting lucky at the 33rd time!

- Doing his UEFA Pro Licence with Andriy Shevchenko

- Dennis' quest to become an owner of a League of Ireland club

- Dennis' advice for anyone chasing after their football dream

Timestamps;

00:00 - 12:28 - USA

12:29 - 23:26 - Ukraine

23:27 - 26:55 - Ireland

26:56 - 32:42 - Advice

Danny Maye is the lead senior youth phase coach at Southampton. This discussion is very insightful for anyone who wishes to learn more about the intricacies of working within a Premier League academy. Danny & I take a deep dive on his career to date which at times serves to be a brutally honest self-assessment. Nevertheless Danny imparts plenty of guidance as to how he and Southampton have evolved over time, successfully navigated change, refined their approach and always strive to be better. I really enjoyed this conversation with Danny and know you will too. Expect to hear more about;

- The formative experiences behind his coaching career.

- Why what value you contribute will always trump which background you come from?

- What is so unique about the Southampton way?

- The 95% v 5% rule.

- What does an interdisciplinary process of working look like?

- The common denominator between those that make it as professionals?

- Cross pollinating from other sports & industries - is it relevant or effective?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 05:50 - Intro

05:51 - 09:13 - Coaching Pathways

09:14 - 16:30 - The Southampton Way

16:31 - 22:56 - Holistic Development

22:57 - 27:57 - Reflection

27:58 - 34:29 - Character

34:30 - 42:02 - Change & Evolution

Conor Nestor is the head coach of Cambodian Premier League side; Svay Rieng FC. Recently I was fortunate to speak with Conor about his football journey to date. From being a young boy falling in love with the game in Limerick to managing professionally Conor's story is an inspiration to many. Carving out a career following your passion. Hitting a wall, finding a solution. Remaining true to your values. Being clear on your principles. Whether you geek out on football analytics, love the art of coaching or a football romantic this episode has something for all football fans. This is an insightful and deep exploration into Conor's evolution as a person and coach. Expect to hear more about;

- How following his passion led to a career?

- The key difference between coaching grassroots and professionally?

- How multi-faceted is his role as manager?

- Insights into building a title winning team.

- How xG saved his job?

- How not be constrained by your KPI's?

- Getting lost in the work and getting better at it.

Timestamps;

00:00 - 11:27 - Passion

11:28 - 15:34 - Coaching

15:35 - 25:27 - Management

25:28 - 37:40 - Analysis

37:41 - 42:35 - Session Design

42:36 - 49:02 - Role Models /Leadership

49:03 - 54:02 - Balance

54:03 - 59:19 - Future

59:20 - 1:06:24 - Advice

Conor's Twitter; https://twitter.com/conornestor17?lang=en

Blaine McKenna is a UEFA A Licensed coach who's currently working in Phuket, Thailand. He has been on quite the adventure to date coaching in 11 countries over 5 different continents. In our discussion we focused on Blaine's twin passions, football and psychology. For young coaches out there this is an important conversation about the long road ahead and the challenges you will inevitably encounter. Yet Blaine is here to tell the tale and provides plenty lessons as to how we can all adapt and overcome. Expect to hear more about;

- The power of networking

- Why is storytelling important?

- How to live more in the moment?

- Looking at the holistic picture as a coach

- What's it like to deliver a coaching session through a translator?

- Blaine's evolution as a coach.

Timestamps;

00:00 - 04:22 - Inspiration

04:23 - 10:02 - Perspective

10:03 - 20:22 - Blaine's journey

20:23 - 26:50 - Coaching practice

26:51 - 33:24 - Evolution

Blaine's Twitter; https://twitter.com/BlaineMcKenna77?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Blaine's Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/bmck77/?hl=en