The Lowdown

"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 as Vice President of Global Football at Trivela Group who's portfolio includes clubs such as Drogheda United, Walsall, Silkeborg alongside clubs in Africa. Learn more about many of the considerations which go into the management of this portfolio, how Matt builds synergies across different clubs, what good due diligence looks like and the reasons behind Trivela's decade long approach to investment.

Listen to find out more including;

- Making the transition between playing and front office.

- The influence of working in a range of markets on Matt's leadership approach.

- Which skillsets Matt would have focused on in hindsight during his transition to leadership roles?

- How Trivela implement centralised processes and individuate to each market?

- Matt's advice for career planning in modern football.

Timestamps;

00:00 - 04:00 - Intro

04:01 - 09:22 - Front Office

09:23 - 15:52- Houston

15:53 - 31:21 - Trivela

31:22 - 33:45 - Advice

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: [email protected]

David Clancy is the CEO & Co-Founder of Nxt Level Group.

Creating a vision, discovering one's purpose, intentional reflection, planning for the future - all important right? Yet how often do we create the space and time to unpack and discover? At Nxt Level where their clients are the teams behind the team they help individuals position themselves not only for success right now but also in the future. A career steeped in curiosity & purpose David unpacks practical insights from mentors and experts alike whilst also drawing upon anecdotes from his own career to provide us with an episode full of gold.

Listen to find out more including;

- How to be both intentional and open minded as to what is next ?

- Insights from recording 200 episodes of a podcast exploring David's interests ?

- David's take on the generalist v specialist debate?

- Why everyone needs a "Mount Rushmore"?

- The big questions everyone need to ask to navigate the unknown?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 05:10 - Curiosity

05:11 - 11:42 - Career Planning

11:43 - 17:56- Nxt Level

17:57 - 24:45 - Identity

24:46 - 31:03 - Advice

The Essential Skills Book; https://www.eu.elsevierhealth.com/essential-skills-for-physiotherapists-9780443111280.html?nosto=nosto-page-search1

Get in touch;

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwalsh95?lang=en

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

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, I am joined by Paul Balsom, Head of Fitness Advisory for UEFA and Tigres UANL, who shares his incredible journey in the world of football fitness. From his humble beginnings growing up in Torquay to advising top football organizations, Paul reflects on the values, mindset, and experiences that have shaped his successful career. He dives into the importance of hard work, curiosity, and reflection—keys that have allowed him to excel in his field and push the boundaries of sports performance.

Listen to find out more including;

- Continuous reflection as a tool to aid your performance.

- How to optimize for your leadership approach ?

- Recruiting a multi-disciplinary team; specialists or generalists?

- What values aid Paul in his decision making?

- Why everything begins with the depth of connection you have with one another?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 05:21 - Intro

05:22 - 11:20 - Reflection

11:21 - 18:01- Leadership

18:02 - 21:58 - UEFA

21:59 - 33:34 - Sam Allardyce

33:35 - 42:09 - Recruitment

42:10 - 49:04 - Leadership

49:05 - 53:12 - Advice

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: [email protected]

Peter McDonnell is the U17 head coach of Philadelphia Union. A true student of the game and committed developer, Peter has strived to ensure he has passed on the many fruits of a path shaped by football.

Coaching in Ireland, at Seacoast United and Minnesota all preceded a move to Philadelphia Union in the last year. Winning this years U17 GA Cup proved to be one of many highlights Peter has had since joining the Union.

With an illustrious history of bringing through home talent Peter’s mission is to continue this trend. Inspired by what’s possible the Killala man has to tap deep into his philosophy of limitless development to get the most out of his talented squad.

A true storyteller this episode is to be sat back to and enjoyed.

Listen to find out more including;

- Is there a perfect way or environment to develop a player ?

- Why Philadelphia Union have such a successful track record in youth development ?

- How to challenge & support amid raising expectations?

- Building a team culture in the era of the individual.

- What’s the most difficult part of coaching?

- How jiu jitsu has helped shape Peter as a person, coach & leader?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 06:26 - Intro

06:27 - 16:43 - Vocation

16:44 - 33:58- Philadelphia Union

33:59 - 39:38 - Evolution

39:39 - 49:18 - Jiu Jitsu

49:19 - 52:12 - Advice

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: [email protected]

David Webb is the First Team Coach of the Georgia National Team. Since debuting on the podcast over 2 years ago David was contacted by Willy Sagnol to join the staff ahead of their Euro playoffs earlier this year. What ensued was possibly the story of this years European Championships.

Ranked 74th in the world did little to hold Georgia back and they attacked each game in the entertaining and inspiring manner for which they have gained plaudits in recent years. Their 2-0 victory over Portugal announced their arrival on the world stage with a historical qualification to the Round of 16.

Exiting to eventual champions Spain in the Round of 16 did little to dampen the feel good factor beside this generational side.

Luckily for us David joined us shortly after the Euros to recount this historic occasion.

Listen to find out more including;

- Inside Georgia’s robust training and analysis ahead of the Euros.

- What David’s moment of the tournament was ?

- Inside the gameplan to beat Portugal ?

- Getting the best out of Kvicha Kvaratskhekia.

- What was so impressive about facing Spain in the flesh ?

- The historic homecoming to Tbilisi.

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: [email protected]

“In your building, if the level of conversation is good the level of conversation goes out on to the pitch.”

Michael Beale is well known to many for his work as first team coach. However it is his track record in youth development which initially caught the eye. 15 years of an apprenticeship at Charlton, Chelsea and Liverpool working alongside some future Premier League managers helped shaped some of Michael’s strongest views of the game.

From South London to São Paulo Michael speaks here with a fervent passion as to what’s possible when development is intentionally tailored towards the individual. Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Trent Alexander Arnold are just few of tens of names which Michael has played a key role in their development.

Reflecting on recent jobs at QPR, Rangers and Sunderland have only hardened Michael’s desire to place development at the forefront.

Listen to find out more including;

- How early did Michael realise coaching would be his vocation?

- Why tactics are overrated?

- Getting the balance right between play and structure.

- The three fundamentals essential to building any footballers hard drive ?

- The transition to management from coaching.

- Why the game always comes back to relationships and feelings ?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 04:13 - Futsal

04:14 - 13:26 - Development

13:27 - 21:13- Chelsea & Liverpool

21:14 - 29:50 - Sao Paulo

29:51 - 35:15 - Gerrard

35:16 - 49:10 - QPR & Rangers

49:11 - 56:04 - Advice

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: [email protected]

Sonny Cobbs is the Founder & CEO of Precision Football. It sits as the flagship Football Tech Centre of the Middle East at less than a few years old. With 25 staff and 3,000 people coming through the doors each week it is a paradise for anyone in love with the sport.

Even more remarkable than the very idea of its existence have been the milestones the organisation have hit in such a short space of time. This “overnight success” is not a surprise to many who know it’s founder Sonny Cobbs. Faced with the many trials and tribulations blighting many a young entrepreneur Sonny shares the story of how he lost everything only to bounce back and do it even better.

Winning 10 out of their last 11, with a run embodying the very grit the club was built on Precision recently achieved promotion in their maiden season. Speaking to Sonny we learn about how Precision has set a new standard for the Dubai region, how they plan to cement their place as a key stakeholder in the tech boom storming football, plans for international expansion and so much more.

Listen to find out more including;

- Sonny's journey to Dubai.

- Amongst a mix of factors how did one trip to America inspire the design behind Precision?

- Foundations and thought process behind the use of Precision's advanced football technology.

- Balancing the passion of a dream with the realities of being a young entrepreneur?

- The story as to how Precision achieved promotion in their first season.

- Plans to expand internationally and what role will Precision play in this latest tech boom?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 06:46 - Intro

06:47 - 16:05 - Dubai

16:06 - 26:07- Precision

26:08 - 31:08 - First Team

31:09 - 41:13 - The Main Thing

41:14 - 42:32 - Advice

Website; https://www.precisionfootball.com/

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/precisionftbl/?hl=en

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: [email protected]

Scott McLachlan is the Global Head of Football for Global Football Holdings.

After listening to Scott it is hard not to be infused with wonder and awe for the beautiful game. An expert storyteller Scott's anecdotes about the 1978 World Cup in Argentina and 2021 Champions League Final are just two wonderful milestones amid a formidable love affair with the game. Retaining this child like affinity for the game alongside his continuous dedication to the craft of coaching has ensured Scott to be an invaluable asset to each organisation he has represented

In his own words "2 ears, 1 mouth" coupled with an insatiable work ethic have dismembered all roadblocks on a relentless learning journey. Join us as Scott takes us inside his journey from early coaching days at Wimbledon to managing a group of scouts at Chelsea to the present overseeing a portfolio of clubs at GFH.

Ensure you have your notebook at the ready for this one.

Listen to find out more including;

- How Covid reignited a passion for coaching.

- Growing the competency framework of scouts.

- How Scott strategically navigates the mile markers on his career map?

- Quality control and managing the workflow of clubs within an MCO.

- In which ways has Scott's communication had to evolve as a leader?

- What professionalising scouting looked like at Chelsea?

- Fostering a learning environment, turning learning into a behaviour and how to supercharge the knowledge share in your organisation.

Timestamps;

00:00 - 07:35 - Intro

07:36 - 16:54 - Coaching

16:55 - 24:30- Global Football Holdings

24:31 - 30:24 - Communication

30:25 - 43:22 - Learning Environment

43:23 - 53:03 - Leadership

53:04 - 56:02 - Advice

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: [email protected]

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: [email protected]

Todays guest James O'Connor is a man who has seen it all in football. The Louisville City President amassed over 500 appearances in first team football before beginning his coaching career in America. Seeking the pull of making an impact at a higher level James jumped at the chance to become Club President.

Overseeing the building of a $50m training complex, $75m stadium and the expansion of the women's team it is hard to underestimate his impact on the club and city. An insightful episode taking us through the foundations of building a leading USL club.

Listen to find out more including;

- How to build a community presence as a new club?

- Leveraging the blue-collar mentality permeating throughout the city as a competitive advantage.

- In what ways did James mentality shift after retiring as player?

- What systems and processes James uses for managing his staff?

- The mindset which keeps James one step ahead and enables him to continue to grow and develop.

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: [email protected]