"Adapt or else...." Yiannis Tsalatsidis is the Technical Director & First Team Coach of FC London. In this specially recorded podcast Yiannis takes us on quite the football journey through his lens over the course of 2 hours. Empowered by a duty to develop beyond the regular realm Yiannis' work can best be described as player centred. Armed by this mission, it is with this very unique and compelling picture of the future we frame Yiannis' journey and explore the evolution of the future...

Ravi Ramineni is the co-founder and CEO of src | ftbl. He has also been at the forefront of the football analytics boom over the last decade.A former employee of Bing and Microsoft Ravi played a huge role in the success of the Seattle Sounders organisation rapidly ascending from analyst to VP in the organisation. In his own words the journey has been “a steep learning curve” and here Ravi reflects on what brought him here to the present day. From leaving building data pipelines out of a...

"High Performance comes from the mindset of it cannot be done alone." Today's guest is Max Lankheit, Head of Performance & Innovation at the Philadelphia Union. Working across the Bundesliga, MLS with a stint in MLB, Max has over a decade's worth experience in sporting performance. Finding his true passion in building and leading teams, Max joins us on the show today to share some principles guiding his style of leadership and as to how to effect change in organisations across a variety...

In 1995 Bruno Costa was a budding 15 year old intern departing home with the aim of working in professional football. What ensued has been a story of movie like proportions taking us from the Amazon rainforest to Silicon Valley featuring a supporting cast of Brazilian legends. Amid political turmoil and public scrutiny in his early years as a leader Bruno has succeeded in helping proliferate the Brazilian of young talent and spearhead several projects to International, Olympic, Continental...

"There is no point in being a creative when you are fearful." Today I am joined by the magical Pat Nevin. The former Scottish international who amassed 850+ appearances playing for the likes of Chelsea, Everton and Tranmere. Known widely today for his work in broadcasting Pat was a player beyond his time and an influential figure in his playing days. His latest book "Football & How to Survive it" is a memoir regarding the second half of his playing career and into the boardroom. From the...

Over 25 years ago Marc Nicholls arrived in the US from the UK with a suitcase and aspiration to coach in football full time. All these years later he is held in high regard as one of the most esteemed player and coach developers on the North American continent. Wearing many different hats he soon became aquainted with the North American game and his work was recognised being named U.S. Soccer Academy Coach of the Year twice preceding his move to the Seattle Sounders to become their Academy...

"I believe we can teach people anything but we cannot teach them culture".Sharona Friedman is the President of the Global Institute of Sport (GIS).Now partnered with UCFB, Sharona was part of the team that launched the world's first football university. In the space of 11 years it has grown from 53 - 3,000 students with multiple campuses in the UK such as Wembley and the Etihad. Furthermore it has staged summits worldwide including the likes of New York, Toronto and Melbourne. Sharona and her...

"Stop listening, start talking"IMG Academy is one of the world’s most prestigious sports, performance and educational institutions located in Bradenton, Florida. A unique campus allowing students to continue their studies alongside pursuing mastery in their chosen sport has already allowed many student athletes to fulfill their dreams of attaining a sports scholarship at university.And who better to take us inside it's doors than Director of Personal Development; Dr. Duncan Simpson....

How does someone find their way into football via studying consciousness, dopamine systems and magic mushrooms? Today's guest is Jes Buster Madsen, Head of Research & Development at FC Copenhagen. One of the most innovative and productive academies in world football constantly striving for percentages in understanding and shaping the next frontier of youth development. What begun as a passion to explore the finer edges of how reality is experienced has evolved to a commitment to...

Dominic Casciato is the Head Coach of Union Omaha. His continual upward trajectory has been no surprise given his journey to date. Taking calculated risks with an unquivering thirst to learn he is a shining example of a coach who has made successful transition from academy to first team.Thinking outside the box, integrating outside knowledge, learning a second language, coaching all age groups, Dominic has skipped no steps on his journey to first team coach. An inspirational listen and...

Andoni Bombin is the Academy Manager at Independiente de Valle in Ecuador.Formerly the Head of Methodology and long time academy coach at Athletic Club de Bilbao, Andoni underwent a significant apprenticeship at home demonstrating how the values required for a successful career on field were equally transferable to a successful career away from it. Armed with this knowledge and it's proof in a never ending lineage of academy graduates Andoni used these learnings as a platform travelling...

"It took 1 hour to plan but 9 years to consistently implement it".Des Ryan is the Director of Coaching & Performance at Setanta College. Furthermore he was also the Head of Sports Medicine & Athletic Development from 2013-2021.Des is a leading practitioner in the field and is widely regarded for his body of work at Arsenal's academy. With the help of Arsene Wenger, Liam Brady and Colin Lewin, Des helped to build an athletic framework in line with the club's overarching football...

Dave Clarke has been head coach of Quinnipiac college soccer for over 20 years.His journey to this point has been wholly encompassing and one in which he has left no stone unturned. Retaining that childhood passion for the game blended with a hunger for growth has ensured his longevity in the game on American shores.On his pathway to becoming a leading coach educator with US Soccer he has gained profound insight as to why he coaches and as to his own unique method of leadership. Advocating a...

Adam Lawrence is the head of player development for U13-U16 at Manchester United. Ever passionate and proactive, there has not been a single step skipped in his coaching journey.Hailing from south London Adam has gained recognition going above and beyond coaching across all age bands at clubs such as Millwall, Charlton and now Manchester United. Always in service of the player Adam offers us his lens as to what good coach education looks like, the pastoral care afforded by Manchester United...

Matt Rizzetta is the Chairman of North Sixth Group, a family office operating company with investments in marketing, media, technology, sports and entertainment. A diversified portfolio yet there was not much one could prepare them for the purchase of Campobasso. 8 days out from their season start and no coach, players and a pitch covered in mushrooms. Yet in spite of this they achieved promotion in a season framed as "fame di rivincita".Part of a portfolio which also includes Ascoli FC and...

“Who you become as a result of the chase is the most important thing”One of the most transformational podcasts I have recorded to date. It was a pleasure to speak with Dr.Jim Loehr about his new book "Wise Decisions" and his brilliant work in the Sport Psychology sphere over the past 30 years!Utilising sport as a tool to impact others, "you get a life by giving it away." This purpose driven lens has flavoured Dr.Jim's work for the past 30 years. As one begins that journey of "coming home"...

Today I am joined by the Founding Partner of Elite Performance Partners; David Slemen. EPP help organisations and individuals within sport reach their potential. They have helped with the support and building of high performance teams at organisations such as The FA, Right to Dream, LTA and Leicester Tigers. For anyone interested in building the team behind the team this one is for you. Learn here as to how to unpick bias in the recruitment process, why experience can be overrated, how there...

"The world is not lacking in expertise and knowledge, it's lacking in the imagination in what to do with it." - Kevin KellyKirk Vallis is the Global Head of Creative Capability Development at Google. For years Kirk has worked in various different environments unlocking people's potential. However it was at Google where he faced a novel challenge where in their own words; "brilliant at being the smartest people, not always good at unlocking the smartest thinking".Fast forward 11 years, Google...

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...

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...

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...

"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...

"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...

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...

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...