Modern Soccer Coach Podcast

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In this episode, Martyn Bowles (Academy Manager at Walsall FC) sits down with Gary Curneen and breaks down what actually drives improvement inside elite environments. This isn’t about licenses or qualifications. It’s about self-awareness, authenticity, and building systems that truly develop people.

We dive into:

Why traditional coach education is outdated
The role of self-awareness in performance
How environment shapes coach identity
Why connection must come before feedback
A unique peer mentoring system pairing “opposites”
The challenge of building trust in high-performance environments

This is a must-watch for any coach serious about improving—not just collecting badges.

A big thank you to Zone 14 Coaching for supporting the podcast. Their journals are designed to help coaches and players plan, reflect, and stay intentional throughout the season. If you’ve ever questioned whether your sessions are really landing, their tools are a great way to bring more structure and reflection into your environment.

You can check them out at zone14coaching.com and use the code ModernSoccer20 for 20% off your first order.

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This might be one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast.

In this episode, Gary Curneen sits down with Joop Oosterveld, transition coach at BK Häcken and former PSV coach, to break down what it actually takes to prepare players for the highest level of the game.

We get into why most training environments are too easy, how underloaded pressing (3v7, 4v6) can accelerate development, and why the best players often stop improving if they are not constantly stretched and challenged. Joop shares insights from his time in Holland, Sweden, and learning from environments like Liverpool, giving a clear picture of what elite player development really looks like.

This is a must-watch for any coach serious about developing players who can perform at the highest level.

A big thank you to Zone 14 for supporting the podcast. Their coach and player journals are built around intentional development, helping coaches plan, reflect, and stay organized while giving players a structure to take ownership of their progress. If you are serious about improving your environment on and off the pitch, check them out and use the code modernsoccer20 for 20% off.

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Most teams say the same thing: “We just need someone to score goals.”
But what if the problem isn’t the player… it’s the understanding of the position?

In this episode, Gary Curneen sits down with JP Owens (Ireland U17 Women’s National Team Performance Analyst & Shelbourne First Team) to break down the detail behind elite centre forward play. From movement in relation to teammates, to how the best strikers dictate passes rather than wait for service, this is one of the most in-depth conversations we’ve had on the #9 role.

We dive into:

Why most forwards struggle to impact games
The relationship between the passer and the striker
How elite forwards “plot” movements before the ball arrives
Practical ways to coach striker movement inside team sessions
How to build a culture of player-led development using video and feedback

If you coach or work with forwards, this will completely change how you see the position.

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In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary Curneen is joined by Tom Dent, First Team Assistant Coach at Vålerenga, to explore one of the biggest shifts in the modern game — the rise of set pieces.

Once seen as a secondary part of football, set plays are now a defining factor in performance. The best teams in the world are no longer just strong in open play — they dominate moments that restart the game.

In this conversation, we dive into:
How set pieces have evolved across the last 5–10 years
Why top teams are now leading the league in set play performance
How coaches can integrate set pieces into their game model
Practical ways to include set piece work in everyday training sessions
How youth coaches can begin developing these habits early

This is a must-listen for coaches looking to stay aligned with the modern game and build more complete players and teams.

A big thank you to Zone 14 Coaching for supporting this episode.

If you’re a coach who wants more structure, clarity, and reflection in your season, the Zone 14 NextGen Journals are an outstanding resource. Designed for both coaches and players, they help you plan sessions, track progress, and build consistent habits throughout the year.

Built on intentional coaching and backed by neuroscience, these journals support learning beyond just repetition — helping players and coaches reflect, adapt, and improve.

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In this episode, we go inside one of the most fascinating clubs in European football — Bodø/Glimt. Over the past few years, the Norwegian club has built a remarkable culture and player development environment that has helped them compete at the highest levels of the game, including the Champions League.

A big thank you to our sponsor Zone14 Coaching. Their NextGen journals help coaches and players plan, reflect, and track progress throughout the season, built on intentional coaching and backed by neuroscience. Modern Soccer Coach listeners can get $5 off with code MODERNSOCCER5 at zone14coaching.com

Joining Gary Curneen on this podcast is Olav Øverli, Academy Director at Bodø/Glimt. Olav shares a detailed look into how the club develops players, builds a strong culture, and creates an environment where curiosity, responsibility, and hard work are non-negotiable. He explains why the foundation of their academy begins with something simple but powerful: a love of the ball.

We discuss the principles behind Bodø/Glimt’s development model, the importance of aligned leadership throughout the club, how the academy balances joy and professionalism in youth development, and why they prioritize curious, engaged footballers over rigid systems.

Topics covered include:
• Bodø/Glimt’s academy philosophy and culture
• Developing curious and engaged footballers
• Why “non-negotiables” are the starting point
• Balancing joy and professionalism in youth development
• Coaching younger players vs academy age groups
• The role of feedback and honest coaching
• Technology, data, and the limits of sports science in development
• The impact of phones and distractions on young players
• Hiring coaches and building a strong academy staff culture

If you enjoy these conversations, please subscribe to the channel and check out more coaching breakdowns and interviews here on Modern Soccer Coach.