STUART WEBBER

Our guest on Episode #48 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Norwich City Sporting Director Stuart Webber.  SHOW NOTES =&gt; 02:04: Rebuilding Norwich's training ground. Appeal of Sporting Director job was producing something sustainable at a club. 08:03: Premier League is the hardest league in the world. Even Brentford and Brighton, in Norwich's peer group, have significant owner investment. 09:56: Arriving at the club in 2017. They were lacking direction/ didn't have a lot to show for seasons in the Premier League. Simplified the plan: style of play/ invest in youth/ develop global scouting.  13:10: Evolving as a person. Change manager v status quo manager. 17:48: Is he the purest form of a Sporting Director?  23:17: Should the Sporting Director be visible and communicate with media/ fanbase? 25:41: Inspired to do the Sporting Director role by Damien Comolli. 35:35: Huddersfield Town. Focusing on foreign players and foreign coaches. 39:02: Would you appoint an English Under-21 coach as a manager? Have done it with German coaches in David Wagner and Daniel Farke. 42:30: Summit Foundation. 45:05: Criticism for mountain climbs/ Summit Foundation. Breakdown of relationship with local newspaper.  56:00: Ambitions for Norwich City. Personal ambitions. Could see a future outside football. 

Our guest on Episode #48 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Norwich City Sporting Director Stuart Webber.  SHOW NOTES =&gt; 02:04: Rebuilding Norwich's training ground. Appeal of Sporting Director job was producing something sustainable at a club. 08:03: Premier League is the hardest league in the world. Even Brentford and Brighton, in Norwich's peer group, have significant owner investment. 09:56: Arriving at the club in 2017. They were lacking direction/ didn't have a lot to show for seasons in the Premier League. Simplified the plan: style of play/ invest in youth/ develop global scouting.  13:10: Evolving as a person. Change manager v status quo manager. 17:48: Is he the purest form of a Sporting Director?  23:17: Should the Sporting Director be visible and communicate with media/ fanbase? 25:41: Inspired to do the Sporting Director role by Damien Comolli. 35:35: Huddersfield Town. Focusing on foreign players and foreign coaches. 39:02: Would you appoint an English Under-21 coach as a manager? Have done it with German coaches in David Wagner and Daniel Farke. 42:30: Summit Foundation. 45:05: Criticism for mountain climbs/ Summit Foundation. Breakdown of relationship with local newspaper.  56:00: Ambitions for Norwich City. Personal ambitions. Could see a future outside football.

#48: Stuart Webber: Six years and beyond at Norwich City

Tom Vernon

Our guest on Episode #47 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Tom Vernon, the founder and Group CEO of Right to Dream Group.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 02:12: What is Right to Dream and its philosophy? 04:46: Start of Right to Dream in 1999. Changing the 'extractive mindset'. Setting up the only residential girls' Academy in Ghana. 12:23: Moving into the USA and plan to buy an MLS club. 16:12: Trying to have a straight pipe rather than a pyramid with youth development. 17:39: Right to Dream recruitment days in Africa. 100,000 kids attend trials every year. 19:33: Appointing Ian Yates as Head of Global Recruitment. "We wanted someone who had been thinking in multiple sports in multiple ways. We want to go to places which are overlooked, where people might believe excellence does not exist." 21:35: Why "entrepreneurship in Africa is as tough as it gets." How he benefitted from white privilege. 23:42: Expelled from school. His own dyslexia. Why football needs to follow lead of other industries and recognise/ promote neurodiversity. 29:30: How the world - and football - are "rigged systems", with a high level of unfairness towards Africa. 34:13: Good book - 'Why I am no longer talking to white people about race.' Ghana's 'year of the return.' African diaspora returning and driving a different narrative. 37:21: Praise for Gareth Southgate "realities of the past and reconstructing the future." "One of the most inspirational stories in the sport in the last 20 years." 38:43: Is Right to Dream 'ultimate socialism'? Is it sometimes difficult to balance this with capitalism of raising finance/ selling players and corporate packages etc? 46:09: Buying FC Nordsjaelland. Reasons why. Developing youth - 14 of the first-team squad have come through the Academies in Ghana and Denmark. 51:50: Other leagues and clubs are taking lessons from what FCN and Right to Dream do, but not so much England.  54:38: Right to Dream's KPIs - social impact, brand equity and football performance.

Our guest on Episode #47 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Tom Vernon, the founder and Group CEO of Right to Dream Group.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 02:12: What is Right to Dream and its philosophy? 04:46: Start of Right to Dream in 1999. Changing the 'extractive mindset'. Setting up the only residential girls' Academy in Ghana. 12:23: Moving into the USA and plan to buy an MLS club. 16:12: Trying to have a straight pipe rather than a pyramid with youth development. 17:39: Right to Dream recruitment days in Africa. 100,000 kids attend trials every year. 19:33: Appointing Ian Yates as Head of Global Recruitment. "We wanted someone who had been thinking in multiple sports in multiple ways. We want to go to places which are overlooked, where people might believe excellence does not exist." 21:35: Why "entrepreneurship in Africa is as tough as it gets." How he benefitted from white privilege. 23:42: Expelled from school. His own dyslexia. Why football needs to follow lead of other industries and recognise/ promote neurodiversity. 29:30: How the world - and football - are "rigged systems", with a high level of unfairness towards Africa. 34:13: Good book - 'Why I am no longer talking to white people about race.' Ghana's 'year of the return.' African diaspora returning and driving a different narrative. 37:21: Praise for Gareth Southgate "realities of the past and reconstructing the future." "One of the most inspirational stories in the sport in the last 20 years." 38:43: Is Right to Dream 'ultimate socialism'? Is it sometimes difficult to balance this with capitalism of raising finance/ selling players and corporate packages etc? 46:09: Buying FC Nordsjaelland. Reasons why. Developing youth - 14 of the first-team squad have come through the Academies in Ghana and Denmark. 51:50: Other leagues and clubs are taking lessons from what FCN and Right to Dream do, but not so much England.  54:38: Right to Dream's KPIs - social impact, brand equity and football performance.

#47: Tom Vernon: Giving everyone a Right to Dream

David Sumpter

Our guest on Episode #46 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Professor David Sumpter, who has worked with top teams including Ajax, Barcelona and England.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 02:06: How he got started in computer programming/ mathematics and then football. 05:45: Studying behaviour of birds and fish and how this relates to football. Need to look at at least six matches of data to remove randomness. 08:13: Matthew Benham's work on gambling/ modelling of odds was first alliance of football and data. 09:54: Teams including Manchester City come to visit him in Uppsala following publication of Soccermatics. First formal involvement with a club is with Swedish side Hammarby, spending 50% of his working time there. 21:00: How he packages up the approach to football developed at Hammarby to use at other clubs. Can apply to every area of the club, including fan experience, performance and scouting. 23:05: Worked on research projects with Barcelona, Ajax and England. With Ajax he's looking at the rules of motion of players. With the Football Association (England) he is working with a research student and they are looking at scanning behaviour and expected threat models. 29:45: Ajax are doing things 'from a  more fundamental level, trying to understand the game from its basics', which is rare. 36:50: Liverpool are 'definitely leading the way in analytics', but doing it in a very different way to Ajax, focusing mainly on recruitment.  39:35: Importance of quantifying your style of play and how this 'identity' informs everything. 44:18: 'The stuff we did at Hammarby is still a lot more advanced than what's being done at some of the big clubs. There is still so much they can use this tracking data for.' 50:45: Analytics will never replace people or expertise. 'The inputs of experts are so important.' 56:45: Use of streamline, a 'second revolution' after Python. We hope you enjoy this Episode. If you do, please give us a FOLLOW via your podcast provider! This is the best way in which you can support the podcast. Thank you!

Our guest on Episode #46 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Professor David Sumpter, who has worked with top teams including Ajax, Barcelona and England.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 02:06: How he got started in computer programming/ mathematics and then football. 05:45: Studying behaviour of birds and fish and how this relates to football. Need to look at at least six matches of data to remove randomness. 08:13: Matthew Benham's work on gambling/ modelling of odds was first alliance of football and data. 09:54: Teams including Manchester City come to visit him in Uppsala following publication of Soccermatics. First formal involvement with a club is with Swedish side Hammarby, spending 50% of his working time there. 21:00: How he packages up the approach to football developed at Hammarby to use at other clubs. Can apply to every area of the club, including fan experience, performance and scouting. 23:05: Worked on research projects with Barcelona, Ajax and England. With Ajax he's looking at the rules of motion of players. With the Football Association (England) he is working with a research student and they are looking at scanning behaviour and expected threat models. 29:45: Ajax are doing things 'from a  more fundamental level, trying to understand the game from its basics', which is rare. 36:50: Liverpool are 'definitely leading the way in analytics', but doing it in a very different way to Ajax, focusing mainly on recruitment.  39:35: Importance of quantifying your style of play and how this 'identity' informs everything. 44:18: 'The stuff we did at Hammarby is still a lot more advanced than what's being done at some of the big clubs. There is still so much they can use this tracking data for.' 50:45: Analytics will never replace people or expertise. 'The inputs of experts are so important.' 56:45: Use of streamline, a 'second revolution' after Python. We hope you enjoy this Episode. If you do, please give us a FOLLOW via your podcast provider! This is the best way in which you can support the podcast. Thank you!

#46: David Sumpter: A curiosity-based approach to data

In the first instalment of a new series called TGG Extra, Justin Cochrane gives his tips for current and aspiring coaches.

In the first instalment of a new series called TGG Extra, Justin Cochrane gives his tips for current and aspiring coaches.

TGG Extra: Justin Cochrane Coaching Tips

Our guest on Episode #45 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Justin Cochrane. Justin has been first-team coach and Head of Coaching at Brentford since the summer. He was previously Head of Player and Coach Development at Manchester United and has also worked for the Football Association and Tottenham.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:23: What does your job entail (Head of Coaching and first-team coach). 02:42: Differences between working in Academy and first team. 05:30: Innovation at Brentford - and focus on set pieces. 08:26: Thoughts on B team model. How every player is different/ be mindful of this in transition from PDP to first team. 11:19: Coach before player - from age of 17. 17:35: Grassroots football - does it need more investment/ closer links with Academy system? 21:22: Arriving at Tottenham. Influence of Chris Ramsey and John McDermott. 27:45: Joining the FA and England youth teams in 2018. 30:09: How good coaching comes down to content and connection. 34:58: Working with Alejandro Garnacho at Man Utd. 42:07: Value of specialist coaching and the need to constantly up skill yourself. 46:11: Ambitions for the future/ need to live in the moment. 

Our guest on Episode #45 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Justin Cochrane. Justin has been first-team coach and Head of Coaching at Brentford since the summer. He was previously Head of Player and Coach Development at Manchester United and has also worked for the Football Association and Tottenham.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:23: What does your job entail (Head of Coaching and first-team coach). 02:42: Differences between working in Academy and first team. 05:30: Innovation at Brentford - and focus on set pieces. 08:26: Thoughts on B team model. How every player is different/ be mindful of this in transition from PDP to first team. 11:19: Coach before player - from age of 17. 17:35: Grassroots football - does it need more investment/ closer links with Academy system? 21:22: Arriving at Tottenham. Influence of Chris Ramsey and John McDermott. 27:45: Joining the FA and England youth teams in 2018. 30:09: How good coaching comes down to content and connection. 34:58: Working with Alejandro Garnacho at Man Utd. 42:07: Value of specialist coaching and the need to constantly up skill yourself. 46:11: Ambitions for the future/ need to live in the moment.

#45: Justin Cochrane: Content and connection

Our guest on Episode #44 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Sally Needham. Sally is the Human Development and Performance Culture Lead at Sheffield United Academy.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:57: What is human development? 07:21: Mindfulness room. 16:02: Influence of neuroscience.  26:22: Strengthening the window of tolerance.  28:06: Professional doctorate in elite performance. Research in application. 33:07: Red and green model. 38:54: Being present/ enjoying the moment. 45:22: Power of words. Importance of what you say and how you say it. 50:17: Understanding your impact on the team and on the environment.

Our guest on Episode #44 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Sally Needham. Sally is the Human Development and Performance Culture Lead at Sheffield United Academy.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:57: What is human development? 07:21: Mindfulness room. 16:02: Influence of neuroscience.  26:22: Strengthening the window of tolerance.  28:06: Professional doctorate in elite performance. Research in application. 33:07: Red and green model. 38:54: Being present/ enjoying the moment. 45:22: Power of words. Importance of what you say and how you say it. 50:17: Understanding your impact on the team and on the environment.

#44: Sally Needham: Human Development at Sheffield United

Rui Faria

Our guest on Episode #43 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Rui Faria. Rui was Jose Mourinho's assistant for 17 years, during which time they achieved huge levels of success. They won at least one trophy a season in that time, including league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, as well as two Champions Leagues. In this pod Rui covers a range of subjects, including tactical periodisation, style of play, the use of data, neuroscience and why he still regards Mourinho as #1.   =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:45: Why hasn't he done any interviews? 03:58: How he got involved in football. 05:42: Tactical periodisation. 11:38: First contact with Jose Mourinho. First meeting in Barcelona. Thinking 'out of the box'. 15:20: "I think we marked an era in football." 21:20: Difficult times early on at Leiria. Meeting of minds. 25:55: Coming into Chelsea. New approach for the players. 'Special One'. What his role as assistant involved. 31:16: Training mental skills and emotional control. Inter v Barca in 2010 Champions League semis as an example. 43:00: Man management. Need to treat everyone as an individual.  49:30: Different styles of play. Need for pragmatism. Making sure young players are prepared for their opportunities. Some players not ready, eg Mo Salah at Chelsea. 58:12: Remembering watching Ronaldo and Messi for the first time, when they were both 16. 1:06:00: Being accused of being a defensive coach. How style of play has evolved in England since they first arrived. 1:13:02: Importance of context when using data. 1:14:40: Defiant about scrapping GPS at Manchester United. How it has become too dominant within sport science. Role of neuroscience. 1:27:24: Stepping down at Manchester United. "I left a job millions would love to be doing." Ambitions for the future.  1:30:16: Would he work with Mourinho again? "They were fantastic unforgettable moments."

Our guest on Episode #43 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Rui Faria. Rui was Jose Mourinho's assistant for 17 years, during which time they achieved huge levels of success. They won at least one trophy a season in that time, including league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, as well as two Champions Leagues. In this pod Rui covers a range of subjects, including tactical periodisation, style of play, the use of data, neuroscience and why he still regards Mourinho as #1. =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:45: Why hasn't he done any interviews? 03:58: How he got involved in football. 05:42: Tactical periodisation. 11:38: First contact with Jose Mourinho. First meeting in Barcelona. Thinking 'out of the box'. 15:20: "I think we marked an era in football." 21:20: Difficult times early on at Leiria. Meeting of minds. 25:55: Coming into Chelsea. New approach for the players. 'Special One'. What his role as assistant involved. 31:16: Training mental skills and emotional control. Inter v Barca in 2010 Champions League semis as an example. 43:00: Man management. Need to treat everyone as an individual.  49:30: Different styles of play. Need for pragmatism. Making sure young players are prepared for their opportunities. Some players not ready, eg Mo Salah at Chelsea. 58:12: Remembering watching Ronaldo and Messi for the first time, when they were both 16. 1:06:00: Being accused of being a defensive coach. How style of play has evolved in England since they first arrived. 1:13:02: Importance of context when using data. 1:14:40: Defiant about scrapping GPS at Manchester United. How it has become too dominant within sport science. Role of neuroscience. 1:27:24: Stepping down at Manchester United. "I left a job millions would love to be doing." Ambitions for the future.  1:30:16: Would he work with Mourinho again? "They were fantastic unforgettable moments."

#43: Rui Faria: Creating a new era for football

Sean Dyche

On Episode #42 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, we were joined by Sean Dyche. Dyche was manager of Burnley for nine-and-a-half years and transformed their fortunes both on and off the pitch. When he first arrived at the club, in October 2012, they were 14th in the Championship. What followed during his tenure was seven seasons in the Premier League and European football for the first time in 51 years. In this episode Dyche reflects on his time with the Clarets, gives insights into his coaching and leadership style and explains what the future could hold for him.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:23: Life after leaving Burnley in April. Any approaches? 03:47: Start of playing career at Nottingham Forest. Influence of Brian Clough. 6:13: Are leaders born or can those skills be learnt? 9:28: Importance of clarity and simplicity. Don't load players with too much information before kick-off. 11:45: Starting to think about becoming a manager at 26. Career progression after that. 16:30: First managerial job at Watford. Being authentic. Staying tight with the players but they still know who's in charge. 18:34: First impressions of Burnley. Lack of alignment between Board and fans. Gradually get accepted. 22:45: Telling the Board "you need to put a structure in place for the longevity of the club" after Premier League promotion. 28:00: Were you similar to a Sporting Director, as you were looking at longer-term future of the club?  32:54: "Massive strides" with the Academy at Burnley. "Big believer" in the youth system. 35:55: Accusations of "Brexit football." Didn't have the scouting network to find/ sign foreign players.  39:22: Getting "put in a box". Back to front football/ Brexit football.  41:15: How he could manage differently at a different club.  51:45: Sacked at Burnley. How news was delivered and reflections. 55:28: Key thing was not recycling the team two/ three years ago. Recommended bringing new players in but didn't happen. 56:37: Backroom staff. People saying assistants were only there because they were his friends. 1:00:55: Don't put too low a limit on your goals. "Positive realities."

On Episode #42 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, we were joined by Sean Dyche. Dyche was manager of Burnley for nine-and-a-half years and transformed their fortunes both on and off the pitch. When he first arrived at the club, in October 2012, they were 14th in the Championship. What followed during his tenure was seven seasons in the Premier League and European football for the first time in 51 years. In this episode Dyche reflects on his time with the Clarets, gives insights into his coaching and leadership style and explains what the future could hold for him.  =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:23: Life after leaving Burnley in April. Any approaches? 03:47: Start of playing career at Nottingham Forest. Influence of Brian Clough. 6:13: Are leaders born or can those skills be learnt? 9:28: Importance of clarity and simplicity. Don't load players with too much information before kick-off. 11:45: Starting to think about becoming a manager at 26. Career progression after that. 16:30: First managerial job at Watford. Being authentic. Staying tight with the players but they still know who's in charge. 18:34: First impressions of Burnley. Lack of alignment between Board and fans. Gradually get accepted. 22:45: Telling the Board "you need to put a structure in place for the longevity of the club" after Premier League promotion. 28:00: Were you similar to a Sporting Director, as you were looking at longer-term future of the club?  32:54: "Massive strides" with the Academy at Burnley. "Big believer" in the youth system. 35:55: Accusations of "Brexit football." Didn't have the scouting network to find/ sign foreign players.  39:22: Getting "put in a box". Back to front football/ Brexit football.  41:15: How he could manage differently at a different club.  51:45: Sacked at Burnley. How news was delivered and reflections. 55:28: Key thing was not recycling the team two/ three years ago. Recommended bringing new players in but didn't happen. 56:37: Backroom staff. People saying assistants were only there because they were his friends. 1:00:55: Don't put too low a limit on your goals. "Positive realities."

#42: Sean Dyche: Building Burnley and beyond

Steven Reid

Episode #41 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is with Steven Reid.  The former midfielder played in the Premier League for Blackburn, West Brom and Burnley and won 23 caps for the Republic of Ireland. Since retiring from playing he has forged a successful career in coaching, working at first-team level with Reading, Crystal Palace, West Brom, Scotland and Nottingham Forest. At the start of July, the 41-year-old announced he was leaving Forest to become a confidence, wellbeing and leadership coach. =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:32: New role as a confidence, wellbeing and leadership coach. 05:32: Coping with imposter syndrome as player and coach. 10:14: Staff can often be the ones who are forgotten. 16:54: Leaving Nottingham Forest/ grateful for understanding of Steve Cooper. 20:25: Remembering the person as well as the player and being wary of 24-hour monitoring. 27:22: Secrets of Steve Cooper's success at Nottingham Forest.  29:53: What does a first-team coach do? Difference from being an assistant. 33:56: Do top players make top coaches? 36:40: Is coaching a profession that's worth getting into? 39:09: Insights into the different managers he's played under. 44:13: Best point in his playing career/ best player he's played with. 

Episode #41 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is with Steven Reid.  The former midfielder played in the Premier League for Blackburn, West Brom and Burnley and won 23 caps for the Republic of Ireland. Since retiring from playing he has forged a successful career in coaching, working at first-team level with Reading, Crystal Palace, West Brom, Scotland and Nottingham Forest. At the start of July, the 41-year-old announced he was leaving Forest to become a confidence, wellbeing and leadership coach. =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:32: New role as a confidence, wellbeing and leadership coach. 05:32: Coping with imposter syndrome as player and coach. 10:14: Staff can often be the ones who are forgotten. 16:54: Leaving Nottingham Forest/ grateful for understanding of Steve Cooper. 20:25: Remembering the person as well as the player and being wary of 24-hour monitoring. 27:22: Secrets of Steve Cooper's success at Nottingham Forest.  29:53: What does a first-team coach do? Difference from being an assistant. 33:56: Do top players make top coaches? 36:40: Is coaching a profession that's worth getting into? 39:09: Insights into the different managers he's played under. 44:13: Best point in his playing career/ best player he's played with.

#41: Steven Reid: The person as well as the player

Damien Comolli

Episode #40 of the TGG Podcast is with Damien Comolli, the Chairman and Sporting Director at Toulouse, last season's champions of Ligue 2 in France. Damien is  the former Director of Football at Fenerbahce, Tottenham, Liverpool and St Etienne.  For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:25: Toulouse's title win. Righting wrongs. 09:11: Establishing an identity at the club when he arrived. 23:25: Why Toulouse have a Head of Strategy and Culture. Importance of showing vulnerability and admitting mistakes. 37:08: Use of data. Input of Zelus Analytics. Why being data and culture driven is 'the perfect balance'. 50:10: Involvement with Red Bird and why those chose to buy Toulouse. 55:32: Being a pioneer of the Sporting Director role. Early mistrust. Mentor to Michael Edwards etc. 1:05:46: Sacking at Tottenham. Learning from mistakes. Not to be 'big-headed' again!

Episode #40 of the TGG Podcast is with Damien Comolli, the Chairman and Sporting Director at Toulouse, last season's champions of Ligue 2 in France. Damien is  the former Director of Football at Fenerbahce, Tottenham, Liverpool and St Etienne.  For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:25: Toulouse's title win. Righting wrongs. 09:11: Establishing an identity at the club when he arrived. 23:25: Why Toulouse have a Head of Strategy and Culture. Importance of showing vulnerability and admitting mistakes. 37:08: Use of data. Input of Zelus Analytics. Why being data and culture driven is 'the perfect balance'. 50:10: Involvement with Red Bird and why those chose to buy Toulouse. 55:32: Being a pioneer of the Sporting Director role. Early mistrust. Mentor to Michael Edwards etc. 1:05:46: Sacking at Tottenham. Learning from mistakes. Not to be 'big-headed' again!

#40: Damien Comolli: From Tou-lose to Tou-win

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. Each month we'll be taking you behind the scenes in professional football, with unique insights from leading experts. Thanks for listening.

For this episode we go inside Southampton's innovative new Learning Lab with two of its leadership team - Head of Technical Development Iain Brunnschweiler and Dr Andrew Wilson, a Reader in Psychology at Leeds Beckett University. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:15: IAIN BRUNNSCHWEILER - background on his playing and career journey. Youth player at Southampton/ cricket career/ UK Coaching/ back to Saints. 09:23: Learning from top performing organisations in sport, business and the military. Floyd Woodrow and the SAS. 19:10: Technical Development department - what it is, what it does and what his role entails. 26:32: Learning Lab - how it came about, what it does, PhD projects 37:02: Importance of developing relationships; why we over-index on technical skills and under-index on human skills 44:15: DR ANDREW WILSON - career journey 46:15: What is ecological learning? Origins. 1:03:52: Why ecological learning 'radically alters the role of the coach' 1:15:55: Scanning. PhD projects in the Learning Lab 1:27:34: Is the Learning Lab unique in football?

For this episode we go inside Southampton's innovative new Learning Lab with two of its leadership team - Head of Technical Development Iain Brunnschweiler and Dr Andrew Wilson, a Reader in Psychology at Leeds Beckett University. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:15: IAIN BRUNNSCHWEILER - background on his playing and career journey. Youth player at Southampton/ cricket career/ UK Coaching/ back to Saints. 09:23: Learning from top performing organisations in sport, business and the military. Floyd Woodrow and the SAS. 19:10: Technical Development department - what it is, what it does and what his role entails. 26:32: Learning Lab - how it came about, what it does, PhD projects 37:02: Importance of developing relationships; why we over-index on technical skills and under-index on human skills 44:15: DR ANDREW WILSON - career journey 46:15: What is ecological learning? Origins. 1:03:52: Why ecological learning 'radically alters the role of the coach' 1:15:55: Scanning. PhD projects in the Learning Lab 1:27:34: Is the Learning Lab unique in football?

#39: Inside the Southampton Learning Lab

Rene Meulensteen

In our first episode in front of a live audience, we spoke to Australia assistant and former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen at Batch Bottlestore and Deli in Altrincham. Rene told Simon Austin and Josh Schneider-Weiler about his coaching journey, his one-on-one skills work with the likes of Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo and some of the leadership lessons learned from legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.  For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

In our first episode in front of a live audience, we spoke to Australia assistant and former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen at Batch Bottlestore and Deli in Altrincham. Rene told Simon Austin and Josh Schneider-Weiler about his coaching journey, his one-on-one skills work with the likes of Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo and some of the leadership lessons learned from legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.  For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

#38: Rene Meulensteen: Inside track on the Man Utd glory years

Welcome to the first episode of season 4 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. Our guest is Andreas Georgson, Sports Director for Swedish champions Malmö. He told Josh Schneider-Weiler how the Sky Blues are aiming to outdo richer European rivals in Europe, about his work with Brentford and Arsenal, and why Mikel Arteta is a cut above. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:35: Back at Malmö. Why the club is special. 06:37: 'Grandma coaching' - anyone can spot the best player in youth football; spotting the late developers is the key. 12:54: Why Malmö are so good at producing players. 15:50: Andreas's personal journey and career. 20:17: Individual Development Coach. How he got the job at Brentford (and then Arsenal) and what it involved. 28:55: How he came to get a job at Arsenal. Why Mikel Arteta is special. 33:06: Set piece coach. Work at Arsenal. Leading change. 43:26: Still in touch with Arteta and his staff. 'Sky is the limit' for them.

Welcome to the first episode of season 4 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. Our guest is Andreas Georgson, Sports Director for Swedish champions Malmö. He told Josh Schneider-Weiler how the Sky Blues are aiming to outdo richer European rivals in Europe, about his work with Brentford and Arsenal, and why Mikel Arteta is a cut above. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 01:35: Back at Malmö. Why the club is special. 06:37: 'Grandma coaching' - anyone can spot the best player in youth football; spotting the late developers is the key. 12:54: Why Malmö are so good at producing players. 15:50: Andreas's personal journey and career. 20:17: Individual Development Coach. How he got the job at Brentford (and then Arsenal) and what it involved. 28:55: How he came to get a job at Arsenal. Why Mikel Arteta is special. 33:06: Set piece coach. Work at Arsenal. Leading change. 43:26: Still in touch with Arteta and his staff. 'Sky is the limit' for them.

#37: Andreas Georgson: The Sky Blue Way With Malmö

Our guest on Episode #36 of the TGG Podcast was Francis Cagigao, the Director of Football for Chile. He told Josh Schneider-Weiler about his current role and his 24 years with Arsenal, where he was Head of International Scouting. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 0:37: How job with Chile came about/ 12 intense months to start. 5:04: StatDNA at Arsenal and use of data in football. 9:44: Ben Brereton Diaz - how he came to play for Chile and why he's become such an important player. 14:29: Why he left Arsenal after 24 years. "There was not a good feeling between myself and some people at the hierarchy." 18:29: Background/ career as a player and coach. 24:52: How he came to scout for Arsenal/ working with Arsene Wenger. 28:07: Discovering Cesc Fabregas. 35:51: How to scout character. 40:22: Why South America is the Continent with the most talent. 42:40: Ambitions for the future. 

Our guest on Episode #36 of the TGG Podcast was Francis Cagigao, the Director of Football for Chile. He told Josh Schneider-Weiler about his current role and his 24 years with Arsenal, where he was Head of International Scouting. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru =&gt; SHOW NOTES: 0:37: How job with Chile came about/ 12 intense months to start. 5:04: StatDNA at Arsenal and use of data in football. 9:44: Ben Brereton Diaz - how he came to play for Chile and why he's become such an important player. 14:29: Why he left Arsenal after 24 years. "There was not a good feeling between myself and some people at the hierarchy." 18:29: Background/ career as a player and coach. 24:52: How he came to scout for Arsenal/ working with Arsene Wenger. 28:07: Discovering Cesc Fabregas. 35:51: How to scout character. 40:22: Why South America is the Continent with the most talent. 42:40: Ambitions for the future.

#36: Francis Cagigao: Spotting talent with Arsenal and Chile

Phil Giles

Our guest on Episode #35 of the TGG Podcast was Phil Giles, the Director of Football for Brentford. He told Simon Austin about the club's first season in the Premier League, their use of specialist coaches and why they might reopen their Academy. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

Our guest on Episode #35 of the TGG Podcast was Phil Giles, the Director of Football for Brentford. He told Simon Austin about the club's first season in the Premier League, their use of specialist coaches and why they might reopen their Academy. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

#35: Phil Giles: Staying ahead of the curve at Brentford

Mariela Nisotaki

Mariela Nisotaki is Norwich City's Head of Emerging Talent and the only female scout on the circuit in the UK. In Episode #34 of the TGG Podcast, Nisotaki tells Simon Austin how she balances data and human eyes, about Norwich's ambitions and what it's like to be a female pioneer in football recruitment. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

Mariela Nisotaki is Norwich City's Head of Emerging Talent and the only female scout on the circuit in the UK. In Episode #34 of the TGG Podcast, Nisotaki tells Simon Austin how she balances data and human eyes, about Norwich's ambitions and what it's like to be a female pioneer in football recruitment. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

#34: Mariela Nisotaki: Norwich City’s scouting pioneer

Chris Ramsey

Chris Ramsey is one of the foremost coach educators in the UK. In Episode #33 of the TGG Podcast, he tells Josh Schneider-Weiler about his role as QPR's Technical Director and Head of Coaching, about his four decades in the game and why diversity is important. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

Chris Ramsey is one of the foremost coach educators in the UK. In Episode #33 of the TGG Podcast, he tells Josh Schneider-Weiler about his role as QPR's Technical Director and Head of Coaching, about his four decades in the game and why diversity is important. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

#33: Chris Ramsey: Educating the educators

Gregg Broughton

Gregg Broughton is the Academy Manager of Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt, having held the same role with Luton Town and Norwich City. In Episode #32 of the TGG Podcast, Gregg explains how the club do things differently when it comes to youth development - and how living in the moment is key. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

Gregg Broughton is the Academy Manager of Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt, having held the same role with Luton Town and Norwich City. In Episode #32 of the TGG Podcast, Gregg explains how the club do things differently when it comes to youth development - and how living in the moment is key. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

#32: Gregg Broughton - Youth development lessons from Bodø/Glimt

Owen Eastwood is one of the most in-demand performance coaches in world sport. He's worked with Harlequins Rugby, South Africa Cricket and, for the last five years, England football. In Episode #31 of the TGG Podcast, he explains what he does and how it's rooted in ancient cultures. For more information, visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

Owen Eastwood is one of the most in-demand performance coaches in world sport. He's worked with Harlequins Rugby, South Africa Cricket and, for the last five years, England football. In Episode #31 of the TGG Podcast, he explains what he does and how it's rooted in ancient cultures. For more information, visit <a href="https://trainingground.guru" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">trainingground.guru</a> or follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/ground_guru" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@ground_guru</a>

#31: Owen Eastwood: The ancient code of togetherness

Luke Bornn

In this episode, Luke Bornn tells us about his experiences in football and gives insights into the future of data science in the sport. Luke is a former Professor of Statistics at Harvard University, Head of Analytics at AS Roma and Vice President of Strategy and Analytics at the Sacramento Kings. Now he's the founder and chief scientist at Zelus Analytics, which aims to become the world's best sports intelligence platform.  For more information visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

In this episode, Luke Bornn tells us about his experiences in football and gives insights into the future of data science in the sport. Luke is a former Professor of Statistics at Harvard University, Head of Analytics at AS Roma and Vice President of Strategy and Analytics at the Sacramento Kings. Now he's the founder and chief scientist at Zelus Analytics, which aims to become the world's best sports intelligence platform.  For more information visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter @ground_guru

#30: Luke Bornn: The future of data science in football

Training Ground Guru Podcast

Dave Reddin

For this episode, Simon Austin went to St George’s Park to meet Dave Reddin, Head of Team Strategy and Performance at the Football Association. Last month, Reddin announced he would be stepping down from the role in December, after almost six years at the FA. Simon asked him about his eventful, and sometimes controversial, reign. 

For this episode, Simon Austin went to St George’s Park to meet Dave Reddin, Head of Team Strategy and Performance at the Football Association. Last month, Reddin announced he would be stepping down from the role in December, after almost six years at the FA. Simon asked him about his eventful, and sometimes controversial, reign.

#4: Dave Reddin: England's Performance Pioneer

Paul Balsom

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we spoke to Paul Balsom, Head of Performance Innovation for Leicester City. He spoke about the approach sports science during the title-winning season, player empowerment, building a culture at the club and using data in the future. Follow us on Twitter: @ground_guru https://trainingground.guru/

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we spoke to Paul Balsom, Head of Performance Innovation for Leicester City. He spoke about the approach sports science during the title-winning season, player empowerment, building a culture at the club and using data in the future. Follow us on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ground_guru" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@ground_guru</a> <a href="https://trainingground.guru/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://trainingground.guru/</a>

#8: Paul Balsom: To the Premier League and Beyond with Leicester City

Victor Orta

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, Simon Austin went to Elland Road to speak to Leeds United’s Sporting Director, Victor Orta. He's followed by Wyscout's CEO, Matteo Campodonico, who discusses how Wyscout is changing football.  

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, Simon Austin went to Elland Road to speak to Leeds United’s Sporting Director, Victor Orta. He's followed by Wyscout's CEO, Matteo Campodonico, who discusses how Wyscout is changing football.

#7: Victor Orta: Guiding the Leeds Revolution

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we’re at the TGG Youth Development Conference in Manchester. In this episode you’ll hear from three of our main speakers: Huddersfield Town Academy Manager Leigh Bromby, Hudl senior strategist John McGuigan, and Director of Coach Education for the Belgian FA Kris Van Der Haegen. 

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we’re at the TGG Youth Development Conference in Manchester. In this episode you’ll hear from three of our main speakers: Huddersfield Town Academy Manager Leigh Bromby, Hudl senior strategist John McGuigan, and Director of Coach Education for the Belgian FA Kris Van Der Haegen.

#3: Youth Development Conference

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we’re at Hudl’s 2019 Elite User Conference in Las Vegas. Host Derek Hernandez is joined by Cathal Garvey, Head of Performance Analysis for Rugby Australia, Ed Sulley, former Head of Research and Innovation for Manchester City, and Rhys Long, Head of Performance Analysis and Insight for the Football Association.

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we’re at Hudl’s 2019 Elite User Conference in Las Vegas. Host Derek Hernandez is joined by Cathal Garvey, Head of Performance Analysis for Rugby Australia, Ed Sulley, former Head of Research and Innovation for Manchester City, and Rhys Long, Head of Performance Analysis and Insight for the Football Association.

#5: Elite Analysts Forum

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, Josh Schneider-Weiler went to QPR’s training ground to speak to their Director of Football, Les Ferdinand. They talked about a new era at QPR, the club's approach to recruitment and what it's like to be a pioneer for black executives in the game.

#6: Les Ferdinand: From Boot Room to Boardroom

Danny Cowley

Huddersfield Town manager Danny Cowley tells TGG about his coaching journey and the values he's brought to Yorkshire.

Huddersfield Town manager Danny Cowley tells TGG about his coaching journey and the values he's brought to Yorkshire.

#14: Danny Cowley: Old school values & new methods

Tony Strudwick

Tony Strudwick, the Wales and Sheffield Wednesday Head of Performance, talks about coping during the coronavirus crisis, the future of sports science and his memories of working alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Tony Strudwick, the Wales and Sheffield Wednesday Head of Performance, talks about coping during the coronavirus crisis, the future of sports science and his memories of working alongside Sir Alex Ferguson.

#13: Tony Strudwick: The past, present and future of sports science

For this episode, TGG went to the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London to speak with Gerard Houllier. The former Liverpool manager spoke about changing the culture at Anfield, leaving a legacy and what he thinks about Jurgen Klopp and his current side. For more information visit trainingground.guru or follow us on Twitter, @ground_guru

For this episode, TGG went to the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London to speak with Gerard Houllier. The former Liverpool manager spoke about changing the culture at Anfield, leaving a legacy and what he thinks about Jurgen Klopp and his current side.   For more information visit <a href="/traininggroundguru/episode/trainingground.guru" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">trainingground.guru</a> or follow us on Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/ground_guru" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@ground_guru</a>

#12: Gerard Houllier: Taking Liverpool into the 21st Century

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Stewart Downing tells TGG about his 19th season in professional football. The 35-year-old also looks back on his time with Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Liverpool and England. 

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Stewart Downing tells TGG about his 19th season in professional football. The 35-year-old also looks back on his time with Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Liverpool and England.

#11: Stewart Downing: Final chapter in a stellar career

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