Inside The Aspire Summit: Coaching Lessons from Southgate, Benitez, Nancy & Nesta

In this episode, Gary Curneen is joined by Phil Phillipou, author of Inspiring Young Minds, to explore how coaches can build youth environments that go beyond drills and technique — and actually develop people. From the chaos of his first youth session back to the deeper psychology behind learning, Phil shares honest, experience-driven lessons for every coach working in today’s game. Together, they discuss: Why modern players struggle with verbal communication and social connection How to use football to teach respect, resilience, and teamwork The importance of structured chaos and why easy is boring Managing behavior through clear, fair hierarchy rather than punishment Tackling the social media and phone addiction challenge head-on How gratitude, persistence, and storytelling can transform player mindset Phil’s refreshing blend of humility and honesty makes this one of the most relevant coaching conversations of the year. If you’re passionate about creating meaningful environments for young players — not just compliant ones — this episode is a must-listen. 📚 Book: Inspiring Young Minds (available now on Amazon) 📲 Follow Phil: Instagram @mindsight_sports | LinkedIn: Phil Phillipou 🎙️ Hosted by Gary Curneen — Modern Soccer Coach

Get FREE notes here: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/post/inside-the-aspire-summit-coaching-lessons-from-southgate-benitez-nancy-nesta In this episode, Gary shares reflections from the 11th Aspire Academy Global Summit in Philadelphia — a two-day event hosted in collaboration with the Philadelphia Union and Major League Soccer. With world-class speakers like Rafa Benítez, Gareth Southgate, Wilfried Nancy, and Alessandro Nesta, the conference tackled football’s biggest coaching questions — from tactical evolution to leadership, communication, and the mindset needed to keep learning in an ever-changing game. Gary breaks down his biggest takeaways and how coaches at every level can apply them in their own environments.

On this week’s Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary sits down in Rio de Janeiro with André Medeiros, the man who has helped shape Fluminense’s methodology for over 25 years. Recorded during Gary’s recent visit as part of the TetraBrazil Tour, this conversation dives deep into how Brazil’s most respected academies view player development, coaching, and the evolving game. André shares incredible insights on: Why respect sits at the very top of Fluminense’s core values. How coaches are taught to see themselves not as the center of the process, but as facilitators of player growth. The club’s belief that “we don’t build players — we develop them,” focusing on character, adaptability, and intelligence. The balance between athleticism, speed, and decision-making in the modern player. Why the future of football might see positions disappear entirely, replaced by fluid, dynamic systems built on player versatility. Beyond tactics and systems, André speaks passionately about the human side of the game — education, psychology, cooperation, and humility — all foundational pillars of how Fluminense produces not just great players, but great people.

Check out TetraBrazil below: https://www.tetrabrazil.com/ Gary is joined by Gabriel Bussinger (Vasco da Gama) to explore their unique approach to elite player development. Gabriel explains the following: ✨ What it means to be player-centered vs. game-centered ✨ Balancing chaos and organization in development ✨ Why methodology should grow from practice to theory—not the other way around Standout quotes: 👉 “Rails confine talent. Trails give direction but leave freedom for creativity.” 👉 “Coaching is not the man inside the office. Coaching is walking with players, talking with them at breakfast, learning their culture, and caring for them as people.” 👉 “A Vasco player is technical, but above all, he is brave. He plays not only for the game, but for his family, his community, and to overcome the challenges of favela life.”

Watch John's full presentation FREE below: https://www.modernsoccercoach.com/product-page/purpose-planning-and-people-insight-into-jamaica-s-blueprint-with-john-wall In this episode, John Wall shares insights from his time as assistant coach for the Jamaican National Team (2022–2024). He discusses how to maximize player strengths, simplify complexity, and create repeatable structures, even with limited resources. Topics include transitions, defensive organization, set pieces, player development, and balancing tactical structure with freedom. John also reflects on the realities of coaching and how observation, pragmatism, and humility can drive team success. Key takeaway: Coaching isn’t about doing everything—it’s about focusing on what truly matters and empowering players to perform at their best. This podcast is sponsored by Actavivo! Actavivo is a free team and group communication app built for clubs, schools, sports teams, neighbourhoods, and organisations. It helps people connect, organise, and manage group activities more effectively—all in one place. Actavivo Website: https://actavivo.com App Store: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/actavivo/id1611252168 Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actavivo&hl=en_US

Join MSC Insider Below: https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions Jes is current Director of Football and Data Science at the Saudi Pro League and former Head of Research & Development at FC Copenhagen. He unpacks the science behind “football intelligence" and explains why vague terms like game IQ fall short, and how neuroscience can help coaches break intelligence down into concrete, trainable skills like attention, scanning, pattern recognition, and decision-making. Jes shares practical insights from his work in elite football, showing how cognitive science can reshape analysis, training, and player development.

Join MSC Insider and access Ian's full presentation below: https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions In recent years, creativity in football has become a hot topic. Many fans, coaches, and analysts have noticed that the modern game, while faster and more tactically advanced, sometimes feels robotic. Players follow strict systems, teams recycle familiar patterns, and moments of genuine spontaneity feel rare. Ian McCall has taken an in-depth look at this topic and provided a full presentation that provides insight and ideas on what coaches can do to design environments that keep creativity alive. In this interview, he looks at the following: - Has football become too efficient and lost its creative spark? - The difference between individual, collaborative, and collective creativity. - How data, structure, and business pressures are shaping the modern game. - Why society and education systems also impact creativity on the pitch. - The role of coaches in creating safe environments for risk-taking. Practical ideas to design training that fosters imagination and spontaneity.

Join MSC Insider Below: https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions Gary is joined by Sue Parris, an emotional welfare specialist who has worked in professional football. for almost 15 years. Sue is an emotional intelligence advocate and developer, as well as Founder of The Changing Room and Simply Human and Head of Welfare and senior consultant for The Player Care Group. She spent eight years at Brighton and Hove Albion working as Education, Welfare, and Player Services Manager. In this interview Sue discusses: - The real definition of mental health - The complexity of football environments - Advice on vulnerability in the daily environment - Mistakes that coaches and leaders can make in this area And much more!

Gary is joined by Carsten Dohm, Head of Coaching San Diego FC (MLS) and Right To Dream. The San Diego FC project started last year, but Right To Dream have been impacting the football development world in a big way for over 25 years. They believe that "Everyone has the right to dream and talent deserves opportunity." Their work all over the world has launched the careers of 146 professional football players, equipped hundreds of our students with a first-class education and enabled further education opportunities and scholarship. In this interview Carsten discusses the vision and values of Right To Dream, the challenges of aligning that culture in the US professional landscape, plus the emphasis on technical detail and individual development. This is an interview about learning, teaching, development, passion, and most importantly, opportunity. Please join the MSC Insider here: https://modernsoccercoach.mimentorportal.com/subscriptions

Gary is joined by author and coach Tim Stegmann to discuss his outstanding new book Xabi Campeon. Tim takes an in-depth look at Xabi's coaching journey including his personal influences, the remarkable transformation at Leverkusen and the tactical innovations behind Alonso’s dynamic and dominant style. What influential methodologies from Spanish football form the foundation of his philosophy? And why do coaches from the Basque Country suceed almost everywhere? In his interview, Tim talks about his research and work around the tactical portrait of one of the most exciting coaches in world football - Xabi Alonso. You can order a copy of Tim's book here: https://buchshop.bod.de/xabi-campeon-tim-stegmann-9783819228698 We are excited to team up with Soccer Coach Weekly for this episode. Since 2006, they’ve helped over 50,000 coaches, parents, and teachers around the world — and now they’ve redesigned everything with U.S. volunteer coaches in mind. Each week, you’ll get proven practice plans, fun small-sided games, and coaching advice that’s easy to use, right off your phone or laptop. Modern Soccer Coach listeners get 50% off a full year of premium access with the code GARY50. Click below to take advantage of the offer! www.soccercoachweekly.net/scw-usa#utm_…=US+campaign ( if this link doesn't work use this link instead: soccercoachweekly.net/scw-usa )