In this episode of the MSC Podcast, Gary Curneen is joined by Natalie Henderson, Assistant Coach with the Canada Women’s National Team and former England and Newcastle United coach.
Natalie's coach support work is below:
padlockpad.com/nh-coach-support
Together, they explore one of the most important — and often overlooked — challenges in modern football: how to stay authentic in a world full of information, judgment, and noise.
Natalie opens up about:
The growing pressure on coaches to “know everything”
Finding balance between curiosity and confidence
Leading experts across sports science, medicine, and analysis
Creating authentic environments where players and staff can be themselves
Protecting time for football amid meetings and distractions
The “167 Rule” and why every coach plays a role in player psychology
Building trust through genuine mentorship rather than tick-box programs
From imposter syndrome to leadership, from player development to coach well-being, Natalie’s honesty shines through every topic. This is a must-listen for anyone trying to balance clarity, vulnerability, and growth in their coaching journey.
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In this episode of the MSC Podcast, Gary Curneen is joined by Natalie Henderson, Assistant Coach with the Canada Women’s National Team and former England and Newcastle United coach.
Natalie's coach support work is below:
padlockpad.com/nh-coach-support
Together, they explore one of the most important — and often overlooked — challenges in modern football: how to stay authentic in a world full of information, judgment, and noise.
Natalie opens up about:
The growing pressure on coaches to “know everything”
Finding balance between curiosity and confidence
Leading experts across sports science, medicine, and analysis
Creating authentic environments where players and staff can be themselves
Protecting time for football amid meetings and distractions
The “167 Rule” and why every coach plays a role in player psychology
Building trust through genuine mentorship rather than tick-box programs
From imposter syndrome to leadership, from player development to coach well-being, Natalie’s honesty shines through every topic. This is a must-listen for anyone trying to balance clarity, vulnerability, and growth in their coaching journey.
Street to Structure: How Brazil Builds Better Thinkers, Not Just Technicians with Eduardo Oliviera
Modern Soccer Coach Podcast
1 hour 3 minutes 48 seconds
2 weeks ago
Street to Structure: How Brazil Builds Better Thinkers, Not Just Technicians with Eduardo Oliviera
In this episode of the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast, Gary sits down in Brazil with Eduardo Oliviera, an experienced coach who has worked with Brazil youth national teams and U20 teams at Botofogo, Atletico Mineiro, and Fluminese. He is also the author of the excellent book: Brazilian Coaching Methodology: Foundation Phases (Ages 5-12).
Eduardo offers a fascinating look at what truly defines Brazilian football — a culture that values joy, creativity, and learning through play, while still evolving within a modern, organized framework.
🔑 Key Topics Discussed
The Foundation Phase in Brazil: How 5–12-year-olds learn through games, not constant instruction.
Street Soccer & Futsal: Why “the game is the teacher” and how variety of surfaces, ages, and formats builds creativity.
Pedagogical Progression: Moving from street → futsal → 6v6 → 11v11 as a logical learning journey.
The Role of the Coach: When and how to intervene — and why observation can sometimes teach more than feedback.
Balancing Structure & Freedom: “Be organized, but not too organized” — the secret to keeping Brazilian football’s soul alive.
Parent & Cultural Challenges: Managing pressure, pay-to-play systems, and helping families understand long-term development.
Education & the Player Pathway: Why Brazil’s “tripod” of school, club, and family must align for success.
Relationism & Coaching Identity: How labels can limit understanding, and why context is everything.
Developing Coaches as Learners: Treating coaches as your “players” and building IDPs to raise standards across an organization.
Modern Soccer Coach Podcast
In this episode of the MSC Podcast, Gary Curneen is joined by Natalie Henderson, Assistant Coach with the Canada Women’s National Team and former England and Newcastle United coach.
Natalie's coach support work is below:
padlockpad.com/nh-coach-support
Together, they explore one of the most important — and often overlooked — challenges in modern football: how to stay authentic in a world full of information, judgment, and noise.
Natalie opens up about:
The growing pressure on coaches to “know everything”
Finding balance between curiosity and confidence
Leading experts across sports science, medicine, and analysis
Creating authentic environments where players and staff can be themselves
Protecting time for football amid meetings and distractions
The “167 Rule” and why every coach plays a role in player psychology
Building trust through genuine mentorship rather than tick-box programs
From imposter syndrome to leadership, from player development to coach well-being, Natalie’s honesty shines through every topic. This is a must-listen for anyone trying to balance clarity, vulnerability, and growth in their coaching journey.
