In this episode, we interview my former college teammate Phil Gomez, currently FC Dallas U12 Academy Coach, U11/U12 Coordinator and U17 Assistant Coach.  Phil Gomez is a member of the FC Dallas Academy Coaching staff.  In 2019, FC Dallas was recognised as the MLS Academy of the Year. 

"When it comes to player production, FC Dallas has been an undisputed leader in the United States. Over the past 15 years, FC Dallas Youth has produced more than 1,500 athletes to college programs, while signing 28 players to home grown, professional contracts since 2009, the most in Major League Soccer. Twelve current first-team rostered players were developed in the FC Dallas Academy, also highest in MLS. In the past 12 months, alone, FC Dallas has had 38 male players participate in US National Team camps and competitions from the U14 category through the Full Men’s National Team."  [https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2020/05/05/fc-dallas-join-ecnl-boys-2020-2021-season]

Phil Gomez was an NCAA Division 1  College Soccer Player at Columbia University where he majored in Engineering.  Phil represented the Puerto Rican National team for over 10 years (for whom he was eligible through his Mother) including caps in 1 World Cup Qualifier and 5 Gold Cup Qualifiers.  Phil also played in the  USISL Westchester Flames/Brooklyn Knights.  

Tune in to hear why Phil believes the FC Dallas Academy is successful, the details of what training is like everyday at the academy, how they believe they can improve, and get an understanding of his personal journey into coaching, and the values that have led to his opportunities and success.  

In this episode, we once again welcome Ranjit Bajaj as he candidly discusses exiting Punjab FC, and his thoughts on what may or may not happen with professional football in India, and how he thinks about the future of player development.  Disagree with him, or criticize him, but once again, true to form, Ranjit is straight forward, pulls no punches and gives you honest answers from the heart.

In this not to be missed episode, yet again, we feature one of the top coaches in Indian football.  Pradhyum Reddy, known to many of you for his work as a color commentator on Star Sports details his start in coaching in the UK, going to the United States to get really hands on with youth development, coaching summers in his hometown Bangalore, winning promotion to the I-League in his first professional head coaching role with Shillong Lajong, winning the I-League on those great Bengaluru teams as an assistant coach, serving as Technical Director for Pune City FC in the ISL and now commentating on national television.

Pradhyum, holder of multiple coaching licenses and qualifications from the UK, USA, Brazil and India, candidly shares his views about coaching and building a coaching career, coach education, player development and youth structures, and...winning.  Pradhyum's colourful storytelling with descriptive anecdotes is very informative and entertaining!

Enjoy the listen!

In this episode, listen in as I articulate my views in more granular detail on the back of today's Scroll.in article on the 2nd Division where some of my views have been shared.  I will very clearly share simple concepts that can lower costs, increase games, increase participation, increase sustainability and improve the stakeholder collaboration within our ecosystem.

In this episode with Floyd Pinto, who most recently led the U19 National Team and Indian Arrows in the I-League, discover how a Bombay boy went from pursuing engineering to not only striving to be a football coach but thriving at the profession.  Floyd shares with us how he got his start, the importance of the opportunity to participate in school sport, and the impact of receiving support and mentorship from school administrators.  He details the door opening at Kenkre FC, how it catapulted his career and how he undertook coaching courses in England.  We also discuss his time as U17 World Cup assistant to Luis Norton de Matos(currently Royal Antwerp FC), the role of an assistant and how it changed when he became U19 National Team Head Coach.  Floyd details the factors that led to the Indian Arrows successful I-League season where they finished in 8th place out of the relegation zone playing with a young team and no foreigners, including the draw with Venezuela and famous victory over Argentina.  He talks about changing a playing a style and developing his own philosophy, success, and setbacks and shares his thoughts about what we need to do as a country to accelerate our player development.

For those of you wanting to break into coaching, and those of you who have the ambition to coach at the national level, this is another informative and inspirational conversation!

In this preview, former U19 and Indian Arrows Head Coach Floyd Pinto gives us the simplest formula he can for a player who aspires to play in the ISL and for India.  Stay tuned for the entire interview which is full of great insights in developing your coaching career and getting results at the national team level!

In this candid episode with former British Royal Marine Commando Simon Rushton, we delve into his training and combat experiences and how a footballer or athlete of any kind can apply these values to getting the most out of their potential.  Learn about intrinsic motivation, performance standards, preparation for training, training for combat, discipline and accountability.  Are you pushing yourself hard enough?

In Episode 11, Dipankur Sharma talks about his career transition from being a lawyer to becoming a full time football coach and his experiences coaching youth in Mexico City.  Dipankur began coaching youth at Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools, has completed his AFC 'A' coaching qualification amongst other courses.  Listen in as Dipankur details some of the challenges he faced in transitioning his career, the value of persistence and some of the learning opportunities from his current role at an academy in Mexico City that have helped him get out of his comfort zone and grow.  Another candid interview that is informational and inspiring!  

In Episode 10, Siju Mathew details her journey as a child growing up in Mumbai and falling in love with the game to becoming a journalist covering the game across the country from all angles.  Siju is well know for her work as a writer, reporter and podcaster for The Fan Garage, where she wrote on Indian football and badminton. In 2018 she moved to the role of Head of Media for Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC) working closely with Dinesh Nair.  Since then, alongide her work at the AIFC, she has kick-started a personal project called the Humans of Indian Football along with run by Ajay Menon, Vinay Dhareshwar and Ashutosh who run the Forza India football academy.

Listen in as Siju talks about how she got her start, the moment she got the chance to cover the local Bombay league, and her now prominent role covering the game across the country.  For aspiring sports journalists, fans of the game, players and coaches who have an interest in media and a unique perspective, this is a great interview!

Long time youth coach and player from Mumbai, currently Founder and Head Coach of Football Club of Mumbaikers, Firmin D'Souza details his journey as SAFF Cup Champion Head Coach of the U15 Indian Women's Team and discusses some finer aspects of developing coaches and players today.  

In this episode I welcome Chiranjit Ojha, well known journalist from The Fan Garage. Get the latest on the match fixing allegations swirling at TRAU, his in depth views on the ATK Mohun Bagan merger, what it all means for East Bengal, and our joint admiration for Mohammedan Sporting.  If you love all things Calcutta football this is a great episode!

In this episode, I welcome former India Captain Gouramangi Singh, who capped 71 times for India, has won the I-League, won the ISL, recently and successfully completed his AFC 'A' License, and is currently assistant coach at FC Bengaluru United.  He is also promoter of Kago Sports a football and wellness academy in Imphal, Manipur.  Gouramangi has played for many clubs including Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, Chennaiyin and Neroca in a long and prosperous 17 year career.  

Listen in as Gouramangi details his journey from a challenging start, including lesser known aspects of playing under Stephen Constantine at the start of his career, Bob Houghton as he matured, and Wim Koevermans later in his career;  the influence Savio Medeira has had on him; and the individual and team qualities that led to so much success, especially with regards to those famous Churchill teams he played on.  

This is a must listen for all aspiring footballers.  

In this episode I welcome Punjab FC co-owner Ranjit Bajaj.  Ranjit is outspoken and clear on his views across Indian football.  He speaks about his dreams for the 2034 World Cup, shares his views on the recent ATK Mohun Bagan merger, and also tells us about how he handles fear and failure.  

In this episode, I welcome Richard Hood.  Richard is currently the Head Coach of FC Bengaluru United who finished 3rd in their inaugural season in the Bangalore Super Division.  Richard has coached at  the famed Tata Football Academy, and Bengaluru FC. He is an instructor for the AFC A license course, the mastermind of the Baby League platform which he launched during his time at the AIFF.  He has amongst other accolades completed deep study internships at clubs including Athletic Bilbao in Spain, Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia, Sparta Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven in The Netherlands.  He holds both a UEFA A License and UEFA Elite Youth A Diploma. He was also the Head of Player Development for the All India Football Federation before taking up his role with FC Bengaluru United.

Learn practical moneyball insights from coaches and executives in Indian football who are getting results in sports business and coaching across India.