A year ago we launched the first Breaking Lines Episode! 12 months later and 41 episoes in, we look back at how the years gone. From the 1st episode we recorded (and edited... a lot) in a studio in Canary Wharf through to the interview series, Whistleblowers and moving to video, we learned a lot along the way!

At some point in a footballer’s career they ponder life after football. For some remaining in the game is of little interest while for others remaining involved is the end goal; 15years as a player but a lifetime as a coach perhaps! So becoming a coach is something that even as a young professional players are given the opportunity to experience. And as the twilight of the career approaches, the first tentative steps are made into the world of coaching!  For many the first toe in the water as a player-coach can be filled with dread. Organising and delivering to your peers can leave even the most confident leader and confident pro quivvering. The dry mouth, the sweaty palms and the awkward search for their first coaching voice. Its a well worn path but there is no shortcut; time on task and doing the hard yards is vital if you wish to make a success of your coaching career wether your goal is to become a top-class coach working at the first team level or your passion is to develop the players of tomorrow! Join us as we take you through the journey when your move from player to coach and cross the rubicon!

Even the best managers eventually run out of credit - but it just depends who they lose it with first... the dressing room? The Fans? Or even the ownership or executive group? And if you lose the media, its a whole other world of pain. Join us as we discuss the challenegs of ensuring everyones account is topped up regularly!

Our listeners questions - answered! A good spread of queries including contract negotiations and tactics, the importance of craft and subject knowledge in performance and medical roles, and lessons learned from clubs and what we took forward positively from each environment!

Talismen pervade sport - great and iconic athletes who stand tallest among other tall trees.  While they come in all shapes and sizes, the talisman that the team relies on can fulfil many roles - motivator, coagulant, leader, great player and dressing room general; Whilst others lead a more quite life and come to the fore when the game starts and their class-leading talent breaks out. Managing a talisman can come with challenges too - get them onboard and they can be another coach on the pitch and in the team! Yet some also have the ego - and perhaps the arrogance - to believe that they are more influential than the Head Coach... and that when issues can present themselves. History in sport in littered with example of top players who become bigger than the coach, the team and perhaps the club!  So join us as we explore how having a talisman in your team can be a huge positive, a potential negative but undoubtedly a force for good when they are playing well, full of confidence and leading from the front!

We’re entering a new era for football; its moving from HD to 8K! And IMPECT is an analytics platform that is revolutionising Analysis AND Recruitment! Gary Rowett and Dave Carolan are joined by Robert Rogers from IMPECT to further discuss the system and give more detail on the types of analysis that is available and how recruitment can be role based, rather than position based!

The tools that elite level coaches and analysts use to observe the game is changing... and IMPECT is a revolutionary new tool that is disrupting our understanding of the game? Developed by former Bundesliga Players Stefan Reinartz and Jens Hegeler, Impect is now used by almost 90% of Bundesliga Teams and is spreading its wings across the globe. In this episode we sit down with Robert Rogers, Head of UK Football Development for IMPECT to bring you insights into how this new system is allowing us the see the game like never before, and introduce many of the concepts that underpin how this analysis form is going to shift coaching and analysis thinking Watch out for part 2... coming soon! #football #soccer #futebol #epl #efl #manager #headcoach #performance #sportsscience #fitness #tactics #derby #winners #analysis #IMPECT #Packing #Bundesliga

In (almost) every club across the globe, the 10 Game point is normally a waypoint for everyone! So what are those in the coaching offices thinking at the 10-game point? In this episode, we dive into the crucial first 10 games of the season—where momentum is everything. A positive start can set the tone for a title charge or a comfortable run towards safety, boosting confidence in players and fans alike. But what happens when things go wrong? We’ll break down how a poor start can send shockwaves through the squad, inviting pressure from the media and fans, and leading to drastic decisions behind the scenes. Join us as we explore the fine margins between flying high and falling into early-season panic.

Join Dave Carolan and Gary Rowett for a lively chat about the changing game for sports captains! They dive into what makes a great leader on the field, highlighting the fun of building trust and team spirit. Discover how today’s captains juggle various roles, from strategy gurus to cheerleaders, while keeping the vibe positive. They’ll also tackle the ups and downs of managing different personalities, discuss the cool concept of leadership groups, and take a peek into the future of sports leadership as coaching and management evolve. It’s a conversation packed with insights and good vibes!

What should go and what should stay? There have been some great / strange / embarrassing and downright pointless elements within the world of professional football over the years. And now we explore which ones we’ve loved and loathed and decide which ones should go into Dressing Room 101 - where they go into purgatory

Data pervades football today - everyone knows everything! Stats, stats and more stats and we’re even inventing new stats to make the old stats even richer in detail and specificity. But at what point does the need for information overrun our need for entertainment and enjoyment of the game. For media providers like Sky and BBC it is used to inform and explain the game. Wether in post-match or in-game analysis, data and stats are used to add more colour to the game and perhaps better represent and describe what is ahppening. But on another level is it taking away some of the art of being a player, a coach or the game itself! With coaches manipulating the way the game is played in order to produce more ’attractive’ stats, has football lost its way with data? #football #soccer #futebol #epl #efl #manager #headcoach #performance #sportsscience #fitness #tactics #derby #winners #losers #data #dataanalytics #stats

In this chat, Harvey Bussell, head of recruitment at Manchester United Women, shares some interesting insights into the world of women’s football. He dives into the ups and downs of the recent summer transfer window, the exciting growth of the women’s game, and how data is playing a key role in recruitment strategies. Harvey also talks about his shift from men’s to women’s football, highlighting the differences in infrastructure and the ever-competitive landscape of the Women’s Super League (WSL). He stresses the importance of stability in management and how crucial it is to truly understand the unique dynamics of women’s football as it keeps evolving.

Summary In this episode, Gary and Dave discuss the first meeting with players as a manager and how to manage the team behind the team. They also share their favorite games they’ve managed, & discuss various topics related to football, including the excitement of late goals, the use of data and analytics in coaching, the evolution of pitches and support services, and the correlation between performance metrics and points won. They highlight the importance of understanding the specific needs and strengths of a team and adapting the style of play accordingly. The conversation provides insights into the changing landscape of football and the role of data in decision-making.

Love them or hate them, International Breaks in Professional Football at the Elite level can be a blessing or a hex in equal measure! When youre on a good run they can break momentum - on a poor run, they can provide restbite. But changing whats happening in your squad is not easy, especially if half of your squad is scatterred to the 4 corners of the globe. Join us as we discuss the unique challenge of International Breaks!

In this pod, Dave and Gary discuss the summer transfer window and the challenges and strategies involved in player recruitment. They talk about the importance of timing and the pressure to get deals done before the window closesand also touch on the role of agents in the transfer process and the need for trust and good communication between clubs. They then discuss the impact of player departures on team dynamics and the need to find suitable replacements while also highlight the importance of character and cultural fit when signing new players.

Bryan Gunn is a Premier League legend. Instantly recognisable, he has done it all in football. But not without the tests that beset all in the game he has triumphed over adversity with a positivity and personality that are a hallmark of those who define the fabric of the game. Some brilliant stories and reflections of experiences in a career that swung from cleaning Alex McLeish’s boots & baby sitting for #SirAlexFerguson, to triumphing over Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium! A fascinating hour with Gunny!

John Percy is in the know - not like your mate know someone who know someone - John ACTUALLY knows whats going on in football behind the scenes. And as one of the countries leading football journalists specialising on English Midlands clubs, he breaks many stories. And the art and science of doing this is illuminating! From humble beginnings and learning the ropes, he has carved himself a niche in being a trusted source both within the game and in the wider public’s opinion too! And all while holding a secret passion as his alter-career! Join us as we spend a fascinating hour with John Percy!

Summary Matt Smith, former footballer, discusses his career and experiences in the sport. He talks about his transition from non-league football to professional clubs, including Oldham, Leeds, Fulham, and Millwall. Smith reflects on the challenges and successes he faced throughout his career, including scoring goals against Liverpool and Everton. He also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the football season and the strange training sessions during that time. Matt Smith discusses his experience with different training philosophies in football and how the game has evolved over the years. He highlights Slavisa Jokanovic as a trailblazer in modern coaching methods. Matt also talks about his approach to scoring goals and the importance of repetition and practice. He shares his experiences of having conversations with managers about playing time and how he valued honesty and respect in those discussions. Matt also discusses the role of data in football and the balance between using data and relying on intuition. He talks about his transition into the business world with Sequel and the challenges he faces in his new role.

We begin our new season with Winter - Henry Winter. The sports journalism great joins us to discuss the art of being one of the best in the buisness and the secrets behind staying at the forefront of football stories for nearly 40 years. A fascinating listen which has interest and surprise around every corner!

Pre-Season is here again and its not everyone’s cup of tea! From the first day MOT for the players, to international tours, its a phoney war in preparation for the start of the season! Its the vegetables you had to eat with dinner for the players - you dont necessarily like it but you know you need it. For coaches its building a 5-6 week programme to maximise fitness, teach the playing philosophy, developing team cohesion and ensuring that the pre-season gives you the launchpad for a successful season start. But get it wrong and theres a whole heap of trouble looming! In this episode Gary and Dave take you behind the scenes of how pro clubs will figure it all out. From planning the tour 6 months in advance to the players who just love the running - because it might be better than their footballing!