Training Ground Guru Podcast
Episodes
Matt Crocker: Shaping US Soccer's long-term vision
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode #76 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Genius Sports, is with US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker. Matt has been in...
Merijn Zeeman: Outsmarting the opposition at AZ Alkmaar
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #75 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Teamworks, is Merijn Zeeman. Merijn is the General Manager of AZ Alkmaar - a team tha...
Jamie Hamilton: Time to break free of positionism
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #74 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Teamworks, is Jamie Hamilton. Jamie is a UEFA A Licence coach and has become one of t...
Rob Mackenzie: Leading Tottenham's talent hunt
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #73 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Teamworks, is Rob Mackenzie. Rob is the Head of Scouting at Tottenham and has worked ...
Tom Heaton: Leading Manchester United's new era
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #72 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Teamworks, is Manchester United and England goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Tom is playing his...
Nick Montgomery: Tottenham triumph & career in coaching
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #71 of the TGG Podcast is Nick Montgomery, Ange Postecoglou's Assistant at Nottingham Forest. The duo worked together at Tottenha...
Simon Wilson: Driving success with strategy at Man City & Stockport
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #70 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Teamworks Intelligence, is Simon Wilson. Simon is the Chief Executive of Stockport Co...
Luke Bornn: Toulouse, Teamworks & making a difference with data
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #69 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Teamworks, is Luke Bornn. Luke has been one of the leading figures in sports analyt...
The past, present and future of tracking data
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tracking data has transformed the way clubs analyse the game. This cornucopia of information is shaped and analysed by data scientists to create valua...
Andrew Nestor: Leading West Brom's new era
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #67 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Genius Sports, is Andrew Nestor. Andrew is the Sporting Director of West Brom, workin...
Vitor Matos: Elite developer
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's great to be back for Season 6 of the TGG Podcast - and with a new sponsor, Genius Sports. Our first guest of the new season is Vitor Matos, the f...
Robbie Savage: Pundit to Manager
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #65 of the TGG Podcast is Robbie Savage. As a player, Robbie made 346 Premier League appearances and captained four clubs. Afte...
Paul Fernie: English Sporting Director making a mark in Germany
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #64 of the TGG Podcast is Paul Fernie. Paul is Sporting Director of SV Darmstadt in Germany. He grew up in Hull and worked in ana...
Danny Röhl: Masterminding Sheffield Wednesday's Great Escape
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #63 of the TGG Podcast is Danny Röhl. Danny led Sheffield Wednesday to one of English football's great escapes last season. When...
Natasha Patel: Innovating in New York and Southampton
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #62 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Natasha Patel. Natasha is Assistant Academy Director at Southampton and one ...
Rene Maric: From blogging to Bayern Munich (Part 2)
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here is Part 2 of our interview with Bayern Munich Head of Coach Development & Playing Philosophy Rene Maric. In this second half, Rene told us ho...
Rene Maric: From blogging to Bayern Munich (Part 1)
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #61 of the TGG Podcast is René Marić. The Austrian is one of the most interesting and highly-rated young coaches in European fo...
Radhi Jaidi: Breaking barriers as a player and coach
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #60 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Radhi Jaidi. Radhi is a true legend of Tunisian football, having played 105 ...
Ruben Selles: In the eye of the storm at Reading
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #59 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Reading manager Ruben Selles. The highly-rated coach gained plaudits for the...
Chris O’Loughlin: Upsetting the odds with Union Saint-Gilloise
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #58 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Chris O'Loughlin. Chris is the Sporting Director of Union Saint Gilloise, on...
Kevin Thelwell: Building something to believe in at Everton
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #57 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Everton Director of Football Kevin Thelwell. Kevin tells Simon Austin about ...
Jes Buster Madsen: Neuroscience and developing decision making
28 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #56 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Jes Buster Madsen. Jes is Head of Research and Development for FC Copenhagen...
Mark Leyland: Evolving the role of the analyst
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #55 of the TGG Podcast is Mark Leyland. Mark is one of the foremost analysts in this country and has become much more than that...
Sarah Rudd: Arsenal’s analytics pioneer
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #54 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Sarah Rudd. For almost a decade, Sarah was Vice President of Analytics for S...
Pep Lijnders: Liverpool’s intensity identity (Part 2)
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode #53 of the TGG Podcast is with Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders. The Dutchman sat down with Simon Austin at the AXA Training Centre for an exc...
Pep Lijnders: Liverpool’s intensity identity (Part 1)
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode #53 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is with Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders. The Dutchman sat down with Simon Austin at the AXA...
Ian Evatt & Chris Markham: Bringing Bolton back
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode #52 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl, features two guests:Â Bolton manager Ian Evatt and his Sporting Director Ch...
Conor Nestor: Using analysis to get ahead in Asian football
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #50 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Conor Nestor. Conor is the new coach of Hyderabad in the Indian Super Leag...
Des Ryan: Athletic development of Academy players
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #50 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Des Ryan. Des is Director of Coaching and Performance at ...
Pedro Marques: Inside Benfica’s talent factory
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #49 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Pedro Marques, the Technical Director of Benfica's Academy. There's a strong...
Stuart Webber: Six years and beyond at Norwich City
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest on Episode #48 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Norwich City Sporting Director Stuart Webber. SHOW NOTES ...
Tom Vernon: Giving everyone a Right to Dream
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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. => SHOW ...
David Sumpter: A curiosity-based approach to data
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, Barce...
TGG Extra: Justin Cochrane's Coaching Tips
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the first instalment of a new series called TGG Extra, Justin Cochrane gives his tips for current and aspiring coaches.
Justin Cochrane: Content and connection
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Br...
Sally Needham: Human Development at Sheffield United
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Rui Faria: Creating a new era for football
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Sean Dyche: Building Burnley and beyond
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Steven Reid: The person as well as the player
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Episode #41 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is with Steven Reid. The former midfielder played in the Premier League for Blackburn, Wes...
Damien Comolli: From Tou-lose to Tou-win
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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. D...
Inside the Southampton Learning Lab
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode we go inside Southampton's innovative new Learning Lab with two of its leadership team - Head of Technical Development Iain Brunnschw...
Rene Meulensteen: Inside track on the Man Utd glory years
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 B...
Andreas Georgson: The Sky Blue Way With Malmö
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Francis Cagigao: Spotting talent with Arsenal and Chile
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 r...
Phil Giles: Staying ahead of the curve at Brentford
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Mariela Nisotaki: Norwich City’s scouting pioneer
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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, Niso...
Chris Ramsey: Educating the educators
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Gregg Broughton - Youth development lessons from Bodø/Glimt
31 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Owen Eastwood: The ancient code of togetherness
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 la...
Luke Bornn: The future of data science in football
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 form...
Dave Alred: Performing under pressure
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dave Alred gives us his guide to performing under pressure. The performance coach has a CV that's hard to match. He's worked with spo...
Russell Martin: People and purpose at MK Dons
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
MK Dons manager Russell Martin tells TGG about the importance of people and purpose, why he won't change his beliefs on style of play and the importan...
Michael Beale: Inside story of Rangers' renaissance
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rangers first-team coach Michael Beale tells TGG about working with Steven Gerrard, winning the Scottish title for the first time in a decade and his ...
Emma Hayes: Quest for the quadruple
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chelsea Women's manager Emma Hayes talks about her team's quest for the quadruple this season, outlines her leadership philosophy and gives her though...
Laurence Stewart: Rebuilding AS Monaco
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Laurence Stewart, the Head of Recruitment and Development at Monaco, tells TGG about his work with the resurgent French club. For more information vis...
Brian Ashton: 'Best in class' coach & mentor
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Former England rugby coach Brian Ashton, who now works for the Premier League as an educator and mentor, tells TGG about the lessons he has learned du...
Marijn Beuker: Innovating at AZ Alkmaar
27 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Marijn Beuker, the Sport Development Director at AZ Alkmaar, explains how the club manages to punch above its weight in the Dutch Eredivisie by doing ...
Jamie Carragher: The art of TV analysis
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher tells TGG how he analyses matches, gives insight on his use of tech and shares his thoughts on ...
Dan Micciche: Developing Arsenal's next generation
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Under-16s coach Dan Micciche reveals what goes on inside the Arsenal Academy, including their four pillars, how they encourage players to take respons...
Dan Ashworth: Inside the mind of a Technical Director
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Brighton Technical Director Dan Ashworth explains what he does in his role, reveals the long-term ambitions of the club and reflects on his six years ...
Davide Ancelotti: Everton's new era
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everton assistant Davide Ancelotti talks about what it's like to work alongside his famous father, how impressed he has been with Dominic Calvert-Lewi...
The Future Game
27 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is brought to you from TGG's The Future Game virtual conference. We hear from England rugby coach Eddie Jones; Right to Dream founder and...
Alex Inglethorpe - Creating new history with Liverpool
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode, TGG traveled to Kirkby to speak with the Liverpool Academy Manager, Alex Inglethorpe. For more information visit trainingground.g...
Pippa Grange - How to 'win deep'
21 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Pippa Grange, the former Head of People and Team Development for the Football Association, talks about her work with England, her current role with...
Nick Cox - Youth development the Man Utd way
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode, TGG speaks with Manchester United academy manager Nick Cox. Cox talks about the club’s youth philosophy, how they measure success,...
Danny Cowley: Old school values & new methods
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Huddersfield Town manager Danny Cowley tells TGG about his coaching journey and the values he's brought to Yorkshire.
Tony Strudwick: The past, present and future of sports science
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tony Strudwick, the Wales and Sheffield Wednesday Head of Performance, talks about coping during the coronavirus crisis, the future of sports science...
Gerard Houllier: Taking Liverpool into the 21st Century
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode, TGG went to the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London to speak with Gerard Houllier. The former Liverpool manager spoke about chang...
Stewart Downing: Final chapter in a stellar career
07 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Eddie Jones: Lessons in coaching, leadership and life
09 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In an exclusive interview, England rugby coach Eddie Jones tells TGG about his philosophy on coaching, leadership and life. The Australian reflects on...
Big Data Conference
02 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is brought to you from TGG's Big Data Conference in Manchester. Three of the key speakers from the day talk to Josh Schneider-Weiler abou...
Paul Balsom: To the Premier League and Beyond with Leicester City
31 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we spoke to Paul Balsom, Head of Performance Innovation fo...
Victor Orta: Guiding the Leeds Revolution
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Les Ferdinand: From Boot Room to Boardroom
03 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, Josh Schneider-Weiler went to QPR’s training ground to spea...
Elite Analysts Forum
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Dave Reddin: England's Performance Pioneer
18 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Youth Development Conference
16 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we’re at the TGG Youth Development Conference in Manchester...
Behind the scenes at Burnley's Academy
07 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, Simon Austin and Josh Schneider-Weiler went behind the scenes...
Gary Rowett's Cohesive Coaching
02 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the new Training Ground Guru podcast, brought to you in association with Hudl. This monthly show is going to take you behind the scenes in...