Episode 6: Iker González de Garibay – The Inner Game of Coaching | Leadership, Mindset & Performance in Football

In this episode of From Fútbol to Football, I’m joined by a good friend of mine, Iker González de Garibay Yarritu — a coach, consultant and trainer specialising in mental performance, leadership and team development in high-performance environments.With over 20 years of experience in professional sport, including roles within Baskonia and Deportivo Alavés, Iker has transitioned into coaching and now leads his own project, Descubre tu Flow, where he works with athletes, teams and organisations to develop their mental and emotional performance.In this conversation, we go deep into the inner game of football — the side that most coaches don’t train enough.We talk about:• Why soft skills are actually the hardest skills • How to connect with players on a deeper level • The importance of self-awareness and leadership • How to build trust, cohesion and a strong team culture • Practical ways to manage emotions like frustration and pressure • And why developing the person behind the player is the real key to performance We also dive into a crucial topic for coaches working abroad:• How to build confidence when speaking English • Why energy and body language matter more than perfect grammar • And how to communicate effectively even when your language isn’t perfect This episode is a must-listen for any coach who wants to go beyond tactics and truly understand what drives performance at the highest level.