PODCAST · sports
The Lowdown
by Conor Walsh
The Lowdown is a football podcast giving listeners unprecedented access to the minds shaping the modern game. Each week, we sit down with the people driving football forward — from club owners and technical directors to academy heads, coaches, and broadcasters — to uncover the lessons, challenges, and stories behind their journeys. Whether you’re a young coach, a player chasing the next step, or simply fascinated by what happens behind the scenes, The Lowdown offers honest insights to inspire the next generation of football professionals. Get in touch; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/ LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-walsh-847b08127/ YouTube; <a target="_blank"
Episodes
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#203 - Chasing Excellence w/ Mehdi Kordi
"Control the controllables to survive, influence the uncontrollables to thrive." Today I am delighted to be joined by Olympic gold winning coach Mehdi Kordi. Despite never riding competitively Mehdi went on to win an incredible six Olympic gold medals as coach. Here he shares with us his journey...
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#202 - 10 Lessons in Leadership w/ Adrian Bevington
Today I am delighted to be joined by esteemed football executive Adrian Bevington. In today's episode we cover Adrian's 10 lessons in leadership from building sporting departments throughout his career. Drawing on his experience working at the FA, FAW, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough we delve into…
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#201 - Red Bull Bragantino w/ Victor Passeri
Today I am delighted to be joined by Red Bull Bragantino Academy Director; Victor Passeri. I have been fortunate to get to know Victor as part of this years MBA cohort with the ASD. This episode provides brilliant insight into technical leadership within a Brazilian context. From an early...
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#200 - World Cup Special w/ David Garcia & Bernat Mosquera
Today we celebrate the 200th episode of The Lowdown with a special World Cup episode with David Garcia & Bernat Mosquera. With 106 games down and fresh from watching Brazil v Japan we review the action thus far, Listen to find out more including; - Has the move to a 48 team competition made for a...
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#199 - Eyeball w/ Oliver Dehnhardt
In this episode, we sit down with Oliver Denhardt to explore his journey from the early days of performance analysis and scouting to helping shape the future of football intelligence. Having worked within leading environments including AFC Ajax and FC Copenhagen, Oliver shares the lessons he...
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#198 - 2026 World Cup Preview w/ Liam Tharme
The countdown is almost over as the biggest FIFA World Cup in history arrives across the United States, Canada and Mexico. With 48 teams, three host nations and an expanded format, the 2026 tournament promises to be unlike anything football has seen before. Liam Tharme and I discuss whether the...
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#197 - ProTrainUp w/ Tomasz Cybulski
In this episode, we sit down with Tomasz Cybulski, co-founder of ProTrainUp, to explore the evolution of sports technology, performance analysis, and building a startup within elite sport. Tomasz reflects on the early stages of ProTrainUp, where the company began, and how the original vision has...
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#196 - Person before Player w/ Carsten Dohm
In this episode, Carsten Dohm shares lessons from over 30 years in coaching, from his earliest football memories to building a philosophy centered on developing the person before the player. He explores what it takes to produce “A+ players,” while emphasizing the importance of long-term…
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#195 - Under the Microscope w/ Paul McGuinness
"Is football becoming less of a spectacle?" On his return to the show Paul McGuinness explores whether modern football is losing its creative edge, drawing on his experience developing elite players at Manchester United and working across the Premier League. The conversation examines the effects...
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#194 - The Magic of Coaching w/ Russell Earnshaw
In this episode, we sit down with coach developer Russell Earnshaw, whose work spans elite environments including Liverpool FC, England Rugby, the Premier League, and New Zealand Sevens. This conversation explores what it really means to optimize for impact in coaching—moving beyond busy work to...
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#193 - North American Irish Coaches w/ John O'Rourke
John O’Rourke, President of the North American Irish Coaches Association, joins the show to discuss the growing influence of Irish coaches across the United States and Canada. The association’s mission is to serve, connect, and elevate Irish coaches throughout North America. Having arrived in the...
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#192 - Trust & Rapport w/ Teamworks; Gareth Quinn
"Today is the slowest day of technological change we have experienced in our lives." In this episode, Gareth Quinn shares his journey from working in nightlife and politics into the business world, and how those experiences helped shape the foundations of Kairos. He reflects on the early growth…
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#191 - Designing Better Learning Environments w/ Sean-Paul Murray
In this episode, we sit down with Sean Paul Murray from the Irish Football Association (IFA) for a deep dive into the evolution of coach education, leadership, and the power of intentional learning design. Sean shares his journey from his earliest memories in football to shaping coach development...
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#190 - Ruthlessly Caring w/ Cristina Fink
In this episode, we sit down with Cristina Fink, former Olympic athlete and performance psychologist, to explore what it really takes to perform at a high level — not just in sport, but in life. Drawing from her experience competing on the world’s biggest stage in Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992…
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#189 - A Coaching Journey w/ Martin Foyston
In this episode, we sit down with Martin Foyston whose journey into football leadership didn’t start on the pitch—but in film studies. From early days using analysis as a competitive edge, to learning under elite mentors like Roy Hodgson, to taking bold career risks that led to over a decade as a...
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#188 - Master the Paradox w/ Hamburg's Head of Performance; Basil More-Chevalier
What's it like to be the youngest Director of Performance in the Top 5 leagues in Europe? Furthermore what is it also like when your role also entails being the Assistant Coach readying your players for weekly Bundesliga games? Today we are joined by Hamburg's Director of Performance & Assistant...
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#187 - Making the Complex Simple w/ AFC Bournemouth's; Jonas Munkvold
In this episode, we sit down with Jonas Munkvold; First Team Recruitment Analyst with Bournemouth & Analyst with the IFA whose coaching journey offers a window into how football minds are shaped. He explains how writing and deep reflection on the game helped him clarify his ideas, sharpen his...
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#186 - Step by Step w/ Gabriel Calderon
Next summer Haiti and Gabriel Calderon will compete in the 2026 World Cup. It is the latest chapter in the Calderon's family relationship with the trophy. As a four year old inspired by watching his father in the 1990 World Cup Final Gabriel had his mind set on etching his own mark on the game. A...
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#185 - Start with Self w/ Simone Lewis
It was not long into Simone Lewis' sporting career where she first realised that developing people skills were as if not more important than developing one's craft knowledge. Through her work at the Premier League, Right to Dream and elsewhere she has cultivated a reputation for developing...
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#184 - MLS Coach Education w/ Fred Lipka
“We don’t just want consumers; we want people who think deeply about who they are and what kind of coach they want to be.” Today we are joined by the Technical Director of Player Development for MLS; Fred Lipka. In this episode, we dive deep into coach development, pedagogy, and the evolution of...
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#183 - Unlocking Potential w/ Kasper Thornton
In this episode, we sit down with Kasper Thornton, the Group Director of Human Performance at Right to Dream. From the academies of Ghana to world-class facilities in Europe and the U.S., Right to Dream is more than a football program — it’s a philosophy about opportunity, character, and purpose....
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#182 - Building Pathways w/ Gareth Henderby
In this episode, we sit down with Gareth Henderby, Director of International Football at Blue Crow Sports Group, and formerly a cornerstone figure at Right to Dream and FC Nordsjælland. From being Employee #1 at Right to Dream in Ghana to shaping academies across continents, Gareth shares a...
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#181 - Values First w/ Juan Cale
In this episode, we sit down with Juan Cale, one of football’s most respected agents, to explore what really goes on behind the scenes in the world of player representation. From negotiating contracts and managing careers to balancing player ambitions with club realities, Juan shares a candid…
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#180 - Belonging w/ Owen Eastwood
Episode 180 is a repeat of one of our most downloaded episodes to date, a conversation with Owen Eastwood. Renowned for his work with NATO, Gareth Southgate's England, South African Cricket and most recently Europe's Ryder Cup winning team. He has carved out a reputation in elite sport for…
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#179 - Two versus One w/ Andreas Schumacher
It’s not every day that your book earns acclaim from Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, and Jürgen Klinsmann — but that’s exactly what Andreas Schumacher can attest to with his new book Two Versus One, co-authored with Bernhard Peters. Having worked in the youth setups of clubs such as Stuttgart and...
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#178 - Inspiring Change w/ Wales Manager; Rhian Wilkinson
From playing over 180 times for Canada during a golden era of women’s football to becoming a NWSL championship-winning coach, Rhian Wilkinson has had quite the journey from the backline to the touchline. In this episode, she reflects on her journey from player to coach, how her experiences on the...
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#177 - Technical Leadership w/ Seattle Sounders'; Craig Dalrymple
Craig Dalrymple has built a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and an obsession with player development. From early adversity that fueled his drive, to over a decade at Vancouver where he oversaw the progression of more than 80 academy players into the first team — including global stars...
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#176 - Group Dynamics in Football w/ Manon Eluere
Renowned for her pioneering work as a group dynamics analyst, Manon Eluere has spent years exploring how teams function beneath the surface. With a PhD focused on the strengths and challenges of multicultural squads, her research has provided coaches and managers with practical insights into...
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#175 - Behind the Whistle w/ Jonathan Moss
What does it really take to handle the world’s biggest players, the fastest games, and the fiercest scrutiny in football? Jonathan Moss knows better than most. From starting out on grassroots pitches to taking charge of Premier League clashes watched by millions, Moss has lived the highs, the...
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#174 - Put the Child First w/ Peter Sturgess
Peter Sturgess has been at the heart of reshaping English football’s approach to youth development. From designing the FA Youth Modules and creating the Play Phase for 4–6 year olds, to working alongside Dan Ashworth in building the England DNA, his influence has touched every corner of the game....
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#173 - From Pitch to Boardroom w/ Scott Miller
In this episode, I sat down with Scott Miller — a coach whose story runs from buying a one-way ticket to the UK, working building sites, and cold calls, to standing on the touchline in a Europa League final with Fulham and later becoming the youngest head coach in A-League history. Scott shares...
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#172 - Building Game Insight w/ Bernat Mosquera
Today’s guest, Bernat Mosquera is known for his innovative lens on individual development, player centred learning and final-third mastery, Bernat has worked across continents and cultures, shaping a coaching philosophy that encourages understanding over recognition. He is the mind behind Modern...
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#171 - Association of Sporting Directors w/ Dan Parnell
The Sporting Director is one of the most influential and misunderstood roles in modern football. Today’s guest, Dan Parnell, is at the forefront of changing that perception. As the CEO of the Association of Sporting Directors (ASD), Dan has been instrumental in shaping the way leaders in football...
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#170 - Connection in Coaching w/ Tom Hartley
" A good coach changes the game, a great coach changes a life"; - John Wooden. A mantra from the one and only John Wooden but one in which today's guest Tom Hartley lives and breathes by. Tom is a leading voice in coach development, system design, and player pathways. Tom brings a...
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#169 - Perspectives & Pathways w/ Columbus Crew's; Dan Lock
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Dan Lock — Head of Coaching & Individual Development for Columbus Crew. Driven by an insatiable appetite to learn and grow, Dan shares insights into the diverse environments that have shaped his journey so far. Always seeking opportunities to stretch...
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#168 - Modern Soccer Coach w/ Gary Curneen
On today’s episode, we’re joined by Gary Curneen — host of the Modern Soccer Coach podcast. Gary's platform has been widely acknowledged as one of the best learning hubs for coaches worldwide. In this wide ranging conversation we tackle topics from youth development to the recent Club World Cup…
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#167 - Preparing to Perform w/ Dawn Scott
On today’s episode, we’re joined by women’s football pioneer Dawn Scott — renowned for her transformative work with both the England and U.S. Women’s National Teams. With a career highlighted by back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019, Dawn’s legacy is defined by relentless...
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#166 - A Coaching Reflection w/ US Soccer's; Didier Chambaron
"Tomorrow you have an opportunity to be better than today." Didier Chamberon is the Director of Coaching Education at US Soccer. Today Didier discussed alongside myself the current state of Coach Education and the challenges it faces in modern society. Firstly harnessing ones passion, we then...
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#165 - Football Coach Evolution w/ Raymond Verheijen
Today I am re-releasing one of my most popular recordings to date with Raymond Verheijen the owner of Football Coach Evolution. “The aim of Football Coach Evolution is not to change the world but to develop coaches based on more objective & reliable information”. Having served as an assistant in...
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#164 - Don't Skip Steps w/ Adam Mooi
Adam Mooi is the Technical Director of Newfoundland & Labrador Soccer. As a young leader Adam has been responsible for designing and implementing game models, coaching education, building out games programmes, elevating current programmes, formalising player development processes amongst so much...
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#163 - The Long Game w/ Trivela Group's; Matt Jordan
"To be quick but don't hurry" Famous words spoken by legendary basketball coach John Wooden yet a quote which today's guest Matt Jordan lives by. Having connected with Matt at January's ASD summit in Chicago I was compelled to invite him on the podcast. Making the transition from playing to front...
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#162 - The Essential Skills w/ David Clancy
David Clancy is the CEO & Co-Founder of Nxt Level Group. Creating a vision, discovering one's purpose, intentional reflection, planning for the future - all important right? Yet how often do we create the space and time to unpack and discover? At Nxt Level where their clients are the teams behind...
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#161 - Passion meets Performance w/ Club Tigres; Paul Balsom
In this episode, I am joined by Paul Balsom, Head of Fitness Advisory for UEFA and Tigres UANL, who shares his incredible journey in the world of football fitness. From his humble beginnings growing up in Torquay to advising top football organizations, Paul reflects on the values, mindset, and...
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#160 - More Than A Feeling w/ Philadelphia Union's; Peter McDonnell
Peter McDonnell is the U17 head coach of Philadelphia Union. A true student of the game and committed developer, Peter has strived to ensure he has passed on the many fruits of a path shaped by football. Coaching in Ireland, at Seacoast United and Minnesota all preceded a move to Philadelphia…
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#159 - Coaching at the Euros w/ Georgia First Team Coach; David Webb
David Webb is the First Team Coach of the Georgia National Team. Since debuting on the podcast over 2 years ago David was contacted by Willy Sagnol to join the staff ahead of their Euro playoffs earlier this year. What ensued was possibly the story of this years European Championships. Ranked…
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#158 - A Coaching Life w/ Michael Beale
“In your building, if the level of conversation is good the level of conversation goes out on to the pitch.” Michael Beale is well known to many for his work as first team coach. However it is his track record in youth development which initially caught the eye. 15 years of an apprenticeship at...
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#157 - Building Precision w/ Sonny Cobbs
Sonny Cobbs is the Founder & CEO of Precision Football. It sits as the flagship Football Tech Centre of the Middle East at less than a few years old. With 25 staff and 3,000 people coming through the doors each week it is a paradise for anyone in love with the sport. Even more remarkable than the...
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#156 - In Love With The Game w/ Scott McLachlan
Scott McLachlan is the Global Head of Football for Global Football Holdings. After listening to Scott it is hard not to be infused with wonder and awe for the beautiful game. An expert storyteller Scott's anecdotes about the 1978 World Cup in Argentina and 2021 Champions League Final are just two...
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#155 - The Constraints Led Approach w/ Houston Dynamo's Ben Bartlett
Get in touch; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/ YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPod Email: [email protected]
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#154 - A Club For The People w/ Louisville City's James O'Connor
Todays guest James O'Connor is a man who has seen it all in football. The Louisville City President amassed over 500 appearances in first team football before beginning his coaching career in America. Seeking the pull of making an impact at a higher level James jumped at the chance to become Club...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Lowdown is a football podcast giving listeners unprecedented access to the minds shaping the modern game. Each week, we sit down with the people driving football forward — from club owners and technical directors to academy heads, coaches, and broadcasters — to uncover the lessons, challenges, and stories behind their journeys.
Whether you’re a young coach, a player chasing the next step, or simply fascinated by what happens behind the scenes, The Lowdown offers honest insights to inspire the next generation of football professionals.
Get in touch;
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/
LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-walsh-847b08127/
YouTube; <a target="_blank"
HOSTED BY
Conor Walsh
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Lowdown have?
The Lowdown currently has 204 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Lowdown about?
The Lowdown is a football podcast giving listeners unprecedented access to the minds shaping the modern game. Each week, we sit down with the people driving football forward — from club owners and technical directors to academy heads, coaches, and broadcasters — to uncover the lessons, challenges,...
How often does The Lowdown release new episodes?
The Lowdown publishes regularly with 204 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Lowdown?
You can listen to The Lowdown on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Lowdown?
The Lowdown is created and hosted by Conor Walsh.
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