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!

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!

And we've been finger on the pulse too... with our predictions of many things which have come to pass over the last year; from referee attacks to media interviews live in game!

So join us on a trip down memory lane where we look at hoe Breaking Lines went from balcony idea to being listend too in over 50 countries globally and is a favourite pod amongst some of football's glitterati (well the odd referee and coach) as well as fans!

Join Dave and Gary 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!

"We would like to thank them for their endeavours and wish them well for the future"... Cut and paste to many a club website announcing the departure of the manager or head coach from their role - add in the now infamous corner flag photo and you've got yourself a Managerial Casualty.

Jurgen Klopp has managed his own imminent departure from Liverpool differently - he's chose the time, the place and the how of his future abdication of the Head Coach role. Only very few get afforded this; and normally because of the success, loyalty or connection that they have with a club. For everyone else, its a short message and the bus fare home dodging irate supporters who've been baying for blood for weeks, or even months!

This episode we explore some of the strategies that managers and clubs may use to ensure that the inevitable end is beneficial to all in so far as it's as fair as possible. It doesn't always work out for a manager, but ending a reign with mutual respect is probably best for all parties!

We answer more of your questions on this episode of Whistleblowers!

How do managers balance re-contracting players that are about to lapse versus letting others go - without upsetting the dressing room balance?

Experience counts in performance and medical roles - so whats the balance between craft knowledge and understanding the demands of the sport, and the head coach and players?

Which experiences from our different clubs have we taken forward to our new club?

It's never easy for a player to accept that they have possibly reached the end of their club career - not necessarily their whole career completely - but at a particular club or at a level of the game. Some are cognisant enough and know it's happening and begin to prepare; others stay in a state of denial. Their game awareness still works fantastically - but maybe the physical side of the game eventually retires you despite all the additional work, rest and individual attention received.

And it's also the same with iconic players. Scorers of important goals, fan favourites, etc - the fans also find it hard to let go too! Everyone wants to remember the player as they were, perhaps not as they are.

Yet managing these situations is never easy for the manager. You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't! So what to do...

This episode explores how there are a number of ways to potentially come to an amicable end where player, coach, club and fans get to give each other the send off they all would prefer - but that also means everyone accepts the path that's about to be taken. And that doesn't always happen and that's when difficulties can occur.

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

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!