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Episode 123
Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 123 – Being a Confidant to Elite Football Managers, a conversation with Ray Power

In this episode, Ray and I explore a fascinating and often unseen aspect of his coaching business, his 1-2-1 work with elite, top-flight football managers.

Ray shares what it means to act as a trusted confidant at the very highest level of the game, and why even the most experienced managers need someone they can speak to openly and honestly. We dive into the types of conversations they have, from handling pressure and decision-making, to managing relationships, maintaining clarity, and navigating the complexities of modern football.

We also discuss why top-flight managers reach out in the first place, what they’re really looking for in that support, and how Ray creates a space that is both challenging and psychologically safe. This episode offers a unique insight into the human side of elite coaching and leadership.

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

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The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - thesoccercoachingpodcast@gmail.com

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.
Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

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🎙️ Episode 122: Coach’s Voice (Episode 1)

Episode 122 marks the launch of our brand-new Coach’s Voice series — where the conversation starts with you.

In this first edition, Scott and Ray respond to four thought-provoking questions sent in by coaches who listen to the podcast. These are real challenges from real environments, and the discussion is honest, practical, and grounded in lived coaching experience.

This episode is less about theory — and more about the realities of coaching in today’s game.

🗣️ The four questions discussed:

⚽ 1. The Match Day Environment
How do we create a match day atmosphere that supports development rather than fear?
Scott and Ray explore the role of the coach on game day, emotional tone, parent behaviour, and how match day can either reinforce or undo the work done during the week.

💭 2. Building (and Protecting) Player Confidence
What does confidence really mean in young players — and how easily can we damage it?
The conversation explores the difference between praise and belief, the impact of language, and why confidence is often built through challenge, not comfort.

🎯 3. Over-Coaching
Are we saying too much?
Scott and Ray reflect on the temptation to control every moment, the dangers of constant instruction, and why silence can sometimes be the most powerful intervention a coach can make.

🧩 4. Tactics & Structure vs Freedom & Creativity
How much structure is too much?
Where is the balance between giving players a framework and allowing them to solve problems?
The discussion dives into whether rigid tactical systems can unintentionally limit game intelligence — and how coaches can design structure that still allows expression.

Throughout the episode, Scott and Ray share practical examples from their own environments, challenge common coaching habits, and encourage deeper reflection on how our behaviours shape player experience.

This is an episode designed to make you think about how you show up — on the grass, on the sideline, and in your communication.

🎧 Coach’s Voice – Get Involved

Coach’s Voice episodes are driven by you.

We invite coaches to:

• Send in a voice note (up to 2 minutes) sharing a question, dilemma, idea, or opinion
• Be reflective, honest, even challenging
• Help shape future episodes of the podcast

Selected submissions will be played on the show and used as the starting point for discussion.

A couple of simple guidelines:

• Please don’t use player names
• If discussing sensitive topics, avoid naming clubs
• If you’d rather not record audio, you can email your question instead

📩 Send voice notes or emails to:
thesoccercoachingpodcast@gmail.com

Thanks for listening — and if one of these questions resonated with you, share the episode with a fellow coach.

Your voice matters.

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send a text

🎙️ Episode 121: Coaching Gen Z and Gen Alpha Players – A Focus on Mindset

Episode 121 marks the first episode co-hosted by Scott Mowberry and Ray Power, launching a new collaborative chapter for The Soccer Coaching Podcast.

For this episode, Scott and Ray are joined by Phil Phillipou to explore the challenges and opportunities of coaching Gen Z and Gen Alpha players, with a particular focus on mindset.

As the game continues to evolve, so do the players we coach. This conversation dives into how today’s young players think, learn, communicate, and respond to pressure — and what that means for coaches working in modern football environments.

🧠 Key themes discussed include:

• Understanding the mindset traits of Gen Z and Gen Alpha players
• How social media, culture, and modern life influence young footballers
• Why traditional coaching approaches don’t always land with today’s players
• Creating environments that support confidence, resilience, and self-belief
• Practical strategies coaches can use to connect, challenge, and support players
• The balance between standards, empathy, and accountability

Phil brings a psychology-informed perspective grounded in real-world coaching and athlete development, offering practical insight that coaches can apply immediately — whether they’re working in grassroots football, academies, or performance environments.

📘 About the guest

Phil is the author of Inspiring Young Minds: The Psychology Mastery for Young Footballers, a book designed to help young players develop strong psychological foundations alongside their football ability.

🔗 Book link:
https://www.amazon.com/Inspiring-Young-Minds-Mastery-Footballers/dp/B0FN79FKV9

📲 Connect with Phil:

• Instagram: @mindsightsport
• LinkedIn: Phil Phillipou

Phils Webinar & Discount Code- https://www.tickettailor.com/events/raypowercoacheducation/2029162

The discount is PHIL10

🎧 Coach’s Voice – get involved

As part of this new phase of the podcast, we’re introducing Coach’s Voice episodes — and we want to hear from you.

Coaches are invited to:

• Send in a voice note (up to 2 minutes) sharing a question, idea, experience, or viewpoint
• Be as individual, reflective, or even controversial as you like

Selected submissions will be played on the podcast and used as the starting point for discussion with Scott and Ray.

A couple of simple guidelines:

• Please don’t use player names
• If your topic is controversial, avoid naming clubs
• If you prefer not to record audio, you can email your thoughts instead

📩 Send voice notes or emails to:
thesoccercoachingpodcast@gmail.com

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!