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ISSPF Soccer Insights
Hosted by Josh McClaren, explores the latest ideas, innovations, and practices that drive the best in soccer around the world. We speak with some of the most experienced players, coaches, and practitioners in soccer to uncover what it is that goes into elite soccer performance. From everything to coaching, tactics, analysis, sports science, data and psychology, we leave no stone unturned in our search for how to get to the highest level.
In this episode, former MLS & USMNT forward Will Bruin breaks down the mentality and locker room culture behind his trophy-winning career with the Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo, and Austin FC. Will shares insights on surviving a decade in the league, accepting evolving roles, and transitioning into finance by applying elite sports habits—preparation, process, and emotional control—to the business world.
Read more →Trevor Sinclair on the mindset behind a career at the top of the game. From Blackpool to QPR, West Ham and Manchester City, he reflects on the drive that got him started, the coaches who genuinely cared, and rebuilding himself after injury. The message is simple: winners find a way.
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Sport psychologist Sarah Murray explores what psychology really looks like inside a football environment, drawing on 15 years of experience in the professional game. From embedding psychology across Brighton & Hove Albion to building trust, shared language and stronger interdisciplinary teams, Sarah explains why effective psychology goes far beyond theory and one-to-one support. This episode explores how psychology becomes most powerful when it is part of the everyday culture, relationships and behaviours surrounding players.
Read more"Nobody cares how much you know — they care whether you can help them perform." That sets the tone for our chat with Jack Sharkey (Burton, QPR, Aston Villa, Australia, Lyon). His message: football has never had more data, but it's noise unless you can translate it into language coaches and players use. The real work is trust, communication, and staying connected to the game.
Read moreIn this episode of the ISSPF Soccer Insights Podcast, Josh McClaren speaks with Steve McClaren about coaching, leadership, culture, and elite standards in football. Drawing on experiences from Manchester United, England, Middlesbrough, Derby County, FC Twente, Newcastle United, and Jamaica, Steve shares lessons from a career spent at the highest levels of the game. The conversation explores how winning cultures are built, why standards matter, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and what modern coaches need beyond tactical knowledge to succeed in elite environments.
Read moreIn this episode of the ISSPF Soccer Insights Podcast, Josh McClaren speaks with Darcy Norman, Director of Performance at Chicago Fire FC, about what it really takes to build high performance in elite football. Darcy reflects on his journey from alpine ski racing into football performance, with the conversation exploring lessons from some of the biggest environments in world football, including Bayern Munich, AS Roma, the German national team, and now Chicago Fire.
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