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 thinking, and develop a more considered approach to coaching and analysis.

The conversation explores the growing prominence of the coach/analyst hybrid role, with Jonas sharing how he has seen this space evolve over time and what it now demands from practitioners. We also dive into the idea of the player as analyst, discussing how players can take learning from the pitch, build their football intelligence, and become more self-directed in their development.

Jonas looks back on his five years at Nottingham Forest, where he worked across a variety of roles and gathered lessons that continue to shape his perspective today. He shares insights from his early specialization in developing 1v1 players, including what he believes is most important in nurturing creativity and decision-making in those moments. Finally, he explains his transition from coaching into recruitment, what motivated that move, and how his coaching background still informs the way he evaluates talent.

Listen to find out more including;

- Jonas revealing the single most formative experience of his early coaching career.

- How writing about football fundamentally changed the way he sees the game?

- His inside view on how the coach/analyst role has transformed in modern football.

- Why he believes players should think more like analysts on and off the pitch?

- The real reasons behind his move from coaching into recruitment.

Get in touch;

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/

YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPod

Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

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 childhood spent across France, Spain and the Middle East has shaped Gabriel's worldview, leadership style and understanding of the game beyond the touchline. Forging his trade across several Spanish clubs gave Gabriel the tools to lead prior to embarking on a leadership role with FIFA working closely with developing countries.

One of which was Haiti where Gabriel has served several roles including First Team Coach, Assistant & Technical Advisor. On the back of last week's World Cup draw Gabriel joined the podcast to discuss his journey to date.

Listen to find out more including;

- Why Gabriel believes "football has the same language"?

- The impact working in FIFA's Technical Department had on his development?

- Inside Haiti's historic World Cup Qualifying campaign.

- How Haiti will prepare for Brazil, Scotland and Morocco?

- How technical leadership is evolving and what skills matter most?

Get in touch;

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/

YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPod

Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

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 transformational change amongst leaders with purpose, performance and wellbeing all equally important as another.

The following episode is a deep dive into the behaviours and habits one must embody to bring that change to life. In a world with attention at a premium Simone goes deep on how one can remove interferences and focus more on the key fundamentals which will ultimately sustain one's career in the sporting world.

Listen to find out more including;

- How her understanding of transformational leadership gained layers going from step to step?

- What we get wrong about self reflection?

- Over-indexing on craft knowledge at the behest of understanding one's self.

- What behavioural change looks like at the very top amongst the executives Simone works with?

- What authentic people & leadership development looks like in today's AI driven world?

Timestamps;

00:00 - 08:00 - Knowledge

08:01 - 15:36 - Start with Self

15:37 - 23:04 - Reflection

23:05 - 38:35 - Executive Coaching

38:36 - 40:29 - Advice

Get in touch;

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conorwalsh1995/

YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPod

Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie