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

“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 youth football from France to the United States. Fred shares a journey that spans Le Havre’s world-renowned academy, consulting across the U.S. youth landscape, and shaping the next generation of MLS coaches through the Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL). Graduates like Wilfried Nancy, Greg Vanney, Nico Estevez, and Luchi Gonzalez have gone onto esteemed success coaching first team football. Here Fred explains how the course is taught and the unique approach they take to social learning.

Listen to find out more including;

- Growing up in the Le Havre environment, sharing insights into what made Le Havre’s developmental culture so influential.

- What surprised him most about the structure, culture, and coaching approaches in the U.S?

- Do US based coaches spend sufficient time on field developing their craft?

- The link between teaching and coaching — and why coaching must evolve ?

- Why coaches focusing on developing their players individual game insight is key to US success over the next decade?

- Creating environments where coaches want to contribute, support each other and give back.

Timestamps;

00:00 - 11:10 - Le Havre

11:11 - 25:16 - EFCL

25:17 - 37:08 - Coaching Pathways

37:09 - 54:20 - Game Insight

54:21 - 57:57 - Advice

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

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.

Kasper shares his personal journey through the world of sport, what drew him to Right to Dream’s mission, and the values that underpin their success. We go deep inside the student-athlete experience, explore how collaboration drives performance outcomes, and reflect on some of the toughest leadership decisions that come with leading across continents.

Listen to find out more including;

- What is the optimum balance of challenge and support in working with student-athletes?

- How working cross continent has shaped Kasper's leadership journey?

- Insights on sustaining a shared mission and identity as Right to Dream build.

- "Infinite trust" and how Kasper empowers others to lead.

- Why "how we win" & "who we win with" matters most?

- How working with Gen-Z is reshaping Kasper's own work routine and weekly architecture?

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

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 remarkable 25-year journey dedicated to developing people through football — not just producing players, but nurturing character, education, and opportunity.

Now leading international strategy at Blue Crow, Gareth discusses how multi-club ownership, data-driven development, and education-centric talent systems are redefining the future of football.

Listen to find out more including;

- Inside the early days at Right to Dream.

- The partner mindset which gave RTD success in Africa?

- How they got the transition right developing players from Academy through to First Team Football?

- What multi club ownership means for global football pathways?

- Building alignment through a centralized football department at Blue Crow.

Timestamps;

00:00 - 05:32 - Ghana

05:33 - 15:34 - Right to Dream

15:35 - 20:17 - Partner Mindset

20:18 - 26:02 - International Academy

26:03 - 36:40 - Blue Crow

36:41 - 44:22 - Advice

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

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 look at the business side of the beautiful game.

He opens up about how he broke into the industry, the biggest misconceptions about agents, and the lessons he’s learned working with players at every stage of their careers. Whether you’re a young player, coach, or fan who wants to understand how deals really get done, this episode offers a rare inside perspective.

Listen to find out more including;

- How Juan got his start as a football agent and built his network in a competitive industry?

- The truth about what agents actually do — and what they don’t?

- How to guide players beyond the paycheck: choosing the right club, coach, and environment?

- The art of negotiation — striking balance between player goals and club expectations.

- The evolving role of data, analytics, and player branding in modern football.

- Juan’s advice for the next generation of agents and players entering the professional world.

Get in touch;

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

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

Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie

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 creating the optimal environment for teams to succeed. Here he brings us on a journey reflecting on his career, the lessons learned and allowing us remarkable access into his work. It's an episode you will listen to again and again. Enjoy. Listen to find out more including;

- Why “Belonging” is never an achieved state?

- What the art of good storytelling looks like?

- The ancient Maori belief Owen uses to maximise a team's performance?

- Inside his role within Gareth Southgate's England squad and reflecting upon how the national team culture has changed.

- Why being authentic and personal are the two key tools to navigating the future successfully?

- Owen's challenge to to each of you listening.

Get in touch;

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwalsh95?lang=en

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

Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie