In this Masterclass Discussion, PDP Editor, Dave Wright is joined by Academy Manager of Birmingham City FC, Kristjaan Speakman for an in depth and wide ranging conversation.

Kristjaan has been at the club for well over a decade and has also coached at Derby County under the guidance of Terry Westley. Now one of England’s most highly regarded Academy Managers, Kristjaan sits down with Dave to discuss leadership, coaching and coach development, shares insights into the journey of Demarai Gray & recent first team debutant, Jude Bellingham plus much more.

This discussion contains a huge amount of practical advice for developing coaches from session design to individual planning, so don’t miss it.

Show Notes

0:00  – 2:50: Introduction, Kristjaan’s background and coaching experience.

2:50 – 5:30:  Transition into a management role.

5:30 – 9:00: Key changes from when first started coaching to now.

9:00 – 13:20: Key ingredients to the success at Birmingham City Football Club.

13:20 – 15:30: Players responses to opportunities given.

15:30 – 18:30: Jude Bellingham – story of his rise to the senior team.

18:30 – 25:20: How to deliver individual development plans.

25:20 – 28:30: Fundamentals of effective session design.

28:30 – 34:40: Coach development & Coaching events.

34:40 – 39:00: Consistent threads of successful players.

39:00 – 44:10: Kristjaan’s view on Talent ID.

44:10 – 48:10: Competition for players within the professional academies.

48:10 – 51:30: Advice for coaches just starting on their coaching journey.

51:30 – 53:52: Key characteristics of an effective coach.

Key Takeaways

9:00 – 13:20: Key ingredients to the success at Birmingham City Football Club.

18:30 – 25:20: How to deliver individual development plans.

25:20 – 28:30: Fundamentals of effective session design.

48:10 – 51:30: Advice for coaches just starting on their coaching journey.

Image Source: Unsplash

Popular searches: defending, finishing, 1v1, playing out from the back, working with parents