Duncan Fearnhead, the Academy Manager of EFL Championship club Southampton FC tells me on Episode 20 of my Podcast.

About his journey from coach to academy manager, his experiences in various football academies, and his current role at Southampton.

Duncan shares insights on the importance of player development, the structure of football academies, and the challenges and rewards of working in youth football. The conversation also touches on the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) and the significance of having a clear pathway for young players to progress through the ranks.

Duncan also discusses the various components that make up a successful football program, emphasizing the importance of training variety, support services, and the focus on developing professional footballers. He explains how category status influences pla ...