Why Jesse Marsch is perfect for the Canadian Men’s National Team

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Team Analysis

The American coach made his name across an incredibly successful spell at RB Salzburg between 2019-2021, but hasn't been able to hold down the fort since. His brief stints at RB Leipzig and Leeds United showed signs of promise, but also many moments of doubt. So with Marsch being out of a top-tier job for over a year, it comes as a surprise that he would suddenly take over the Canadian Men's National Team. However, Marsch's management style and tactical preferences perfectly fit the current need within the Canadian set-up.

Pep Guardiola – Manchester City – Tactical Analysis (2023-24)

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Team Analysis

This might finally be the year. It might finally be the year that Pep Guardiola and Manchester City don't win the Premier League. Despite that, they've still been the most tactically complex team in the league, carrying on from much of the tactics that brought them a treble-winning triumph last season. Here is what Pep Guardiola has imposed in 2023-24, continuing to make City one of the most dominant forces in the world.

Game of Numbers #38 – Alejandro Garnacho’s intensity & awareness

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League

It's amazing to think that Alejandro Garnacho is only 19 years of age. Sometimes, you can see the rawness in his game. The facets that still need to be carefully developed. But as he ages, let's hope he never loses his tenacity. His hunger for more. His appetite to win at all costs, even when no one else is pulling their weight. He might not have the soaring high stats to back this up, but I truly believe Alejandro Garnacho is one of the players of this season in the Premier League. That's promising for United, who so desperately need something to cling onto for the future. Here is Game of Numbers #38, including what makes Alejandro Garnacho one of the best young players in the Prem.

The EFL Championship’s most invigorating title race in years

by TMS Staff, posted in Most Recent

For the longest time, Leicester City looked favourites for the EFL Championship title. Few competitions in the world of football can match the Championship for drama, but this 2023-24 campaign has now taken on a new level of excitement ahead of Easter Monday's round of fixtures. Four teams remain in the hunt for the title as the season comes to a close, with only two spots available for automatic promotion. The question of who will claim those spots looms large as we now enter the finale to the campaign.

The possible replacements for Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United

by TMS Staff, posted in Managers, Premier League

Come the end of the season, it may be time for United to make another change at the helm. Gareth Southgate, anyone? That could be interesting. But the England manager has maintained a clear focus on bringing England home some silverware. With that, here are some alternative picks for the job if Ten Hag is ultimately let go come the end of the season.

How I created a football tactics empire

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses

In 2016, I started TheMastermindSite.com as a passion project, writing about whatever interested me at the time. Five hundred articles and five years of coaching experience later, I had created one of the biggest platforms in the tactics/analysis space, certainly by a sole proprietor. Now going on 1,200 articles, I deep-dive into how I created one of the most popular platforms in the football tactics, analysis and coaching space.

Coaching Newsletter #7 – The case for conserving energy – a lesson from Lionel Messi

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Subscriber Exclusives

Next time you get the urge to act without thinking, and you have time to think things through, stay patient. Take in as much information as you can. Walk. Observe. Then make every moment count once you have all the information. Save your energy for what is truly important. You'll enjoy a longer-lasting career that way, and live a more meaningful life.