Once, football was more than just a game. It was the lifeblood of communities, a common thread that brought people together, from bustling cities to quiet villages. It was a symbol of unity and resilience, where underdog stories inspired hope, and local clubs were the beating hearts of neighborhoods.

But over the years, the soul of the game has been slowly eroded. The promises made when the Premier League was founded—to level the playing field, to strengthen grassroots football, and to invest in the future—have faded. What remains is a system that prioritizes profit over people, leaving young players disillusioned, small clubs struggling, and fans yearning for the game they once knew.

The System That Steals Dreams

Picture this: a boy named Jamie, aged nine, is playing for his local club. He’s a bright talent, running circles around defenders on a muddy pitch. Scouts from a Premier League academy spot him and dangle an irresistible carrot before his family. “Your son has what it takes,” they say. “With us, he’ll have the best coaches, the best facilities, and a shot at his dream.”

Jamie joins the academy. The local club loses its star player, but the community beams with pride. “He’s one of us,” they say. But Jamie’s dream doesn’t unfold as planned. By the time he’s 14, he’s deemed surplus to requirements. Maybe he’s not fast enough or doesn’t fit the mold of what the club is looking for. Released without ceremony, he returns home, where the local club has moved on without him. The dream he once chased now feels like a cruel joke.

Jamie’s story isn’t unique. Every year, thousands of kids are released from academies, their dreams shattered. For many, football was more than a game—it was their identity. When that’s stripped away, the emotional toll can be devastating. Studies reveal that 90% of released players experience mental health issues like anxiety and depression​

The Independent

Tragically, some, like Jeremy Wisten and Joel Darlington, have paid the ultimate price, highlighting the urgent need for reform​

Sky Sports

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The Ripple Effect on Grassroots Football

The impact doesn’t stop with Jamie. His departure destabilizes his local club. Without their star player, they struggle to compete. Other kids lose interest, and some leave to join rival teams. The club, once vibrant, now teeters on the brink of collapse. Multiply this story across the country, and you see a picture of grassroots football in crisis.

Grassroots football isn’t just a pipeline for talent—it’s the foundation of communities. It’s where kids learn teamwork, where parents cheer from the sidelines, and where lifelong friendships are forged. But this foundation is crumbling. Premier League clubs siphon away young talent, draining the lifeblood of local teams. Meanwhile, promises of financial support for grassroots initiatives remain largely unfulfilled. The Premier League, awash with billions in revenue, contributes only a fraction of its wealth to the lower leagues and grassroots projects​

The Monopolization of Talent

The hoarding of young players by elite clubs further skews the balance. Chelsea’s model—recruiting young players en masse, loaning them out, and selling them for profit—is now replicated across the league. It’s an efficient business strategy but a devastating blow to the game’s integrity.

Consider players like Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah. Both were deemed not good enough for Chelsea at one point and were loaned out. Today, they are among the world’s best, but their development came despite the system, not because of it. What if they had stayed at smaller clubs, lighting up the lower leagues and inspiring the next generation? Instead, their talent was stockpiled, their potential undervalued​

The Impact of Over-Regulation

In an attempt to consolidate power, the Premier League imposes stringent regulations on clubs, often under the guise of “raising standards.” For example, Brentford FC successfully operated without a traditional academy, scouting talent overlooked by other systems. Their model saved costs and created opportunities for players who might have otherwise been ignored. But in 2022, the Premier League mandated that all clubs must operate academies, effectively dismantling alternative approaches​

The introduction of Premier League 2 and competitions like the National League Cup further highlights the imbalance. These initiatives benefit the big clubs, giving their reserve players valuable match experience while undermining the competitive integrity of lower leagues​. This was a dark and shady deal that involved the removal of FA Cup replays without the consent of the National League. 

The Way Forward

Reclaiming football requires bold action and systemic change. Here’s how we can fix the broken system:

1. Restrict Academies for Younger Players

Premier League academies should focus on players aged 16 and above, allowing younger players to stay with their local clubs. This would strengthen grassroots football, keep communities engaged, and reduce the emotional toll on children who are released.

2. Redistribute Wealth

The Premier League generates billions annually. A significant portion of this revenue must be redirected to grassroots football. This isn’t charity—it’s an investment in the future of the game.

3. Limit Player Hoarding

Introduce strict caps on the number of players clubs can sign and loan out. This would force clubs to make more thoughtful decisions about talent acquisition and create opportunities for smaller teams.

4. Celebrate Alternatives

Encourage innovative approaches like Brentford’s scouting model. By breaking away from traditional academies, clubs can create new pathways for talent development that benefit the entire football ecosystem.

5. Celebrate Alternatives

Scrap the EFL/Prem2 Cup and give us back our replays.

Reclaiming Our Game

Football isn’t just a business. It’s a shared passion, a cultural cornerstone, and a vehicle for community building. But the game we love has been hijacked by corporate interests, turning it into a machine that benefits the few at the expense of the many.

Imagine a world where young players like Jamie can thrive at their local clubs, where grassroots teams are vibrant and competitive, and where fans feel connected to their communities. This isn’t a pipe dream—it’s the game as it was always meant to be.

The time for change is now. We must demand better from the Premier League, the FA, and every stakeholder in football. This isn’t just about fixing a broken system—it’s about reclaiming the heart and soul of the game.

Join the movement. Speak out. Together, we can give football back to the people.

If YouTube take it down, BBC has it here. 

The article sparked widespread interest, prompting me to meet the man who has revolutionized the way we think about coaching.

“His drills start off simply but become progressively more complex, challenging players’ focus and keeping their concentration sharp.”

This process of gradual complication is something I’ve always considered central to effective coaching design. When I first began coaching, we used to refer to it simply as “ABC”—the idea that you can’t move on to “C” without mastering “A” and “B.” Once you’ve worked through “A” to “Z,” you can start forming “words” and “sentences,” or in this case, more advanced drills, strategies or small sided games.

The concept is straightforward and logical: as soon as a drill becomes easy, Michel ensures it’s made more challenging, so players need to think and adapt. He achieves this by incorporating the use of both feet, encouraging players to turn in different directions, and even introducing varied football sizes to enhance sensory perception.  It’s like a workout for your brain, disguised as a football drill.

“Sometimes players train barefoot to heighten their sensory awareness. Other times, they engage in simple math games while doing physical conditioning work.”

Bruyninckx also emphasizes teamwork over individualism, and discourages aggression—players don’t wear shin pads, and tackling is considered a last resort for regaining possession.

Recently, he was appointed Academy Director at Standard Liège, opting for this role over interest from Real Madrid to stay closer to his family.

To better understand Michel Bruyninckx’s innovative methods, I encourage you to watch this presentation by him:

A Meeting of Minds

Back in the summer of 2011, I had the privilege of visiting the Standard Liege Academy, where I engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with Michel about his philosophies, techniques, and concepts. One of the key aspects we explored was the comprehensive evaluation process that each player undergoes to assess their athletic performance.

Bruyninckx referenced a book detailing over 200 different evaluations, ranging from standing jumps to lung capacity measurements. While it’s impractical for every young athlete in the Total Soccer Schools system to undergo all these evaluations, implementing a core selection could provide significant benefits.

For instance, Michel shared a remarkable case of a predominantly right-footed player whose posture revealed a muscular imbalance. Through targeted training, this player became proficient with both feet, making it nearly impossible for observers to determine his dominant side. The implications are profound: a well-rounded skill set not only enhances adaptability on the pitch but also reduces the risk of injury by addressing physical compensations.

The Academy Experience

The facilities at the Standard Liege Academy were truly remarkable, providing on-campus schooling and accommodation for all players. It was heartwarming to see the respect the young athletes showed Michel, greeting him warmly as they passed. This reflects the positive culture fostered within the Academy, where players from prestigious clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan had come to develop their skills under Bruyninckx’s guidance.

Since then, Michel’s experience has extended beyond Liege; he was instrumental in establishing the Aspire Academy in Doha, where he reshaped training programs to emphasize cognitive development alongside technical skills.

The CogiTraining Method

At the heart of Bruyninckx’s approach is his CogiTraining methodology, which integrates cognitive tasks into football drills. This method is rooted in the understanding that football is fundamentally a game of the brain. By incorporating mental and sensory challenges, players enhance their attention, memory, and reaction times—skills critical for success on the field.

Bruyninckx’s training fosters neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, thereby improving both mental and physical agility. His sessions often challenge players to multitask or solve problems while executing football drills, sharpening their decision-making skills under pressure.

Focus on Youth Development

Michel Bruyninckx’s influence is particularly noteworthy in youth development. He advocates for a training philosophy that prioritizes long-term cognitive growth over immediate results. This forward-thinking approach prepares young athletes for the demands of higher levels of play, ensuring they develop not just as players, but as intelligent decision-makers on the field.

Education and Holistic Development

Beyond football, Bruyninckx emphasizes the importance of education. He believes that cultivating cognitive skills both on and off the pitch is essential for holistic player development. This philosophy aligns with modern coaching trends that recognize the value of nurturing well-rounded athletes.

A Lasting Impact

Michel Bruyninckx’s methods are gaining recognition globally, influencing academies and clubs that seek to develop smarter, more aware players. His focus on brain training in sports performance is reshaping how coaches approach player development (hence this website), making him a significant figure in contemporary football coaching.

Reflecting on my visit to the Standard Liège Academy and my conversations with Michel, I left with my theories reinforced, while also feeling inspired and enlightened. His insights transformed my understanding of coaching, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from one of football’s leading innovators.

As football continues to evolve, the integration of cognitive training and neuroscience will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of players. Keep an eye on Bruyninckx’s work; he is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of football development.