Who I Am & Why I Write
I work in football because I believe it's one of the most complex and human things we do. I coach, I observe, I read, and I write — because that's how I make sense of the game and try to contribute something lasting to it.
This platform is an independent body of work. It is not an aggregator, not a breaking news feed, and not a conventional coaching CV. It is where ideas are formulated, questioned, and tested against reality.
Coaching & Scouting Background
I have worked across youth and development contexts, with a particular interest in the U5–U18 age range. My coaching is built around player-centred principles — helping players think, decide, and grow rather than simply executing instructions. I am also actively engaged in scouting and player evaluation, trying to understand what potential actually looks like in practice.
My qualifications and coaching experience have taken me through grassroots, academy, and school environments. I believe the quality of a coach is measured by the quality of the environment they create, not just the results they produce.
Writing & Research Interests
I write about football because I want to think more carefully about it. The topics I return to most often are: how players actually develop (not how we assume they do), the psychology of the game, how tactics and play evolve, youth and grassroots structures, and the broader culture and politics of football.
I draw on sports science, motor learning research, psychology, and the work of coaches and thinkers I respect. I try to write pieces that are analytical, evidence-aware, and honest — including about uncertainty and things I've changed my mind about.
My Football Philosophy
I believe football should be learned through playing, not just being taught through drills. I believe young players are harmed more often by early specialisation and over-coaching than by neglect. I believe the game is best understood as a decision-making problem, and that physical development follows perceptual and cognitive development, not the other way around.
I'm skeptical of football culture that prioritises the coach's knowledge over the player's experience. I'm interested in environments that produce footballers who love the game and can read it — not just players who follow systems.
What This Platform Is
This website is a home for sustained thinking. The long-term goal is simply to contribute something meaningful to how football is thought about and discussed.
If any of this resonates with you, I'd genuinely love to hear from you. You can email me directly at rishavdey17@gmail.com, use the contact form, or connect on LinkedIn.
For the longer, more personal story of how I got into football, how my thinking evolved, and where I want to go:
Read My Journey