338: How Sports Science Has Changed Coaching with Simon Grayson

Science for Sport — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Few people are better placed to chart the evolution of sports science in professional football than Simon Grayson.

Across a career spanning five decades, Simon has experienced the game as both a player and manager, from an era of bacon sandwiches before training and beers on the team bus, through to the GPS data, individualised programmes and specialist performance departments that are now part of everyday professional football.

This week, Richard Graves sits down with Simon to discuss how that transformation has changed the way players train, recover and prepare for matches, and how his own approach to management has evolved alongside it.

Simon explains what he wants from sports science practitioners as a manager, why information has to be relevant rather than simply available, and why data should always be understood within the context of what actually happened on the pitch.

They also explore one of the challenges facing modern performance teams: finding the right balance between objective data and a coach's experience. Simon discusses why high-speed running is one of the metrics he pays particular attention to, how physical data can influence team selection during congested schedules, and why he has never wanted his training sessions to be dictated entirely by the numbers.

Drawing on his experiences in English football and coaching overseas, Simon also explains how climate, culture and the physical capabilities of players can force coaches to adapt their methods.

And despite everything that has changed, he believes one part of coaching remains as important as ever: getting the best out of people.

In this episode you will learn

How sports science in professional football has changed since Simon began playing in the 1980s
What a manager actually wants from sports science and performance staff
Why more data doesn't necessarily mean better information
Why Simon pays particular attention to high-speed running
How physical data can influence selection during congested fixture schedules
Why training load data needs to be interpreted within the context of the game
How managers balance sports science recommendations with coaching experience
What modern recovery looks like compared with previous generations
How Simon adapted his training methods when coaching in different climates and cultures
Why man-management and relationships remain fundamental regardless of advances in technology

About Simon Grayson

Simon Grayson has spent more than four decades in professional football as a player, coach and manager.

After beginning his career at Leeds United, he went on to play for clubs including Leicester City, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool. His playing career included promotion to the Premier League with Leicester and victory in the 1997 League Cup.

As a manager, Simon has led clubs including Blackpool, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Preston North End, Sunderland and Bradford City, with promotion-winning campaigns at several clubs. His career has also taken him overseas, giving him experience of working with players and performance teams in different footballing cultures and environments.

More recently, Simon has worked in international football and advisory roles, while also launching the Simon Grayson Football Academy in Leeds.

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252: How to Maximise Athlete Performance & Recovery

Science for Sport — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

This week we are unlocking the Secrets of Elite Performance with Dr Peter Tierney! From the high-pressure world of professional rugby and football to cutting-edge performance apparel, Dr Peter Tierney has seen it all. In this episode, we dive deep into what it takes to win at the highest level, exploring the critical lessons from his time with Leinster Rugby’s Heineken Cup-winning squad, the evolving science of athlete recovery, and the power of data in shaping the future of sports performance.
Discover:

The biggest mistakes teams make when trying to replicate success
Why recovery isn't a one-size-fits-all approach – and how to get it right
How wearable tech is changing the game (for better or worse!)
What elite coaches like Stuart Lancaster do differently

If you're serious about maximising performance, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply straight away. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports science enthusiast – you don't want to miss this one!

** About Dr Peter Tierney**
Dr Peter Tierney is a highly experienced sports scientist and performance coach with over a decade of experience working across multiple sports, including rugby, football, and athletics. He has held key roles with Leinster Rugby, contributing to their Heineken Cup success, and has worked in industry innovation, focusing on performance apparel. Dr Tierney specialises in athlete recovery, data-driven performance strategies, and applying cutting-edge sports science to optimise results. He actively shares insights on social media and contributes to advancing the field through research and applied practice.