Top three tips from David Beckham and Ryan Giggs’ former sleep coach
The '90s marked a revolution in the science of football and performance, at the heart of it was Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United as they explored how sleep improves the mentality and performance. Fast forward to today and every club leaves no mattress unturned....
Unmarked and isolated: the battle between footballers and loneliness
It’s safe to say that almost every professional footballer is idolised by at least somebody. However, fans and followers are not a player’s true friend, and the mate in teammate can sometimes be misleading. Acclimatising to the world of football with eyes watching from all over is rarely easy, yet players have no choice but to do so from a young age.
Euro 2024 best leaders XI
Euro 2024 is right around the corner, so we decided to scour the 24 sides competing, and build a team of the best leaders. GK - Manuel Neuer - Germany - The veteran shot stopper is not only one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, but an excellent leader....
Is it ever okay for fans to want a different team to win?
Recently we've seen fans cheering for the opposition to win because it means that their rivals...
Who will be starting for England in Euro 2024?
There's some obvious choices for Gareth Southgate for the England starting eleven, but other...
Video: The modern mind behind the world’s first football club
When looking at the most historic football clubs that have had the most influence on the beautiful game, it is impossible not to acknowledge Sheffield FC which hopes to restore itself as the home of football once again.
Luton Town’s culture will help them back into the Premier League
Luton are officially relegated, but they are a resilient club that won't back down and the...
Our beautiful game: The secrets to winning mentality revealed
Have you ever wondered as a football fan just how significant winning mentality is for the players? Do you sit there from your comfy armchair watching your team on the television, and ever wonder how the players carry this aura of borderline arrogance when walking through that tunnel in a raucous atmosphere? This feature will provide you with all the answers for how players obtain this winning mentality both on and off the pitch.
Breaking the silence: The heartbreak of the ACL
: In the heartbeat of the beautiful game, there is a perpetual problem not on the scoreboards but on the minds of those who grace the pitch. The recent spike in ACL injuries within the women’s game has invited Football minds to explore the deep psychology of the effects of the injuries.
Inside football academies: the mental struggles of the lost generation of footballing stars
Stories of Triumph and Tribulation from Two Ex-Players, and the Crucial Role of a Sports Psychologist”
HEADLINES
‘It becomes natural instinct’: Manchester City’s winning mentality
Manchester City epitomise winning trophies. The club achieved a historic fourth successive English league title two weeks ago, and its fair to say it was almost inevitable. But how have Manchester City created this winning mentality and culture?
Adam Le Fondre: how to be a super-sub
With help from Premier League-record-breaking striker Adam Le Fondre and ground-breaking substitution coach Sammy Lander, xGenius dives into the winning mentality of impact substitutes - and how coaches can cultivate it. Football is changing. With more added time and...
How a referee dealt with Paul Gascoigne, Vinnie Jones and a full pitch brawl at ‘The Battle of Old Trafford’.
Keith Hackett was an iconic English referee - taking charge of the 1981 FA Cup final, the European Championships, countless English first division fixtures and even the 1988 Seoul Olympics. As a referee every decision is under fierce scrutiny, and you have to...
When the beautiful game turns ugly: the mental pressures of football.
Uncover the unseen battle behind the glitz and glory, the brutal reality of footballers grappling with mental health challenges. From the pressures of performance to personal struggles, explore the human side of the beautiful game.
How do England win Euro 2024 without Luke Shaw?
Our tactics writer Aidan Smith, from Tactically Speaking, argues that Kieran Trippier is England's best option to replace the injured Luke Shaw at left-back throughout Euro 2024. England have injury troubles. Where? Left-back. If you were to rank every England...
The hidden toll of age fraud in African football: A psychological perspective
Age fraud in football, especially among young athletes, has long cast a shadow over African football. This practice, where players lie about their age to gain a competitive advantage, distorts competition at youth levels, hinders the development of genuine talent, and...
Positive mindset ‘vital’ in overcoming injuries says ex-Chelsea talent
Former England youth international Charlie Wakefield said he ‘felt like he’d killed someone in his past life’, after a string of injuries ended his promising career at Chelsea. Wakefield picked up ten serious hamstring injuries between the ages of 18 and 21, just...
Former Celtic defender, Rudi Vata: ‘I was my own son’s football agent’
Rudi Vata was his own son's football agent offering all of the advice and experience from his playing days, until there was an emergency. Vata captained his nation and spent four seasons as a defender at Celtic. Now, his son Rocco is following in his footsteps. What...
If Rishi Sunak does have a mastermind plan to win the UK general election, he will be banking on England’s Euro 2024 success.
Sunak began his election campaign by scoring an own goal when he asked, “So are you looking forward to all the football?” to a pub in South Wales. He was met with an awkward silence before one local pointed out that Wales were not in the Euros this summer. Sunak...
Scottish Cup Final – Celtic have a psychological edge over Rangers
Celtic have not lost a single Glasgow Derby this season, and the psychological boost that gives them going into this game can not be understated. In several Old Firm matchups this season Celtic have not shown up, but have still found a way to get a result, which all...
Home
xGenius delivers all football features on mentality and the minds behind our beautiful game.
‘It becomes natural instinct’: Manchester City’s winning mentality
Manchester City epitomise winning trophies. The club achieved a historic fourth successive English league title two weeks ago, and its fair to say it was almost inevitable. But how have Manchester City created this winning mentality and culture?
Top three tips from David Beckham and Ryan Giggs’ former sleep coach
The '90s marked a revolution in the science of football and performance, at the heart of it was Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United as they explored how sleep improves the mentality and performance. Fast forward to today and every club leaves no mattress unturned....
Unmarked and isolated: the battle between footballers and loneliness
Loneliness is rife as most footballers, their path to becoming a professional is done via the academy system. The only notable, alternative routes are if they rise through the American school/college process or if they start from the very bottom in a non-league...
Euro 2024 best leaders XI
Euro 2024 is right around the corner, so we decided to scour the 24 sides competing, and build a team of the best leaders. GK - Manuel Neuer - Germany - The veteran shot stopper is not only one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, but an excellent leader....
‘It becomes natural instinct’: Manchester City’s winning mentality
Manchester City epitomise winning trophies. The club achieved a historic fourth successive English league title two weeks ago, and its fair to say it was almost inevitable. But how have Manchester City created this winning mentality and culture? Despite the outside...
Positive mindset ‘vital’ in overcoming injuries says ex-Chelsea talent
Former England youth international Charlie Wakefield said he ‘felt like he’d killed someone in his past life’, after a string of injuries ended his promising career at Chelsea. Wakefield picked up ten serious hamstring injuries between the ages of 18 and 21, just...
Former Celtic defender, Rudi Vata: ‘I was my own son’s football agent’
Rudi Vata was his own son's football agent offering all of the advice and experience from his playing days, until there was an emergency. Vata captained his nation and spent four seasons as a defender at Celtic. Now, his son Rocco is following in his footsteps. What...