‘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?
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...
Scoring shadows: A striker’s battle through goal droughts
Here at xGenius, the minds behind football, we will uncover all the top secrets to rediscovering that goal scoring touch and delve deep into the psychological impact of fan pressure along with expertise analysis. Find out what separates the good strikers from the elite.
Blood, booze, and brotherhood: Inside the mind of one of England’s most notorious hooligans
They’ve terrorised the country, the continent, and covered the beautiful game in shame. But why do they do it? xGenius goes inside the mind of one of England’s most notorious hooligans.
HEADLINES
What Manchester United need to do against Manchester City in the FA Cup final
Our tactics writer Aidan Smith, from Tactically Speaking, and videographer Ewan Harkness explain why Manchester United need to deploy a back-five to deal with Manchester City’s biggest threat. Erik ten Hag’s Man United have already lost three Manchester derbies this...
John Murray: The evolution of football commentary
For decades, John Murray has been the warm and familiar voice of BBC radio football coverage. To many, his rich Geordie accent signals the imminent kick-off of a Sunday afternoon fixture. John talks to xGenius about just how much the art of football commentary has...
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 might not have won the league, and once again this weekend offers another interesting opportunity for many fans to get behind a different team. But is that all okay?...
What to expect from Arne Slot’s Liverpool
Our tactics writer Aidan Smith, from Tactically Speaking, and videographer Ewan Harkness briefly outline how Liverpool will play under their new manager Arne Slot. Slot’s Feyenoord are good. They’re really good. They can play out from the back, move the ball quickly,...
Who will be starting for England in Euro 2024?
There's some obvious choices for Gareth Southgate for the England starting eleven, but other positions are much more contested for their spot on the pitch. We will be trying to work out what might be going through Southgate's mind when picking the starting XI....
England Euro 2024 squad announced
Gareth Southgate names his initial 30-man England squad which he intends to take to Euro 2024 in Germany, as the tournament starts June 14. This isn't the final draft just yet, and there's still time for some late decisions. As the England manager still has time to...
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.
England’s remote base camp for Euro 2024 reflects FA mission to learn from German tournament success
Once again, England have chosen to base themselves far from the city buzz as they prepare to tuck themselves away in a rustic German hicksville for Euro 2024. This is not the first time England have opted for geographical seclusion in recent years, and it all but confirms a more considered and holistic FA approach to these things.
Keep your mind sharp and prevent dementia with football
It may not affect you now, and it's something that we hear all too often, but you will thank yourself when you're older. You can keep your mind sharp by playing football, as study's have shown that regular exercise such as walking football could be the way to go for...
Harry Redknapp: Big personalities make themselves un-droppable
‘His personality is integral to the dressing room’ is the usual explanation for that one player sneaking into the matchday squad once again. They’re often less talented than many of their teammates, or a decade older, leaving fans in complex puzzlement. xGenius speaks to Harry Redknapp, and footballers Sebastian Robbemond and Will Middleton, to find out what exactly makes these ‘big dressing room personalities’ so important.
Home
xGenius delivers all football features on mentality and the minds behind our beautiful game.
Dealing with mad dads: Navigating the pressure on young players
As the half-time whistle blew, Michael Leech gathered his team for a talk. All of his players, only eight-years-old, listened while he lifted their spirits up before the second half. Midway through the talk, a player’s dad stormed over to the team, pointing...
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 might not have won the league, and once again this weekend offers another interesting opportunity for many fans to get behind a different team. But is that all okay?...
Who will be starting for England in Euro 2024?
There's some obvious choices for Gareth Southgate for the England starting eleven, but other positions are much more contested for their spot on the pitch. We will be trying to work out what might be going through Southgate's mind when picking the starting XI....
England Euro 2024 squad announced
Gareth Southgate names his initial 30-man England squad which he intends to take to Euro 2024 in Germany, as the tournament starts June 14. This isn't the final draft just yet, and there's still time for some late decisions. As the England manager still has time to...
Video: The modern mind behind the world’s first football club
Football is as much about the personnel behind the scenes as it is about the players on the pitch. It is a business for the owners with the stakeholders being the fans who invest their support every week. “Welcome to a new era of Sheffield FC,” says club chairman and...
Harry Redknapp: Big personalities make themselves un-droppable
Harry Redknapp has worked with a vast array of players and different personalities. You might have noticed, most teams have that one player that’s a mainstay in a matchday squad - but not because they’re anything special on the pitch. Some of these players have passed...