Edited by Carolyn Kent
In this week’s Women’s Football Hub podcast, I sat down with Ivi Casagrande, a high-performance coach with a truly global football journey. From playing in Brazil to coaching in the NWSL and now shaping elite players with the Football Association of Ireland, Ivi’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and pushing the boundaries of sports science.
From Brazil to the World Stage
Ivi grew up in Brazil, playing with boys because that was the only option available. She earned a spot at Atlético Mineiro before moving to the US to study and play collegiate football. Initially set on a medical career, she pivoted to exercise physiology, eventually leading to her first major coaching role in Michigan. From there, she’s worked with FIFA, UEFA, and some of the biggest clubs in women’s football.
Her takeaway? Adaptability is key. “Every environment is different—you can’t just copy and paste what worked before,” she said.
Coaching at the Highest Level
Taking a role at Orlando Pride was a defining moment in Ivi’s career. Coaching players like Marta and Alex Morgan was a dream, but it also came with the challenges of imposter syndrome.
“You walk into a dressing room with some of the best in the world and think, ‘Am I good enough?’ But then you realise they’re just people. Once I got comfortable, I thrived as a coach.”
Her biggest learning curve? Understanding that players need space to take ownership of their development. “If they always rely on being told what to do, they struggle when the game changes.”
Building a High-Performance Culture
Ivi is passionate about fostering environments where players can make decisions, rather than being micromanaged.
🚀 Listen first – “Too often, coaches come in with a set way of doing things instead of assessing the culture first.”
🚀 Empower players – “If players don’t learn how to make decisions in training, they won’t adapt on the pitch.”
🚀 Understand the whole ecosystem – “Everyone from the physio to the admin staff impacts the team. If they aren’t supported, performance suffers.”
Navigating Resistance in Coaching
Not every coach buys into sports science. Ivi has worked with plenty of skeptics but sees resistance as an opportunity, not a roadblock.
💡 “If a coach questions your approach, that means they care. The key is meeting them halfway.”
💡 “Winning every argument isn’t the goal—sometimes you just need to plant a seed and let it grow.”
Football’s Work-Life Balance Problem
Footballers are expected to live and breathe the game 24/7—but at what cost?
📌 Mental fatigue is real – “Players don’t switch off. Even outside training, social media and sponsorships keep them immersed in football.”
📌 Recovery is more than just rest – “It’s not just about sleep and nutrition.”
📌 Coaches need to model balance – “Players emulate what they see. If coaches glorify overwork, players will do the same.”
What the Women’s World Cup Can Do for Brazil
With Brazil set to host the Women’s World Cup, Ivi is hopeful—but also cautious.
🌎 Visibility is great, but what’s next? – “We saw what happened in Australia. The challenge for Brazil is ensuring young girls have actual opportunities to play.”
🏆 Legacy is about action, not just hype – “If there’s no investment in grassroots football, this will be a one-off event, not a long-term shift.”
Final Thoughts: What Football Needs to Learn
Ivi’s career highlights one major theme: football is about people. Whether it’s coaching, sports science, or leadership, success comes from understanding players as individuals and creating environments where they can thrive.
🎧 Want to learn more? Listen to the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
🔗 Follow Ivi’s work at casagrandecoaching.org
📢 Join the conversation – What do you think football needs to change to support players better? Let us know in the comments!
This blog post was created with assistance from OpenAI’s ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2025).
References
OpenAI (2025) ChatGPT [Online]. Available at: https://openai.com/chatgpt [Accessed 22.2.25].
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