E409: Justin Cochrane

Tuchel's Assistant Takes You Inside England's World Cup Plans: Justin Cochrane (E409)

Justin Cochrane is one of elite football’s most respected coaches and a vital part of the England backroom team. Built on his "Vibe Scale" philosophy, Justin’s leadership focuses on reading a squad’s emotional temperature and providing players the freedom to be themselves.

In this episode, Justin shares the moving story of losing his wife Leeanne to cancer, and how her selfless approach to her final days redefined his perspective. He discusses the "medicine" of football, explaining how returning to coaching weeks after her death provided the stability needed to carry immense grief while operating at the highest level.

Justin also speaks to Jake and Damian about how personal trauma made him a better leader by shortening the gap between disappointment and recovery. From raising his three sons alone to preparing for a World Cup, Justin offers a masterclass in resilience, guided by Leeanne’s final gift: the reminder to always have "someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to.