Albion legend and under-18s coach Inigo Calderon discusses a range of topics with host Paul Hayward on the Official Brighton & Hove Albion podcast.
The Spaniard made 232 appearances over a seven-year spell at the Amex, helping us win promotion from League One in 2011.
Inigo, or Calde as he is known around the club, wound down his playing days in Cyprus and India, before starting his coaching career with former club Alaves.
He returned to Albion in summer 2023 as our under-18s head coach, a role he is thoroughly enjoying.
“We are in a special club, so we have to play a certain way,” the 42-year-old explained. “I am comfortable with it because I was a player here, so I know what it means to play for Brighton.
“I am really happy to coach a Brighton team because of that, it means I am totally convinced that the way we play is the right way. It means that even when we play ‘bigger teams’ we can still perform better as a team and do well.
“When you’re in the academy, your main target is to produce players for the first team, it's really good here because that’s a part of our identity. We’re not just producing players for football, it’s for Brighton & Hove Albion.
“It’s stressful, because there are plenty of things to think about but I knew that when I came here.”
Interviewed by Paul Hayward, Inigo explained the key focuses of his work with Albion’s under-18s.
“It’s about tactical and game management. When they are 16-years-old they don’t necessarily care too much about the result. But when they come through the phases and get closer to the first team, the result matters.
“You have to deal with the pressure when you’re losing and when you’re winning. I like to coach them as well tactically, for me the most important thing is to understand the game.
“They do care about the result at younger age groups, but there’s a lot of emphasis on improving technically. But at this level it’s about understanding the game and I like that. Being a Brighton player, understanding the game is the most important thing for me.”