Mourad, Nohô Host in Toulouse: Soccer as a Passion, Coaching as a Calling

For some people, soccer is never just a sport. For Mourad, it’s a way of seeing the world, understanding others, and passing on knowledge. A coach for over 20 years, trained in video analysis and scouting, he has worked with players of all levels, some of whom are now in professional training academies. From Toulouse, he uses Nohô to share this passion and his expertise with those who want to improve or simply understand what lies behind the beautiful game.

Can you introduce yourself?

I grew up in the Île-de-France region and have spent my whole life in soccer. I wasn’t able to turn pro because of heart problems, so I turned to coaching. At first, it wasn’t really a choice, but once I started, I loved it. And I’ve been doing nothing but that ever since. I’ve coached girls from the very youngest age groups all the way up to the under 16s. Today, some of the players I’ve trained are pros or are in youth academies. On top of that, I have a second passion: podcasts, which I’m actively working on and which will be launching soon.

What has your career path been like?

I’ve worked for over 20 years in soccer coaching, covering many different aspects: training, of course, but also event management, teaching, and player development. I’ve also completed training in video analysis for soccer, which allows me to analyze a game or a player like a professional, not just as a fan. And I’ve taken courses in scouting and player evaluation, which gives me the eye of a scout and helps me understand how they work. I know a lot of them now, so I know exactly how they operate and what they look for.

Do you still play yourself?

With friends, yes, but it’s just for fun. I don’t have a player’s license anymore it’s really just to stay in shape and have a good time.

What do you offer on Nohô?

I offer specialized training sessions that is, sessions that complement what the club already offers. Many people think there’s no point in training outside the club, but that’s not true. In many other countries, kids train a lot. Repeating movements, especially when you’re young, is what allows the brain to process them and the body to get used to them. At the club, you train with 10 to 15 kids, so it’s hard to get individual repetition. In specialized training, you’re on your own, repeating the same movement dozens of times in an hour. Your brain registers it, and you can’t help but improve. I recently had a 12-year-old who had never played soccer before. You could tell right away that he lacked coordination completely. It’s exactly for situations like these that specialized training is invaluable. And it’s not just about training: I also go to games, observe, analyze the player’s weaknesses and strengths, we discuss them together, and we work on them. There’s real follow-up behind it, real support.

And the podcast can you tell us about it?

Yes, it’s coming soon. The first episode will be an introduction where I’ll explain the content and format. And the second episode will feature someone people might not necessarily know, but who’s a fixture at quite a few youth academies in France and part of a team that’s constantly on the rise. I’ll be releasing it on every possible platform, not just one or two.

When a Passion for Soccer Becomes a Mission

On Nohô, some stories make you want to lace up your cleats again or see soccer in a whole new light. Mourad’s story is one of them. He’s not just any coach: he’s an enthusiast who analyzes, observes, and follows the game, putting 20 years of experience to work for every player he coaches. Whether you’re the parent of a young soccer player, an amateur player looking to improve, or simply curious to understand what an expert eye really sees, an hour with him in Toulouse is worth far more than just a regular practice session.