Sacked in the Morning

From non‑league pitches and rejection at 15 to Premier League promotion and international caps with Ireland, former Sheffield United, QPR and Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny joins us for a brutally honest look back at one of football’s most colourful careers. He relives his extraordinary relationship with Neil Warnock, from unforgettable dressing‑room moments and fierce touchline scraps to the trust that kept seeing him signed time and again. Paddy opens up on promotion highs, crushing setbacks, a nine‑month ban, clashes with managers and what it really takes to survive.

From coming through the ranks at Hibernian to winning trophies and playing Champions League football with Rangers, former Scotland midfielder Kevin Thomson joins us to look back on a career full of big moments and bigger characters. He lifts the lid on life under Walter Smith, including receiving the famous hairdryer treatment, along with the highs, the injuries and the lessons learned along the way. From dressing rooms to dugouts via a stint in management with Kelty Hearts, Kevin tells us what it really takes to survive at the top of the game.

After managing for nearly 1000games the former Ayr United, Partick Thistle and Dundee United gaffer talks us through his career across Scottish Football. From signing for Graeme Souness Rangers to starting his management career at Clydebank to getting sacked after receiving a standing ovation at Ibrox, Ian has seen it all and in this great episode he tells us exactly how it all happened.

Former Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Leeds United defender Stephen Warnock sits down to reflect on his footballing career. He opens up about the highs and lows of his playing days, including when his entire team found themselves locked up in the cells, when Big Sam handed him his credit card plus his PIN number and the dramatic story of when Liverpool wanted him to return to Anfield and why it didn’t happen.

One of football’s most iconic voices joins Craig and Amy for a revealing and often hilarious journey through life behind the mic. From reporting on Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough to rubbing shoulders with Bill Shankly, Graeme Souness and Sir Alex Ferguson, Clive lifts the lid on the moments that shaped his career and shares the one line of commentary he never said… but wishes he had

Kemar Roofe joins Craig and Amy for an honest, lively and surprising look back at the moments that shaped his career. From breaking through at Oxford to playing under Marcelo Bielsa, Vincent Kompany and Steven Gerrard, Roofe reveals the standards, the pressure and the mindset behind his best football. He lifts the lid on “Murderball” training, that infamous Leeds spying incident, and the family support that kept him grounded long before he reached the Premier League or Rangers.

Joining Craig and Amy is the irrepressible Martin Allen. In a brilliantly funny and fascinating interview the former Brentford, Leicester City and Barnet gaffer reveals his unique man-management style (less said about the wine gum the better), how his upbringing influenced him plus the treat he gave his players that turned them into little boys on Christmas Day.

From missiles to Millwall chants. Iain Dowie joins Craig and Amy for a hilarious and surprisingly emotional journey through his unique footballing life. From testing weapons to scoring goals (and one unforgettable own goal), Dowie’s career is anything but ordinary. Which manager made players throw up in training? What happened when he tried to reason with a Millwall fan? And how did he end up cleaning up takeaway leftovers in a Premier League flat? Plus, he faces the dreaded WHEEL OF TRUTH. Will he survive?

Football’s BIGGEST cult hero. Literally. Adebayo Akinfenwa joins Craig and Amy for a laugh-out-loud chat about his career, his unforgettable managers, and the moments that made him a legend. Which manager stripped off during team talks? What was it like leaving home at 18 to play in Lithuania? And will he dare face the dreaded WHEEL OF TRUTH?WARNING: This episode contains strong language and some offensive language reflecting Adebayo’s real experiences of racism while playing in Lithuania.

Twenty years to the day since Vladimir Romanov sensationally sacked George Burley, despite Hearts sitting top of the league and unbeaten, Robbie Neilson joins us to reveal what life was really like under the chaotic Lithuanian regime.He also reflects on playing under Sven-Göran Eriksson, recalls Craig Levein’s blunt words of encouragement when he was “sacked in the morning”, and explains what it’s like working at the very bottom of the City Football Group pyramid.If you want to hear more about Vladimir Romanov’s rise from submariner to millionaire football owner to wanted man, search Romanov: Czar of Hearts wherever you get your podcasts.

How do you bring Manchester United back to their former glory?Legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel joins Craig Levein and Amy Irons for a fascinating chat about where Manchester United have lost their way and what he’d do to put it right. Peter also reflects on his pride in his son Kasper, reveals how Eric Cantona inspired his teammates from the moment he walked into training, and becomes the first guest to face THE WHEEL OF TRUTH!

From “Aguerooooo!” to “And it’s live!”, Martin Tyler joins Craig and Amy for a deep dive into the life behind the voice that defined the Premier League. In this episode, the legendary commentator opens up about his decades in the gantry, the moments that made history, and the lines that still get shouted at him in the street. We also hear about his time coaching in non-league football and his joy at being still part of the game.Get in touch with us via [email protected] and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71

From battling for midfield dominance to battling for his life, Stiliyan Petrov joins Craig and Amy for a powerful episode of Sacked in the Morning. The Celtic and Aston Villa legend opens up about his rise from Montana and CSKA Sofia to becoming a fan favourite in Glasgow and Birmingham. He shares stories of playing under Martin O’Neill, recovering from a brutal leg break, and his unforgettable fight against leukemia. With honesty, humour, and heart, Stiliyan reflects on leadership, resilience, and the dressing room dynamics that shaped his career.Get in touch with us via [email protected] and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71

Cult hero, enforcer, and all-round warrior Pasquale Bruno joins Craig and Amy for a fiery episode of Sacked in the Morning. From clashing with Maradona and Van Basten in Serie A to being nicknamed “The Animal” for his no-nonsense defending, Pasquale shares incredible stories from a career built on grit, passion, and pure chaos. He opens up about life under managers like Dino Zoff and Claudio Ranieri, his move to Scotland and the Hearts dressing room, and how his final ever professional appearance came at Central Park in Fife.Get in touch with us via [email protected] and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71.

Cult hero, podcaster, and all-round maverick Jon Parkin joins Craig and Amy for a brilliantly chaotic episode of Sacked in the Morning. From crashing golf buggies before a friendly against Real Madrid to pole dancing in Krakow three days after knee surgery, Jon shares outrageous tales from a career that was anything but ordinary. He also opens up about the managers who tried (and failed) to change him, the pranks that got him in trouble, and why Tony Pulis just liked having him around.Get in touch with us via [email protected] and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71