The Rest Is Football

Thomas Tuchel has signed a deal with The FA to become the new England manager. The 51-year-old German has signed an 18-month contract, starting on January 1st. Why have the FA opted for a foreign coach? Can Thomas Tuchel be the one to finally find the right balance in this England side? And does his style of play suit tournament football? Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do England solve the current problem at left-back? Are we starting to see more defensive frailties creep in to the side as they look to be more progressive? Is that a problem? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss where things stand with Lee Carsley after the latest set of fixtures and whether he really wants the job full time. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it impossible to get the best out of Foden, Bellingham, Palmer and Saka when they’re playing in the same team? Did England get the defensive balance wrong or do we want to see them take more risks? What will Ollie Watkins be thinking after not getting a start in this game? Gary, Alan and Micah also pay tribute to George Baldock, who sadly died at his home in Athens earlier this week. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If Liverpool could only keep two of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, who would you let go? Who would the lads pick in their ultimate 5-a-side teams? How on earth did Alan end up on one of Kamala Harris’ official TikTok videos? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss how Messi has perfected the art of the twilight years of your career. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Tottenham their own worst enemy at times? Who will blink first in the title race out of Liverpool, Man City & Arsenal? What are the favourite treats and takeaways for the guys when they spend a full day working on Match of the Day? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss Man United’s ongoing problems as Alan outlines their three main areas of weakness. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have Villa shown they’re here to stay at Champions League level after beating Bayern Munich? Is Kai Havertz showing he can be the No.9 that fires Arsenal to silverware? Are Real Madrid struggling to fit all their superstars into the team? Gary, Alan and Micah review the latest round of Champions League matches and also discuss the implications for VAR after Bruno Fernandes’ red card was overturned by an independent FA panel. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Which stadium has the most hostile tunnel walk? Which players would like to dish it out in the tunnel before you even got on the pitch? Who would be in your dream 5-a-side team of current players? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the most mentally challenging moments of their careers as they answer the best of your listener questions. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the identity of this Man United team? Is there a problem in the dressing room? Have the owners put Erik ten Hag in an impossible situation? Gary, Alan and Micah discuss the troubles at Man United after a disappointing loss against Spurs. The trio also review the other key highlights from the weekend as Liverpool go top, Arsenal leave it late and Everton get their first win of the season. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How have things changed for the England team after the disappointment at Euro 2024? Which new Man City summer signing embraced the ‘work hard, play hard’ lifestyle on a pre-season trip to LA? What really happened when he tweeted that picture of a car after a heavy defeat for Aston Villa? Premier League winner and new England coach Joleon Lescott joins Gary, Alan and Micah to discus what it was really like being Micah’s team-mate and what the future looks like for the England team under Lee Carsley. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do Man City adapt to Rodri’s absence? Will this be Arsenal’s best chance to win the league? Will teams go after Man City a little bit more now? Gary, Alan and Micah also pick their top three non-footballing sports stars of all time and finally answer the all important question - what are their favourite types of cheese? Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do Arsenal recover from their last minute agony at the Etihad? Did Man City get lucky after a poor second half performance? Do Arsenal finally have the belief they can win the Premier League? Gary, Alan and Micah reflect on an action packed clash at the top of the table and also discuss impressive wins for Liverpool and Chelsea as they round up the weekend’s action. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where does David Raya’s double save rank on the list of great saves? How far will Aston Villa go in the Champions League this season after an impressive start? Will the new format give Celtic a better chance of being more competitive in the tournament? Gary and Micah review the return of the Champions League and we get all the gossip from David Beckham’s appearance on CBS. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leeds 03/04? West Ham 02/03? Newcastle 08/09? Who were the best side to ever get relegated from the Premier League and what went wrong to have such talented bunch of players and still go down? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate whether compensation for managers should be a lot higher and discuss the best and worst haircuts in football. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much of an impact will Arsenal’s win in the North London Derby have on next week’s clash with Man City? Why are Newcastle picking up points even though they’re not playing at their best? How far can Nottingham Forest go this season? Gary, Alan and Micah reflect on this biggest headlines from this weekend and also explain how the Match Of The Day running order works and why it’s fairer than you think. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What did Jose Mourinho do to make sure Cesc joined Chelsea in 2014 instead of Man City or Man Utd? How did bizarre team meetings in Pepe Reina’s room at midnight the night before every game inspire Spain to World Cup victory? Could we see a full-back win the Ballon d’Or this year? The second part of Gary’s conversation with Cesc Fàbregas sees the pair discuss his time at Chelsea and the many successes of the Spanish national team. Cesc also picks the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and striker he’s ever played with. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was it that set Arsène Wenger apart from other managers? Was Cesc really aiming for Fergie with that pepperoni pizza in the tunnel at Old Trafford? How did he end up spending hours in a police station after a night out at the 2006 World Cup in Germany? Gary is joined by the brilliant Cesc Fàbregas to discuss the early days of his career with Barcelona & Arsenal and why he now wishes he’d waited longer to leave the Gunners. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who impressed the most in a new-look England side? Is the number ten role Jack Grealish’s best position? Will Nicko Sensoli ever buy a drink in San Marino again after his goal gave his side their first win in 20 years? Gary, Alan and Micah discuss what differences we saw from England in Lee Carsley’s first game as boss and reflect on the other headlines from the international break so far. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why has Arne Slot had such a great start to life at Liverpool when so many others have struggled taking over from successful managers at big clubs? What’s the secret to success at a club like Liverpool? Gary is joined by England, Liverpool and Watford legend John Barnes to discuss how his upbringing influenced his entire footballing career and who the greatest players he’s ever seen are. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do the boys think of the new Champions League system? Who deserves the Ballon d’Or this year? Why could Federico Chiesa be the signing of the transfer window? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss how players spread transfer rumours about themselves to help negotiate better new contracts with their current clubs. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Man Utd a group of individuals rather than a team? Should Declan Rice have been sent off against Brighton? Will this be Mo Salah’s final season as a Liverpool player? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss how the Everton players pick themselves up after a stunning late turnaround from Bournemouth. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What deals might we expect to see this Deadline Day? Where will Ivan Toney end up playing this season? Will there be a big move for Marc Guéhi? And what happened when David snuck onto a golf course with the England football team as a kid? Gary is joined by football correspondent David Ornstein to discuss his route into journalism and how he ended up as a transfers expert. They also reflect on why it has been a fairly quiet transfer window so far and if that could lead to a busy Deadline Day. You can read David’s work on The Athletic here and follow him on X @David_Ornstein Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why are we so obsessed with Fantasy Football and just how good is Micah at it? Where does Goodison Park rank on the list of the UK’s best grounds? Who is responsible for all of Gary’s dad jokes on Match of the Day? Gary, Alan and Micah answer the best of your questions and also pay tribute to Sven-Göran Eriksson, who sadly passed away earlier this week. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Chelsea learning to embrace the chaos? Can anyone stop Erling Haaland from winning the Golden Boot for a third consecutive season? How worrying have Everton’s opening two performances been? Gary, Alan and Micah reflect on the key points from the weekend and discuss who needs what in the final week of the transfer window. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are the secrets of being a brilliant centre forward? Who are the best strikers of all time? Will the traditional ‘Number 9’ come back into fashion? Gary and Alan, two of England’s greatest ever strikers, discuss the art of scoring lots and lots of goals. They also offer some advice to young players trying to make their way in the game now. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where have all the maverick players gone from the game? Are tactical developments killing players’ spontaneity and freedom? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the idea of specific players being given holidays mid-season and we hear how Micah is getting on at Disneyland in the middle of the summer holidays. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do Chelsea manage the problem of player unrest with such an inflated squad size? Where did Arne Slot make his mark as Liverpool’s new boss? Have Brighton found another gem in Fabian Hurzeler? Gary, Alan and Micah reflect on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League season and discuss who has made an early impression. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who will be top four? Who’s heading for the drop? Which teams will surprise and which will disappoint? In this special episode, Gary, Alan, and Micah look ahead to the new Premier League Season. They evaluate every one of the twenty Premier League clubs, predicting where they will finish. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What goes on the night before away fixtures? Micah takes us through his pre match Chinese meal, and has Fantasy Football changed the way we look at the game? Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester City edge Manchester United in the Community Shield, Micah give his report from the Parc de Princes as Spain beat France in thrilling Gold Medal Match…. And Is Pep Guardiola interested in the England job? Gary, Alan and Micah are finally back together to get ready for the new Premier League Season! Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What have been Gary and Micah’s favourite Olympic moments so far? Is Conor Gallagher’s move to Atlético Madrid good for Chelsea? Why did Micah hate pre-season training and games so much? Micah is back from holiday to tell us all about his time in Barbados and joins Gary to go through the best of your questions. The boys also discuss who would have come out on top if they had been part of the ‘Superstars’ TV programme. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did Thierry Henry utterly embarrass Micah the first time they played against each other? Who is the most difficult player van Dijk has ever played against? Why did Gazza turn down Man Utd? In today’s episode we look back at the best moments from some of our special guest interviews over the last year. We hear from Thierry Henry, Virgil van Dijk, Paul Gascoigne, Andriy Shevchenko, Peter Beardsley, Fabrizio Romano, Howard Webb and Sid Lowe. Don’t forget if you want to listen to any of these interviews in full you can find them all in our full episode list. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What exactly was going on with the rush of big money transfers we saw at the end of June? Which clubs are in real danger of being punished for breaking PSR rules next season? Why is the multi-club ownership model such a problem? Gary is joined by journalist Nick Harris to discuss the murky world of football and money and how that is affecting clubs in this summer’s transfer window. Nick has been a journalist for 30 years and specialises in the business and finance of sport, especially football. You can find him on Twitter @sportingintel and read his work on his website at: https://sportingintelligence832.substack.com Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we build up to a new domestic season starting in a few weeks we’re taking the chance to look back at the highlights from the first year of The Rest Is Football. From stories of dressing room bust-ups to anecdotes of playing with the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Mario Balotelli. Gary, Alan and Micah reveal what life is really like playing at the elite level of the game we all love. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trouble in Paris as Argentinians defend Enzo Fernández’s remarks after The Copa America, Football at The Olympics and how Hollywood and Wales became a football match made in heaven. Gary is joined by Journalist and Author Ian Herbert to talk about his book, Tinseltown: Hollywood and the Beautiful Game - A Match Made in Wrexham Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re a week on now from the end of Euro 2024 and England falling at the very final hurdle against a brilliant Spanish side. We had an incredible time on The Rest Is Football and loved trying to bring you inside the tournament with us. On today’s episode we’re looking back at that amazing month or so with our ‘Best Moments From Euro 2024’. Plenty of laughs, some cracking interviews and wonderful stories. Alongside Gary, Alan and Micah we also hear from Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand, David Moyes & Alastair Campbell. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who should be the next England manager? Does it matter if they are English or not? What will Gareth Southgate’s legacy be? Gary and Micah react to the news that Southgate is stepping down as England boss after 8 years and discuss what that means for the future. This summer join EE the lead sponsor of the England teams and stand against hate. Find out more at bit.ly/EETRIFPodcast Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will England be disappointed with their performance in the final? Did they get the tactics wrong? What next for England and Gareth Southgate? Gary, Alan and Micah reflect on the Three Lions defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024 and what the future holds for the national side. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does Gareth Southgate introduce Luke Shaw into the starting XI? How do England deal with Spain’s electric wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams? Can England make use of the the extra man in midfield? Gary, Alan & Micah preview The Final of the European Championships between England and Spain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker is joined by Spanish football expert Sid Lowe to give us the inside track on players such as Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Rodri and Lamine Yamal. In particular Sid tells us the extraordinary family story of Nico Williams, whose brother Iñaki plays for Ghana. Plus how has national coach Luis de la Fuente changed Spain from a team obsessed with possession to a team with flying wingers? Sid Lowe is co-host of The Spanish Football Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-spanish-football-podcast/id687671367 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did club rivalries destroy England’s Golden Generation? Rio Ferdinand joins Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer to explain why his England team of Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes and Rooney could never work together. And if a teenager wins the Euros final for his country will it be Kobbie Mainoo or Lamine Yamal? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was the first half against The Netherlands the best England have played all tournament? How Kobbie Mainoo has turned himself into one of England’s key players? Plus that Ollie Watkins goal that will live long in the memory Gary and Micah get Alan’s report on an unforgettable night for England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are England now hitting form at just the right time? Have they finally had the lucky break they’ve been waiting for at a major tournament? Dare we dream? Gary and Micah are in a jubilant mood as they react to England making it through to successive European Championship finals. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Lamine Yamal even better than Wayne Rooney was at the age of 16? Has Dani Olmo been Spain’s surprise package at this tournament? Is that the end for Didier Deschamps as France’s manager? Gary, Alan and Micah reflect on the first semi-final which saw Spain dump France out and march into the final. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What starting XI should England pick for the match against the Netherlands? What are the big threats the Dutch can pose England? Is Lamine Yamal v Theo Hernández the key battle in the Spain v France game? Gary, Alan and Micah make their predictions for the Euro 2024 semi-finals and Micah gives the boys all the gossip from the BBC v ITV ‘friendly’ match in Berlin. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do England improve again after a more encouraging performance against Switzerland? Do they bring Marc Guéhi back in or stick with Ezri Konsa for the semi-final? Are we still leaving substitutions too late to have a proactive impact on the game? Gary, Alan and Micah discuss Big Al’s trip to Düsseldorf and Cologne and how England are shaping up for the business end of the tournament. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How crucial is Bukayo Saka to England’s chances of success? Have they finally broken the mental pressures of a penalty shootout? Should England stick with the change in formation for the semi-final against the Netherlands? Gary and Micah reflect on England’s performance that saw them beat Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the one key thing that will make England’s switch to a back three a success? How difficult is it to change formation and tactics mid-tournament? Are Spain now clear favourites to win the tournament? Gary and Micah catch up to look at England’s tactical changes for their quarter-final against Switzerland and discuss Spain and France making it through to the semi-finals. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do England beat this strong Switzerland side? Will Mbappé or Ronaldo shine brightest in their quarter-final? Is Germany v Spain the most evenly matched game? Gary, Alan and Micah look at all four upcoming quarter-finals and discuss where the key battles will be and who will come out victorious from each. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was going through Eric Cantona’s head when he jumped into the crowd at Selhurst Park? Why does he support England at international tournaments? What was the reason behind his iconic celebration against Sunderland? Gary, Alan and Micah are joined by the legendary Eric Cantona to talk about his life growing up in Marseille and how he became one of the best players in the world. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Ronaldo holding Portugal back? Was Mert Günok’s last minute save for Turkey against Austria the best ever at a Europeans Championships? Have the Netherlands finally started to show glimpses of what they’re capable of? Gary, Alan and Micah look back at the Round of 16 matches and see who came out on top in their predictions for this round. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices