Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

Welcome back to Lions Watch, your one stop shop for all things England! This week, Marcus and Luke begin with Harry Kane’s injury, which might lead to only a brief hiatus, but raises all sorts of questions about England’s flexibility as well as that age old dilemma: do you play your star player when he’s not 100% fit?Elsewhere, we discuss John Stones’ familiar downturn in form after a season that has promised so much change and revisit Euro 2016, where the England shirt has perhaps never weighed so heavily. Join us!Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!**Featured image courtesy of Anton Zaitsev. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Miguel Delaney look back on a truly seismic week, as the formation and startling failure of the European Super League represented the most significant story in the history of European football.With the project shelved (for now), we highlight the pivotal moments in the fight between the deluded, monied elite and everyone else. We also wonder what's next for Bayern Munich – whose manager Hansi Flick will be leaving at the end of the season – and we hear from Lars Sivertsen, Nicky Bandini and David Cartlidge about the reaction to the Super League across Europe.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Mark Pougatch on today's episode of Ramble Meets... is former Newcastle, Tottenham and England midfielder turned TV pundit, Jermaine Jenas!Jermaine talks Mark through his impressive career that began in the aftermath of Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest and saw him experience some of the game's grandest occasions at both Spurs and Newcastle. He also reveals some of the regrets around his England career, where miscommunication with Fabio Capello halted what should've been a long and illustrious stint on the international stage. Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected] fans missing from the stadiums this FA Cup season, Jermaine Jenas has been working with heycar, official broadcast sponsor of the FA Cup coverage on BT Sport, to bring supporters close to the game and the magic of the cup to life.Jermaine has chatted to fans about their own FA Cup memories and favourite road trips to games, as well as sharing his own experiences of football’s most famous cup competition and his thoughts on this season’s tournament. To see all of Jermaine’s interviews and find out everything heycar has been doing to bring fans closer to the Cup, visit www.heycar.co.uk/fa-cup-stories.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marcus and Luke are back with a brand new edition of Lions Watch, the show dedicated to all things England! We are stumbling over ourselves with excitement for this one.Jesse Lingard is the form player in the Premier League – but should Gareth Southgate give him the keys to the kingdom? And where does all this leave poor old Jack Grealish?Elsewhere, if we needed any further evidence, Jude Bellingham was jaw-droppingly good this week: we drill down into his qualities. And the next stop on our journey through the 2010s brings us to World Cup 2014, where a young England squad came away with some stark truths, a glimmer of hope, and the prestigious honour of playing out the most forgettable football game in World Cup history. Join us!Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***Featured image courtesy of Anton Zaitsev.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun is joined by Lars Sivertsen and Miguel Delaney to look back over the week’s Champions League action!While Pep Guardiola finally overcame his Champions League hoodoo with Man City, Dortmund now desperately need to rescue their season with a top four finish. We look at the implications for Erling Haaland and why he may well be heading to Real Madrid rather than Man City.Elsewhere, PSG and Bayern served up another cracking tie, but one which threw up more questions than answers about both sides. We discuss Hansi Flick’s future and what next for Bayern after some miserly transfer windows. And with PSG and Man City back in the last four of the Champions League, we look at what sportswashing in football really amounts to.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by one of Europe's most exciting young coaches on today's episode of Ramble Meets... as Andy sits down with RB Salzburg head coach, Jesse Marsch!Jesse's obsession with soccer was born in his native Wisconsin and has taken him across the United States and Canada, before he arrived in Leipzig in 2018 as Ralf Rangnick's assistant. Now at Champions League newcomers RB Salzburg, Jesse talks Andy through his untraditional journey as well as the misconceptions around American coaches and how he has honed his leadership techniques across different teams and cultures.Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected].***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our brand new addition to Football Ramble Presents, Lions Watch, a show dedicated to all things England! Every Saturday, Marcus Speller and Luke Moore discuss the latest stories around Gareth Southgate’s squad in the build-up to the Euros. Who’s waiting by the phone? Who’s metatarsal is plastered on the front pages? And what does it all mean for that final 23-man squad? We will also be revisiting tournaments and matches gone by to trace the evolution that has shaped Southgate’s England side today – and watch out for interviews and plenty of your correspondence, too! This week, we look at the repercussions of Declan Rice’s injury and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inconsistent form. We also take you back to the dark days of Fabio Capello, the scorching heat of Bloemfontein, and Roy Hodgson’s baptism of fire. The journey to Euro 2020 starts here. Join us!Let us know the overlooked players you’d like to see in the England squad. Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***Featured image courtesy of Anton Zaitsev.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a new edition of On The Continent, your one-stop shop for all things European football. Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini wrap up an eventful week in the Champions League and beyond!Bayern Munich fell to their first home defeat in all competitions since November 2019 – and it took a monumental effort from PSG to overcome the Bavarian giants. We reflect on the reasons behind Bayern’s rare lapse and what this means for Mauricio Pochettino’s side after a gutless defeat to Lille last weekend.There was also a landmark result for Zinedine Zidane in midweek, who showed that he really can mix it with the very best tactical minds in Europe. And after a turbulent past few weeks, Juventus landed an important win against Napoli.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Kate and Jim on today's episode of the Book Club is Luton Town legend who played over 400 matches throughout the most successful stint in their history and earned an England call up under Sir Bobby Robson: it's Ricky Hill!Ricky joins us to reflect on an impressive career marred with frustration and disappointment. He rose through the ranks at Luton Town at just 17, and was an integral part of the side that won the League Cup in 1987/88 – however, obstacles entirely out of his control meant his subsequent managerial career was more challenging. We discuss the impossible task he faced in the Luton dugout and how that unfairly tarnished his reputation, the need for greater diversity across the entire non-playing staff of English football clubs and his pioneering work around the game's equivalent of the NFL's 'Rooney Rule.'Ricky's new book, Love of the Game, is available here!Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected].***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another edition of On The Continent. Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge bring you all the biggest stories from across European football!We begin with the repercussions of Robert Lewandowski’s injury for Bayern – domestically and in Europe. History suggests the transition could be difficult. But if any team can adapt, surely the Bayern juggernaut can?Elsewhere, we discuss the options for Sergio Agüero on the continent – from a Serie A renaissance, to an Atlético homecoming. It was also a landmark week for Antoine Griezmann on the international stage: but why is he underachieving at Barça when he remains such a stalwart for France?And we identify the best talents at the U21 Europeans Championships that you should be looking out for.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another episode of On The Continent, your one-stop shop for all things European football! Dotun, Andy and Lars chew the fat over an eventful week across the continent.After Paris Saint-Germain put in their finest domestic performance of the season against Lyon to take top spot in Ligue 1, we look over the four contenders for the French title. To the surprise of many, Niko Kovač’s Monaco have emerged as the league’s entertainers, while Lille seem to be struggling with their top dog status.We also check in with Bayer Leverkusen after Peter Bosz’s sacking. Who’s to blame for their staggering downturn in form this year? But it’s Cesare Prandelli’s resignation at Fiorentina that has really sent shockwaves and given the whole football world something to think about.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We return to Denmark for today's episode of Ramble Meets... as Andy sits down with two former Premier League stalwarts in Michael Essien and Johan Djourou!With over 100 international caps and almost forty years in the game between them, Michael and Johan are two of the most experienced members of the exciting project at FC Nordsjælland. They talk about their upbringing in Ghana and Switzerland respectively, playing for the likes of José Mourinho and Arsène Wenger and using their experiences to teach the next generation, with Michael gradually making his way onto the coaches' bench.Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected].***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Atlético crashing out of the Champions League represent the failings of Diego Simeone’s dated style, which now looks to be a relic from another time. Dotun, Andy and Miguel Delaney wonder what’s next for Los Rojiblancos and their fiery coach.Things look slightly rosier on the Galaticos’ side of the city, as Real Madrid unconvincingly brushed aside Atalanta and drew comparisons to Zinedine Zidane’s last trophy-winning stint. We also cast an eye over an interesting story developing in northern Europe, as a proposal to merge the Belgian Pro League and Dutch Eredivisie gathers momentum.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode of Ramble Meets... Andy sits down with FC Nordsjælland chairman and Right To Dream founder, Tom Vernon!Tom founded Right To Dream, the Ghanaian football academy, in 1999 - he joins Andy to discuss its immense educational and footballing imprint in the region, with over twenty graduates since playing professionally in Europe. He also expands on the academy’s purchase of Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjælland, as they look to change the perception and expectations of football club ownership. From the recent signings of Michael Essien and Johan Djourou to their emphasis on individual and collective development, the club is an intriguing and unique case of how a football club can operate in a wholly different way!Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected].***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini catch their breath and bring you their reaction to a dramatic week on and off the pitch in the Champions League!After Juventus’ exit in the last 16 again on Tuesday, we ask whether the Cristiano Ronaldo experiment has been a failure. Nicky also addresses the question marks over Andrea Pirlo’s position and whether Max Allegri really could do any better with such an unbalanced squad.Elsewhere, there’s an audible sigh of relief in Paris, though Andy explains why Barcelona can leave with at least some optimism. Plus, beyond the wonderfully sweet irony of it all, we explain what Andrea Agnelli’s Champions League proposals really mean for football.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some promising performances on the pitch haven’t drawn too much attention away from the chaos unfolding behind the scenes at Barcelona. Join Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge for the latest on the club’s ongoing boardroom scandal, as we preview the runners and riders in Sunday’s momentous presidential election. Staying with clubs on the brink of collapse, we try to work out which (if any) staff weren’t sacked following Schalke’s 5-1 loss to Stuttgart and assess Marseille’s latest appointment. That’s right: the ever-combustible Jorge Sampaoli has been appointed to bring a stoic calm to the Riviera, presumably by whipping the fans into a riotous frenzy.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's Ramble Meets... guest has spent nearly three decades coaching in elite football, including ten years under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Mark Pougatch is joined by Ferguson's former first-team coach and current Australia assistant coach, René Meulensteen!René has worked with some of football's most esteemed characters in a career that has taken him to England, Russia, the Middle East and beyond. He joins Mark to discuss growing up in the glory years of Dutch football, his techniques used in his trophy-laden spell at Manchester United and the differences between accomplished and world class footballers.Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected].***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen guide you through the second week of Champions League last 16 games and all of the biggest stories from across Europe!First off, we try and provide some answers to Atletico’s head-scratching performance against Chelsea. Their city rivals hardly pleased the eye either, though. But while Lars puts on his tin foil hat over some poor refereeing decisions in Real’s game on Wednesday night, we also look at how Zidane is riding out a difficult period at the Bernabéu.Elsewhere, we explain why Jamal Musiala chose Germany after the 17-year-old reached an unenviable juncture. Plus, following PSG’s defeat to Monaco last weekend, could Mauricio Pochettino’s first season really end without a league title? With that midfield, there's always a chance...Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode of 'Ramble Meets...' features a man well versed in professional football's intense and various demands, from playing as an international striker to managing across the leagues. Mark Pougatch sits down with former Northern Ireland, Southampton and West Ham striker, Iain Dowie!Iain regales us with tales from his storied career, from surviving non-league football's school of hard knocks and becoming Northern Ireland's record goalscorer, to the infamous tale of teammate Paulo Futre storming out of the pre-match dressing room over his shirt number! They also reminisce about his near-300 games in the dugout which included a memorable stint at Crystal Palace, beating his own beloved West Ham in a play-off final and, yes, inadvertently coining the phrase 'bouncebackability'.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a Champions League extravaganza on this week’s episode of On The Continent! Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Miguel Delaney are here to pore over the biggest stories from another round of continental crusades.As the reigns of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dwindle, we wonder how significant Kylian Mbappé’s cracking hat-trick at Camp Nou might prove to be and ask whether he will move on from the Parisians. We also praise Porto’s impressive win over an underwhelming Juventus and assess Marco Rose’s potential at Borussia Dortmund.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode of the Book Club takes you deep into the heart of the Swedish underworld, as the gangland execution of a promising footballer made national news in 2010. Kate and Jim are joined by Ann Törnkvist to discuss her best-selling book, Follow Fucking Orders.Ann spent five years looking into the story of Eddie Moussa, the promising Assyrian footballer whose performances captured almost as much attention as his brutal death among the townspeople of Södertälje. Ann joins us from Sweden to recount how she came to write the book, from interviewing the families affected by the violence to uncovering the extent of organised crime’s grip on a quaint town. She also talks about the repercussions she faced after interviewing the crime boss who ordered the killing, as a subsequent death threat left a near-constant paranoia that nearly drove her out of her home. What book should we read next? Tweet us: @footballramble @kvlmason & @JimCampbellTFR***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Nicky Bandini for a brand new episode of On The Continent, your one-stop shop for all things European football!We begin by assessing the main contenders for the Serie A title, with Juventus' great run of form putting pressure on their Milanese opponents. We also ask what’s happening over at Borussia Dortmund and wonder whether they may be forced to sell their young superstars if they miss out on European qualification. Stick those alongside two cracking selections for Game of the Week and the ongoing scheduling issues amidst the return of the European knockouts, and you’ve got yourself a whistle stop tour of continental football’s biggest stories – join us!Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Ramble Meets... guest this week went from watching her hometown club Burnley on the terraces at Turf Moor to earning 82 international caps and even becoming an Olympian: it's former England goalkeeper turned pundit, Rachel Brown-Finnis!Rachel sits down with Mark Pougatch to talk about a fascinating career that straddles two vastly different eras of women's football in England. As the only girl who attended Bob Wilson's goalkeeper coaching camps as a child, before earning her Liverpool debut at just 15, Rachel went on to play college football in the United States as interest in the women's game started to bloom. Rachel and Mark discuss her formative years in the US, representing England and Great Britain on some of the game's biggest stages and even a summer spent playing on a tiny island off the coast of Iceland!Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected].***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun and Andy are joined by David Cartlidge to pick through the smouldering wreckage of another week in European football!After El Mundo revealed the staggering details of Messi’s contract, we study the fallout since as Messi looks to the courts and Barcelona’s presidential candidates scramble to back up their star player. We ask David whether Messi is the cause of Barcelona’s financial woes, or in fact a symptom of their profligacy.There’s no contract on the table over in France, as the emergency auction for Ligue 1’s TV rights falls short: an anomaly or a prophecy of things to come across Europe? Plus we head to Portugal, where Sporting could be about to win the Portuguese Liga for the first time since the days of Cristiano Ronaldo.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another edition of On The Continent! Dotun and Andy are joined by Lars to dive into the biggest stories from across European football.First, Andy gives us an update on PSG’s interest in Dele Alli, who looks ready to move across the Channel. Meanwhile in Germany, Dortmund and RB Leipzig’s capitulations have handed the initiative to a faltering Bayern Munich side. We take a look at what the future holds for Dortmund - as well as for their much-coveted star striker, Erling Haaland.We also spare a thought for Arkadiusz Milik, who has walked into a mess at Marseille - one not helped by their combustible coach. But happier times may await Papu Gómez, as Lars and Andy explain what he will bring to Sevilla.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not every football manager arrives at the training ground in an orange Ford Mustang with Guns N' Roses blasting from the stereo, but today’s guest wouldn't have it any other way. Mark Pougatch welcomes Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth to the Ramble Meets... hot seat!Gareth and Mark look back over a storied career that saw him involved in over 1000 matches from both sides of the dugout. They discuss everything from breaking through at Preston North End - after his dreams of a professional career seemed over - to leading Wycombe Wanderers from the bottom of the Football League all the way to the Championship for the first time in their history.Gareth also opens up about a love of music that has served as a source of inspiration and release - he even gives Mark a few lockdown listening recommendations!Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected].***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun, Andy and Miguel bring your weekly European football fix with the biggest stories from across the continent!We begin in Turkey, where Mesut Özil has finally touched down: but what, exactly, awaits him there? We gauge expectations in Fenerbahçe after their massive financial gamble and explore exactly how Özil will fit into the country’s political landscape.We check in on Serie A, where it’s increasingly looking like a two-horse race between Milan’s giants after Inter put a torrid Juventus to the sword. We also look at what Mario Mandžukić will bring to AC Milan’s young squad, before turning to Portugal, where football’s self-interest during the pandemic has been writ particularly large.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered what it'd be like to live with Jürgen Klopp? Well, our guest on today's episode of the Book Club turned a Twitter thread on just such a thought into a book: it's Laura Lexx, comedian and author of Klopp Actually: (Imaginary) Life with Football's Most Sensible Heartthrob!What started as a few hundred characters on Twitter has grown into a heartfelt book about dealing with life's anxieties and wrestling with the relationships we treasure most. Laura's writing explores these themes through her imaginary life with Jürgen, all while cramming in plenty of filthy laughs - and even the odd football fans' quip - along the way.What book should we read next? Tweet us: @footballramble @kvlmason & @JimCampbellTFR***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have the icy conditions in Spain somehow given Diego Simeone even more power? First aCoach of the Decade award, and now he’s managing La Liga’s genuine title favourites! Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Nicky Bandini are here to assess their snow-covered title charge on today’s episode of On The Continent!Elsewhere, with both Lazio and Roma playing at home in this weekend’s Derby della Capitale, we assess the fortunes of the two sides, one buoyed by an ageless Ciro Immobile and the other by the Premier League’s Greatest Hits. We also look over the off-field squabbles at Stuttgart and Bayern’s DFB-Pokal loss to second-tier Holsten Keil!Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Andy was delighted to sit down with Rubin Kazan head coach and former Russia national team manager, Leonid Slutsky!Leonid reflects on his hugely successful period at CSKA Moscow, where he made history in Europe. He also opens up about his turbulent time at Hull City back in 2017, and why he still maintains such great fondness for the city and for English football. And after going viral with his rendition of Mariah Carey this Christmas, we also of course find out all about that very special music video!Leonid is so charismatic and full of great stories. We think you're going to absolutely love this one!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back with your weekly European football fix! Dotun and Andy are joined by David Cartlidge to discuss some huge midweek fixtures.And where else to start but in Paris? We assess Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge and look at what can be realistically expected of him there, as well as what Pochettino could learn from Tuchel’s reign. We also go to Italy, where Juventus finally halted Milan’s incredible run. Andy and David run the rule over both sides’ title credentials, and take a closer look at Pirlo’s nascent regime.David also takes us through the instability at Athletic Bilbao and the very unique challenges faced by their new manager, Marcelino. Finally, we also revisit his first rodeo: a magnificent game against Barcelona on Wednesday night.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we welcome Nottingham Forest and England legend, Stuart Pearce!Stuart sits down with Mark Pougatch to reflect on the biggest and quirkiest moments of his storied career. He opens up about his relationship with Brian Clough and the legendary manager’s incredible attempt to tap him up midway through a game for Coventry City. He also guides us through Euro ’96: his feelings towards the media, why taking that penalty against Spain was so important to him and - of course - how he and Gareth Southgate ended up introducing the Sex Pistols on stage the day after.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy is joined on today’s Ramble Meets… by Ride founding member and diehard Oxford United fan, Mark Gardener!Mark’s love for Oxford United was cemented in his childhood, trying to clamber over the terraces to watch them with his Dad. He talks us through those early days, including the famous 1986 Milk Cup win, and how following his side became increasingly difficult as worldwide fame found the band. He often found himself talking to Oasis about their love for Man City and phoning home to hear the Oxford results while on tour! Mark and Andy also discuss some of his fondest memories following his boyhood club - including the delirium in the stands after the 2010 Conference Final win - and some of the maddest moments from Firoz Kassam’s ownership of the club.Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected].***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To help round off what has been a tumultuous 2020, Dotun Adebayo and Andy Brassell are joined today by all four of our On The Continent pundits! Together, we pick out some of European football's biggest stories from the past year. Miguel Delaney joins us to discuss whether Bayern Munich will cement their European dominance in the next few years of the Champions League, while David Cartlidge wonders what might happen to Lionel Messi’s fractured relationship with Barcelona. We also look back on Serie A’s biggest stories, as Lars Sivertsen celebrates another miraculous year for Zlatan Ibrahimović and Nicky Bandini reflects on Napoli's development under Gennaro Gattuso, as well as the tragic loss of their most famous son: Diego Maradona.Thanks for listening to On The Continent this year, we’ll be back with new episodes in January!Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fantasy Five-a-Side is back with a cracker! Jim is joined by YouTuber, presenter of ‘Live From London Stadium’ and host of the JaackMaate’s Happy Hour podcast, JaackMaate!Jack lures a couple of West Ham legends to the Goals pitches of Norwich - including the man known as the Lardball and the player who once had to escape a fight at a party in his boxers. It’s obviously a side oozing with class, but let’s just say the sin bin is going to be busy and the post-match drinks pretty lary.JaackMaate's Happy Hour is a Spotify Original podcast - listen here!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It seemed a strained relationship from the beginning, but Lucien Favre has finally lost his job at Dortmund. Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Lars Sivertsen are here to unpick it all on this week’s episode of On The Continent. Join us!After his sacking, we look into the cultural differences between Favre and the fevered Westfalenstadion crowd and ask whether he was ever the right fit for the club. We also check in on a pivotal week for Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid, as they close the gap on Atlético, and look at the latest twist in the broadcasting saga threatening to cripple Ligue 1 clubs.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're off to the Allsvenskan for today's 'Ramble Meets...' episode, as Andy is joined by former Milan, Feyenoord and Newcastle forward, Jon Dahl Tomasson!Andy catches up with Jon Dahl after training over in Malmö to discuss his storied playing career and impressive start to his time in management. From learning under the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Giovanni Trapattoni to perfecting his craft over nearly 700 senior appearances, Jon Dahl reminisces about his travels across Europe and how they have informed his coaching philosophy at his title-winning Malmö side.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Dotun and Andy are joined by Miguel Delaney to reflect on the biggest stories from around Europe.We begin with memories of the late great Paolo Rossi and his indelible impact on the 1982 World Cup. If Maradona made 1986 his, then '82 belongs to Rossi - who shaped his country’s destiny while also overcoming one of Brazil’s great teams.Everyone was talking about Ronaldo vs Messi this week: we take a look at this meeting of two old-timers and ask whose game is faring best in their twilight years. For all their individual brilliance, we also wonder whether they are inhibiting their clubs - tactically and in the formulation of any longer-term strategy. There’s also time to take a look at RB Leipzig and its player development model. And as clubs across the continent that are not participating in European competition flourish, we ponder whether this was the best season ever to actually not qualify.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, one of English football's most recognisable figures joins us to look back on where it all began. Kate and Jim are joined on the Book Club by former Liverpool, Spurs and England midfielder turned Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Redknapp!If there's one theme that persists throughout the stories from Jamie's young life, it's tenacity. Whether staying out in the Redknapps’ garden or at Liverpool's training ground longer than anyone else, pushing his body and talent to its limits has underpinned his whole career. Kate and Jim catch up with Jamie at his house to talk about growing up in one of English football's most recognisable football families, jostling for a seat on the Liverpool bus alongside his childhood heroes and dealing with injury setbacks.What book should we read next? Tweet us: @footballramble @kvlmason & @jimcampbellTFR***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Several Champions League groups hang delicately in the balance after the latest round of fixtures. Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and David Cartlidge are here to sift through the various runners and riders, as Real Madrid and Inter both stare down an embarrassingly early exit and Borussia Mönchengladbach look to push on.We also look over the contrasting fortunes of two European superstars, as Neymar showcased his relentless mentality for PSG while Eden Hazard sat injured on the Real Madrid bench. There’s also time for a chat about Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis who, after a promising start, now look like a side from another era.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In celebration of Diego Maradona’s life after his sad passing last week, this week's 'Ramble Meets...' guest is a man who knows his fascinating story better than most: esteemed filmmaker and 'Diego Maradona' director, Asif Kapadia.Asif sat down with Andy Brassell earlier this year to discuss how he came to direct this extraordinary film that documents Maradona’s pulsating relationship with Napoli and the people of Naples after he signed for them in 1984. They talk about the discovery of hours of unseen archive footage shot during Maradona’s time there and how Asif pieced it together to illuminate the contradiction between the charming boy 'Diego' and the erratic personality of ‘Maradona'. Asif also recounts his meetings with the great man himself, where he refused to let Diego dodge frank questions about his tumultuous time in Italy and encountered some steely responses. This episode was recorded in April 2020.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the sad news of Diego Maradona’s death, we begin today’s episode of On The Continent with a look back at his near-deistic relationship with Naples and its people, as well as his famed stint at Barcelona. Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Lars Sivertsen all take a moment to also share their favourite moments from the great man’s illustrious career.  Elsewhere, Lars gives us the lowdown on Norway’s newest league champions, Bodø/Glimt, who have capped off their fascinating rise from the lower leagues with a title win. We also look back over another chaotic week in the Champions League, as tempers fray at Inter and PSG face renewed backlash after their underwhelming win.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Dotun and Andy are joined by Nicky Bandini to bring you the biggest stories from across Europe! After Germany’s rude awakening on Tuesday night, we ask why the national team are flagging when their domestic clubs are enjoying such success and wonder whether or not Joachim Löw should return to the old guard to get things back on track. Spain look formidable, meanwhile, and Nicky explains why Alvaro Morata is showing his best again.Elsewhere, we look at Norway’s remarkable improvised squad - after they were forced to call up practically an entirely new group of players based outside of the country due to coronavirus restrictions. Plus, we explain why Sassuolo are rapidly becoming the new Atalanta in Serie A, as Roberto De Zerbi works his magic, and one of the lost talents of Italian football makes his mark.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of The Book Club, we're joined by a legend of English women's football: former Chelsea, Juventus and England striker, Eniola Aluko!Eni joins Kate and Jim in the studio to reminisce about the pivotal moments in a storied career that stretches back nearly two decades: from representing Great Britain at London 2012, to title wins in Italy and England. Eni's autobiography, 'They Don't Teach This', also documents the latter stages of her international career where the FA failed to look into her concerns surrounding racial discrimination and bullying within the England setup. We cover all of that and lots more on today's fascinating episode – join us!Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected] take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craving your European football fix? Well, look no further! Dotun Adebayo, Andy Brassell and Miguel Delaney are back for a brand new episode of On The Continent.International football brings its own unique tensions at the best of times, not least during a pandemic. We discuss the impact local restrictions have had on Italian-based players, as many try to reach their international sides’ crucial matches. Elsewhere, we look at Real Madrid’s struggles after their humbling loss at Valencia and delve into the interesting - and sometimes difficult - implications that arise for international footballers with dual nationality.Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was only one person we could send off from Haydons Road station towards the floodlights at the newly built Plough Lane in South London last week. On today’s At The Match, join Andy Brassell as he witnesses a historic moment for English football: AFC Wimbledon’s return home, after a 29-year wait.This landmark occasion was a bittersweet one, as The Dons’ first match back at the new Plough Lane couldn’t feature any fans in the stands. Andy still found loyal supporters to speak to, including former player and manager Simon Bassey who discusses his love affair with the club that stretches back over twenty years. Elsewhere, Andy Butler speaks about the team maintaining its Merton roots and fan campaigner Charlie Talbert tries to get his head around such a hectic and momentous day. Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dotun Adebayo and Andy Brassell are joined by Lars Sivertsen on today’s episode of On The Continent, as we dive into the mountain of goals from this week’s Champions League fixtures. Join us!We begin by asking why there have been so many goals this week - might the lack of fan-induced pressure in the stadiums contribute to some of these outrageous results? Elsewhere, after their humbling at Porto, we ask what’s happened to once-European champions Marseille and the manager, André Villas-Boas. Elsewhere, Der Klassiker/The Derby returns this weekend in the Bundesliga, where the David Alaba contract dispute has clouded Bayern’s otherwise crystal clear waters.Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of the Book Club on Football Ramble Presents, Kate Mason is joined by former Leicester City winger Matt Piper to discuss his celebrated autobiography Out of the Darkness, written in collaboration with FourFourTwo's Joe Brewin.After achieving a boyhood dream of playing for his hometown club, injury forced Matt to retire at just 24. But such was the mental strain Matt endured in the lead up to every match, ending his career was an overwhelming relief. He joins us - alongside Joe - to talk about his early rise and the devastating fall that followed, where the loss of Matt's football earnings, his family and any sort of purpose dragged him to rock bottom. The man who's since opened up his own academy has documented those dark times alongside Joe Brewin and penned a heartfelt and sometimes harrowing piece of football nonfiction – one which has been longlisted for this year's William Hill Sports Book Of The Year!Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With another round of Champions League action in the books, join Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge as they pore over the biggest stories from another chaotic week of European football!While Barcelona won the battle on the pitch against Juventus this week, managerial challenges still loom for both Andrea Pirlo and Ronald Koeman. We also reserve plenty of praise for two young stars who lit up the midweek fixtures as Marcus Thuram and João Félix both scored twice, before breaking down another tumultuous week for Jorge Jesus and Benfica – even Bernando Silva’s got involved!Got a question for us? Email [email protected]!Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We welcome one of English football's most influential figures to our first Ramble Meets... episode of the season, as Andy is joined by Arsenal's legendary former manager, Arsène Wenger!From his early managerial days at Nancy and Monaco, it was clear he already had a mix of relentless dedication and a honed understanding of the game. This experience, combined with a global approach to recruitment and professionalism, served him well upon his arrival at Arsenal in 1996. Arsène sits down with Andy to discuss these formative coaching years in France and how they helped inform his esteemed stint at Arsenal, as well as plenty of highlights from his time in North London. From turning down Real Madrid and Juventus to his battles with Sir Alex Ferguson, join us for some amazing stories from a man who spent over 20 years at the summit of English football.Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.