We're going to Wembley! Joe Cole and Ashley Cole take Could It Be Magic to the home of English football to discuss this season's Emirates Men's and Adobe Women's FA Cup Finals. Two-time winner Izzy Christiansen joins the lads, along with Eagles fan Dan Cook from HLTCO and Manchester City supporter and The Club presenter Buvey, to drill down into where the men's match will be won and lost: can City's defence handle Palace's front three or will there be a fairytale ending for Kevin de Bruyne? Izzy...
May 14, 2025•39 min
Premier League legend and former England striker Emile Heskey joins Joe and Ash in the studio to talk all things FA Cup, Liverpool, England — and more. He talks about Aston Villa’s FA Cup hopes, the impact of Unai Emery, and reflects on his own Cup memories — from Leicester’s late-90s success under Martin O’Neill to battles with some legendary centre backs, including Sol Campbell. Heskey, who broke through with hometown club Leicester before becoming a key part of Liverpool’s iconic 2001 treble-...
Apr 23, 2025•47 min
Joe and Ash are back in the studio with a former teammate who lit up the Premier League with his explosive, direct style. Former Chelsea, Manchester City, and QPR winger Shaun Wright-Phillips joins the lads for the latest episode of Football’s Greatest: Could It Be Magic? Shaun reveals how Mourinho’s tactical genius played out in real time with his plan to stop Ronaldo in the 2007 FA Cup final, Shaun’s first-ever cup final appearance. He opens up about the early influences that shaped his unique...
Mar 26, 2025•56 min
Joe Cole and Ashley Cole and former England defender Joleon Lescott discuss team-mates and opponents from their careers: what was the weird noise Micah Richards used to make when he was running? Who was the biggest target for heavy tackles at Manchester City? And why were Didier Drogba's studs a problem? They look ahead to the FA Cup 5th round with Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who also reveals what it was like having Gareth Southgate as his godfather. Joleon gives his thoughts on some of ...
Mar 05, 2025•51 min
Joe Cole and Ashley Cole are back to preview the FA Cup 4th round in Football's Greatest: Could It Be Magic? Nottingham Forest and England legend Stuart Pearce is their guest and they discuss his former club’s brilliant season so far. Also on the show: Which players at a top club aren’t running enough? Should Trent Alexander-Arnold stay at Liverpool or go to Real Madrid? Why are Manchester City easier to play against this season? Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards joins them to talk about their...
Feb 05, 2025•54 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Joe Cole and Ashley Cole are back with episode 2 of Football’s Greatest: Could It Be Magic? and this time they’re focussing on one of the best weekends in the football calendar - the FA Cup 3rd round. Former Tottenham, Manchester United, West Ham and England striker Teddy Sheringham is with them and reflects on his win with United in 1999 and the Hammers’ heartbreaking defeat on penalties to Liverpool in 2006. He also reveals why he’s backing Ange Postecoglu’s management at Spurs and what Manche...
Jan 08, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Ashley Cole has won the FA Cup more than any other footballer ever. 7 (SEVEN) times. Only a handful of clubs have won it more than he has, and he played for two of them. Oh, and he was also the best left back in the world. Ask CR7. Joe Cole was probably the first footballer to be known nationwide before he’d even kicked a ball professionally. A baller full of tricks, feints and skill, the kind of player who would give opponents nightmares before the match. He lifted the cup twice during his care...
Nov 27, 2024•49 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Welcome to Football's Greatest: Could It Be Magic - a new podcast with Carling, the official beer of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women's FA Cup. Join Joe Cole and Ashley Cole ahead of every round of the FA Cup this season to relive the greatest moments from years gone by and follow this season's story with special guests. The first episode drops on the FOOTBALL'S GREATEST YouTube and podcast feeds this Wednesday. Be match ready with Carling, the beer of football. 18+ Please drink responsibly. ...
Nov 25, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In the final episode of the series, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes look at some of the key players in the later years of the Fergie era. They remember the first time they came up against Cristiano Ronaldo and why he used to frustrate his team-mates, how Scholesey helped persuade Wayne Rooney to sign and why it all kicked off between Patrice Evra and some of the ground staff at Chelsea. As well as players who became legends, they look at one or two who didn't live up to expectations, why it never wo...
Nov 06, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes are back and this week they’re discussing captains: Keane, Robson, Bruce, Cantona, Adams and Shearer are some of the names that come up in the chat: Who was the best skipper they played under? What did they make of David Beckham being named England captain? And who used to say “Bring your jeans” before a team-bonding session? Along the way, they discuss what makes a great leader, how some players crumbled under rollickings from the skipper and how the presence of cert...
Oct 30, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 7
This week's episode focusses on European nights: the teams, the players, the fights and the freezing cold nights away from home. The lads discuss why they loved playing in Europe and reflect on some of the players they lined up against including Zidane, Messi, Del Piero, Seedorf and R9: What was it like to have Messi running directly at you? Which midfielder would snarl, 'Don't touch me'? And which were their favourite places to play? They recall the infamous away match at Galatasaray, the trip ...
Oct 23, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 6
This week Nicky and Paul are taking you back to 1995-96: the season of Cantona's return, grey kits, Keegan's rant and, of course, "You'll never win anything with kids". Nicky and Paul recall their reactions when they heard Hughes, Ince and Kanchelskis had been sold and how they felt after getting well beaten at Aston Villa on the opening day. They discuss Eric Cantona's comeback against Liverpool and how he got different treatment from Sir Alex, how they whittled down Newcastle's 12-point lead a...
Oct 16, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Paul and Nicky take us back to their early days as young kids trying to make it at Manchester United. They discuss whether they like the ‘Class of 92’ tag, how hard it was to make it as a young pro and what they thought of their team-mates: which player is like Benjamin Button? Who was discovered by the dad of a famous actor? And who did they consider to be the best player among them? Nicky reveals how he almost signed for another club and how an alternative career came to an abrupt end, they re...
Oct 09, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Battles. Clashes. Red cards. Respect. This week Nicky and Paul are talking about rivalries. They look back on their biggest games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Leeds and Chelsea, take us inside the tunnels at Anfield, Highbury and Elland Road and recall what it was like to play against the likes of Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira, David Batty and Dennis Wise. Which was the biggest rivalry of their careers? Which rival midfielder used to do the weirdest things on the pitch? And whic...
Oct 02, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 3
It’s episode two of Football’s Greatest Eras with Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes and this week they’re talking about the man who had a transformative effect on their lives - Sir Alex Ferguson. Nicky and Paul tell us what it was like to be managed, motivated, developed and - yes - rollicked by the great man. They also bring up a ton of memories such as: Which of them was once surprised to find Fergie waiting for them in the headmaster’s office when they were late for school? Who thought he was being...
Sep 25, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes are here to take you inside one of the most dominant periods of English football. You can expect stories about the trophies, the rivalries, the hairdryer and their team-mates throughout the series as they get candid about their time at Manchester United. Welcome to Football's Greatest Eras and where else to start but with the crowning glory for that team - the 1999 Champions League Final win over Bayern Munich. Nicky and Paul take us from their flight out to Barcelona...
Sep 18, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Football's Greatest Eras is a new podcast with Manchester United legends Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes. The pair - two Manchester lads themselves - were part of one of the most successful teams ever seen in English football, working under arguably the greatest manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson. Nicky and Paul take you deep inside the United dressing room during this period of dominance. From Ferguson’s team talks to tea cups against the wall; Roy Keane’s leadership to training ground bust-ups...
Sep 17, 2024•1 min
Great matches. Magic moments. Wonderful memories. In the latest compilation of some of the best bits from Football’s Greatest with Jeff Stelling, our guests remember some of the biggest games from their careers. James Milner talks about Liverpool’s epic comeback to beat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg in 2019. He reveals Jurgen Klopp’s inspirational words before the game, and how the Reds were able to subdue Lionel Messi and company to reach the final. Joleon Lescott reli...
Aug 20, 2024•17 min
Big moves that don’t happen. Being left out of a match day squad. Hearing you’re not good enough. Football is full of regrets and in this latest compilation episode of Football’s Greatest with Jeff Stelling, we hear some of our guests’ biggest ones from their careers. Former Australia keeper Mark Schwarzer explains how a move to Arsenal fell apart in 2010 and why it left him frustrated and upset with the Fulham manager Mark Hughes and the club’s owner. Brighton midfielder James Milner recalls ho...
Aug 13, 2024•17 min
This week’s best bits is all about some of the Premier League legends who have been discussed over the course of the Football’s Greatest series. Paul Merson recalls what it was like to play with Ian Wright, what made him such a great goalscorer and how he could also handle himself, including in the players lounge after. Joleon Lescott talks about what made Wayne Rooney such a tough opponent on the pitch, how his strength compared to Didier Drogba's and why he thinks Sir Alex Ferguson was able to...
Aug 06, 2024•18 min
Football’s Greatest continues to bring you some of the best moments from the series so far. This episode focusses on the some of our favourite stories we've heard about disagreements and rivalries. Glenn Hoddle reminisces about David Beckham’s red card against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, gives his thoughts on how their relationship was handled in the ‘Beckham’ documentary and how he feels about it all now. Matthew Le Tissier recalls his bruising encounters with Arsenal hard man Martin Keown...
Jul 30, 2024•20 min
Over the next few weeks we'll bring you some of the best moments from the Football's Greatest series so far. This episode focusses on the greatest managers. James Milner recalls the change at Liverpool from Brendan Rodgers to Jurgen Klopp, his first impressions of the German and their conversation about converting him into a full back. Gordon Strachan discusses Sir Alex Ferguson's impact at Aberdeen, his desire to win above all else, how the players were afraid to get injured because of the cons...
Jul 23, 2024•20 min
It’s the final episode of Football’s Greatest: Euros and Merse and Jeff are rounding it off with one last Q+A. They tackle questions from you like: is Declan Rice is overrated? How will Arne Slot get on at Liverpool? And did Merse really ask a team-mate to injure him so he could go to the races? They also discuss how news journalists could be ruthless, whether Sean Dyche should be on the shortlist for the England job, the Dutch revolution at Manchester United, if Aston Villa can stay in the top ...
Jul 20, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager so Merse and Jeff debate who should follow him in the top job. Graham Potter or Eddie Howe? Jose Mourinho or Jurgen Klopp? Merse picks out another contender and argues passionately why it should not be a foreign manager. They also discuss Southgate’s legacy, give their thoughts on why England lost to Spain in the Euros final, wonder if Jude Bellingham is a problem and whether Harry Kane still has a future at international level. If you want to...
Jul 16, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Arsenal legend Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling preview the Euros final: player-for-player, who has the better squad? Is Lamine Yamal the best 16 year-old footballer Merse has ever seen? Will it be seen as a failure if England don't win it? They also discuss whether Harry Kane really is, as Gary Neville suggested, the best England player ever, if Gareth Southgate is an elite football manager, how Merse enjoyed Ronald Koeman suffering at the hands of karma on Wednesday and why he thinks England make...
Jul 13, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 8
It's another Q&A with Merse and Jeff and among the questions in this episode: should Ivan Toney start for England? Who was the strongest footballer Merse played with or against? And what do they love and hate about modern football? Merse also names the clubs he would have liked to play for during his career and gives his take on Enzo Maresca and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's moves to Chelsea. If you want to get in touch and ask the guys a question, here what to do: Email: footballsgreatest@folding...
Jul 06, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 7
How come Merse is so confident England will beat the Swiss and win the Euros? Why should Gareth Southgate have no excuses for the quarter-final? And who needs to have a word with Jude Bellingham? Merse and Jeff discuss all of that plus whether the Euros have harmed Southgate's chances of landing a job with a top club, the enduring drama that is Cristiano Ronaldo, why France are dull to watch, their top 5 players of the tournament so far and whether Erling Haaland would score 60 goals in the Nati...
Jul 04, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Why did Merse leave Arsenal for Middlesbrough? Who should follow Gareth Southgate as England manager? Did Merse really once ask out Kylie Minogue? Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson answer all of these questions and more in their second Q&A on Football’s Greatest: Euros. If you want to get in touch and ask the guys a question, here what to do: Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: 0203 951 9653 (+44 203 951 9653 from outside the UK) Follow Football's Greatest and join in the deba...
Jun 29, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 5
What’s up with Bellingham? Just how fit is Harry Kane? And will Gareth Southgate finally ring the changes for the knockout stages? Jeff and Merse discuss England’s drab display against Slovenia. Merse genuinely still thinks England will win the Euros…but why? They also debate if it’s the end for Steve Clarke and Scotland, assess the other contenders, ask if Austria's good form reflects badly on Manchester United and pay respect to Luka Modric and some of the other legends at the tournament. ANNO...
Jun 27, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Questions, questions, and more questions for England and Gareth Southgate after the rotten draw with Denmark. Jeff and Merse try to find some of the answers: was it as bad as the Iceland game? Was Grealish left out so Gareth could avoid confrontation? And why was it like Subbuteo? They also discuss Scotland's draw with the Swiss, which Euros manager is like a surfer boy and how you reset a broken nose. Jeff also reveals his top 5 moments from his trip to Germany and which food left him feeling t...
Jun 21, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 3
