In the final episode of the mini-series on How To Win The Champions League, we hear from two-time winner Jose Mourinho. He talks us through his victories with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, as well as some of his near-misses at Real Madrid Mourinho explains why the competition is so important to him and how he built relationships with some of Europe's leading players over the past two decades. A BBC iPlayer documentary accompanies this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002...
Apr 15, 2025•37 min
Steve Crossman is alongside Chris Sutton, former England captain Steph Houghton, and The Athletic’s Adam Crafton discuss whether Ruben Amorim’s call to drop Andre Onana backfired after Altay Bayindir’s performance in Manchester United’s loss at Newcastle. Do Liverpool really need a succession plan for their goalkeeper Allison? Giorgi Mamardashvili is joining the club from Valencia this summer, and will a right back follow him through the door? Or do Arne Slot’s side recruit from within after the...
Apr 14, 2025•52 min
Newcastle thump Man Utd, Chelsea slip up & Kevin De Bruyne inspires Man City. Darren Fletcher, Clinton Morrison & Nigel Reo-Coker react to the Premier League weekend. Newcastle's 4-1 win over Manchester United pushes Eddie Howe's side up to fourth in the Premier League. The Magpies now sit just a point off Nottingham Forest in third but have a game in hand on their rivals. Hear from both Jason Tindall and Ruben Amorim. Chelsea failed to capitalise on Forest's home defeat to Everton, only...
Apr 13, 2025•43 min
Anthony Elanga chats to Dion Dublin about life at Nottingham Forest, working under Nuno Espirito Santo and the secret to Forest's consistency. He also discusses moving to England at 11, his development at Manchester United and his hopes of playing in the Champions League with Forest. Topics: 00:15 - Early years in Malmo 02:41 - Moving to England at 11and signing for Manchester United 06:36 - Moving to Nottingham Forest and personal development 10:15 - Working under Nuno Espirito Santo 12:09 - Th...
Apr 12, 2025•24 min
Conor McNamara joins John Murray & Ian Dennis to talk commentary life as Mo Salah signs Liverpool deal. John reveals how he ended up in a French ambulance in midweek. Conor reflects on nearly getting stuck on his way to replace John in Paris. And Ian talks through his memorable line, ‘Rice Rice baby’. All that plus a tasty Clash of the Commentators and more additions to the Great Glossary of Football Commentary. E-mail: [email protected] Voicenotes on WhatsApp to: 08000 289 369 01:45 Mo Salah si...
Apr 11, 2025•51 min
What next for Andre Onana and Manchester United after his mistakes against Lyon? And how did Rangers show the spirit to hold on against Athletic Bilbao? Conor McNamara, Izzy Christensen and Aaron Lennon look back on an entertaining night in the opening legs of the Europa League quarter finals. We hear from Ruben Amorim on Onana’s performance, and Ange Postecoglou says “the football gods have their eyes elsewhere” after their 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. TIMECODES 0’55 How does Andre ...
Apr 10, 2025•24 min
John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, James Horncastle and Kristof Terreur. They unpick the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final ties. Guillem explains why Barcelona are finally over the Lionel Messi era and ask whether there is any chance of a sensational comeback by Real Madrid against Arsenal. The team debate why Inter Milan perhaps deserve more credit than they get and explain who could be PSG’s answer to Mohamed Salah? And with Kevin De Bruyne leaving Manchester City, Kristo...
Apr 10, 2025•36 min
It will take something special for Aston Villa to make it through to the Champions League semi-finals after a 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their quarter-final in the French capital. Mark Chapman hosts reaction to the match, with Conor McNamara and Paul Robinson inside the Parc des Princes. Former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin also joins, along with French football expert Julien Laurens. The podcast also features post-match reaction from Villa boss Unai Emery, defender ...
Apr 09, 2025•31 min
Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by Colchester’s Lyle Taylor. He dishes the dirt on the club shower gel rota. Hear from Chris Wilder after Sheffield United suffer defeats in the Championship promotion race. What about Bristol City’s rise and Blackburn’s bad run? Catch up with Birmingham boss Chris Davies after sealing League One promotion, and hear from Darren Ferguson ahead of the Peterborough-Birmingham EFL Trophy final. And Aaron’s patience finally pays off in Fantasy EFL. 02:35 Lyle re...
Apr 09, 2025•43 min
Kelly Cates is alongside the BBC’s Senior Football Reporter Ian Dennis & former Arsenal and West Ham defender Matthew Upson at the Emirates Stadium, as well as former Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, for analysis of Arsenal’s thumping victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. They discuss Declan Rice’s two incredible freekicks, the electric atmosphere inside the Emirates, and whether the tie is already over. Harry Symeou, presenter of The Chroni...
Apr 09, 2025•34 min
Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines react to England losing 3-2 away to Belgium in the second of their double header in the Nations League. England went 3-1 behind in the first half with 19 year old Michelle Agyemang scoring a sensational goal on her senior debut 41 seconds after coming on the pitch to make it 3-2. Hear from manager Sarina Wiegman as she reflects on her teams performance and what went wrong. Elsewhere Wales got a good draw away to Sweden while Scotland capitulated against Ge...
Apr 08, 2025•36 min
After the Manchester Derby turned into a damp squib, Mark Chapman, Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and Michael Brown discuss whether over-coaching, micro-management and a fear making mistakes has become an "illness in the game". They also ask why derbies have seemingly lost their spark. And after Ivan Juric left Southampton following their relegation, Glen de la Cour from the Total Saints podcast joins the MNC to discuss where the Saints go from here. Topics: 03:14 - What next for Southampton? 12:40 - ...
Apr 07, 2025•55 min
Manchester derby falls flat, Fulham shock Liverpool & Southampton are relegated. Darren Fletcher is joined by Clinton Morrison and Michael Brown to react to the Premier League weekend. Also hear from Pep Guardiola, Marco Silva, Ivan Juric and Ange Postecoglou. 03:25 Manchester derby falls flat 06:05 Guardiola: ‘My players moved too much’ 13:20 Which Manchester club has had the more disappointing season? 16:20 Fulham shock leaders Liverpool 18:10 Marco Silva: ‘We are there, we have to fight’ ...
Apr 06, 2025•49 min
In the latest episode of our mini-series on how to win the Champions League, Andy Robertson and Alisson look back on Liverpool’s win in the 2019 edition. They talk us through the dramatic run through the group stages and the iconic semi-final comeback against Barcelona. We get insight into how Jurgen Klopp inspired his team to win the tournament, why he was a father-figure to the squad and what it was like to receive a Klopp hug. They also explain why it was so emotional on the pitch after the f...
Apr 05, 2025•29 min
Are England showing the ruthlessness they need ahead of this summer’s Euros? Alistair Bruce-Ball presents reaction to the Lionesses’ 5-nil demolition of Belgium in the Nations League. Former England keeper Karen Bardsley offers her analysis on the strength in depth England are developing, and the ongoing battle between Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton to be first choice in goal. We hear from Sarina Wiegman, and goalscorers Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones, both of whom scored their first England ...
Apr 04, 2025•29 min
John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball talk commentary life. From Ian’s penchant for pies at Celtic to whether the ‘dull’ Premier League should have play-offs to make it more interesting. One listener sets a new record for clubs with a slash in their names, and there’s a whole heap of controversy in a Clash of the Commentators basement battle. Plus, BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty joins for the Great Glossary of Football Commentary. 02:55 Who ate all the pies? 05:40 Would Arse...
Apr 04, 2025•54 min
Steve Crossman is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and James Horncastle to delve into this week’s top European football stories. The Arminia Bielefeld captain, Mael Corboz, joins the pod as his side shocked Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday to reach the German DFB Pokal Cup final. There’s also an appearance from Max Aarons, who’s on loan at Valencia from Bournemouth. He tells us about his decision to move to Spain and how he feels about his home club having such a great season. Plus, the team...
Apr 03, 2025•38 min
Should James Tarkowski have been sent off in Liverpool’s 100th Merseyside derby win? Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock joins Steve Crossman and correspondent John Murray inside Anfield to discuss Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Everton which left them needing 13 points from their remaining Premier League games in order to lift the title. They discuss the controversial moments of the game – should James Tarkowski have received a red card for his challenge, and should Diogo Jota’s goal have been ...
Apr 02, 2025•32 min
Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by West Brom’s Jed Wallace. He reveals the dressing room shower gel rota and whether he brought birthday cake into training. Plus the important stuff as Leeds are knocked off the top of the Championship – what do they do about their goalkeeper Meslier? Jed is ‘frustrated’ in the play-off race. Wage problems at Sheffield Wednesday and the clock is ticking at Reading. Plus, could Port Vale be making a late charge in League Two? All that and some interesting h...
Apr 02, 2025•49 min
Kelly Cates is alongside senior football reporter Ian Dennis, former Brighton and Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray and former Nottingham Forest midfielder Andy Reid to bring reaction from a night of Premier League action. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta joins the pod as Bukayo Saka scores seven minutes after returning to playing for Arsenal, having had 101 days out injured. You’ll also hear from Saka’s teammate Gabriel Martinelli as Arsenal move to nine points behind league-leaders Liverpool, af...
Apr 01, 2025•32 min
Ellen White and Ben Haines are down at St Georges Park catching up with Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze and Lauren James. Lucy and Lauren give an insight into their relationship on the pitch and how being at Chelsea under Sonia Bompastor has helped both their games. They share what it’s like heading into the Euros and how important every camp is from now until the summer. The team also discuss what it was like in those back to back games against City and how that prepares them for their double header agai...
Apr 01, 2025•40 min
Have the FA Cup quarter-finals shown the importance of the competition? Mark Chapman is joined by Rory Smith, Chris Sutton and Monday Night Club debutant Joe Hart to discuss the weekend’s FA Cup action. They look at why the FA Cup is so important for so many teams, and discuss the benefits of a range of teams lifting the trophy. Former Crystal Palace player and coach Shaun Derry drops by to discuss his former club’s remarkable run to the semi final as they reach their second FA Cup semi final in...
Mar 31, 2025•52 min
Darren Fletcher is joined by Michael Brown & Nigel Reo-Coker to react to the FA Cup quarter-finals and the semi-final draw. Hear from Aston Villa’s Marcus Rashford as he ends his four-month goal drought. Also catch up with Birmingham boy Jacob Ramsey and Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates. Pep Guardiola is in an interesting mood for his post-match interview. And who do the guys think will make the final? 01:30 Michael Brown reveals his salty commentary preparation 04:10 Marcus Rashford bac...
Mar 30, 2025•51 min
Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze speaks exclusively to Alex Scott about her experience being autistic and living with ADHD. Lucy's mum, Diane, had long suspected she may be autistic, but it wasn't until four years ago that Bronze was officially diagnosed as being autistic and living with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Lucy has had outstanding success as a footballer, both at home and abroad, and during this chat she tells Alex how being neurodivergent has impacted her l...
Mar 29, 2025•27 min
What would winning the FA Cup mean to Bournemouth? And how has Andoni Iraola inspired such a positive season? The Bournemouth head coach sits down with Guillem Balague to talk through his career, his time at the Vitality Stadium And ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City, he explains how he prepares to face a side managed by Pep Guardiola. TIMECODES 04:30 Not winning any of his first nine matches 17:20 Manchester City and the FA Cup quarter-final 23:00 Why winning the FA Cup i...
Mar 28, 2025•34 min
The trio are back together as John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball talk commentary life. Expect more football lookalikes, a tight Clash of the Commentators and which football terms will make it into the Great Glossary of Football Commentary? 04:35 More clubs with a slash in their name 07:50 The famous ‘One team in Tallinn’ match 11:20 Another soundalike to test your ears 17:15 An update on the Golden Mic goal ratios 20:05 Ali explains his ‘Bruce-Burglar’ nickname 25:00 Ian looking forwar...
Mar 28, 2025•52 min
Eleanor Oldroyd presents reaction from Stamford Bridge alongside Gilly Flaherty, Rachel Corsie and Jonathan Pearce as Chelsea overturn a first-leg deficit to beat Manchester City and reach the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League. Hear from Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor and Manchester City interim boss Nick Cushing. Plus a look back on Arsenal's stirring comeback win at the Emirates against Real Madrid on Wednesday, with reaction from striker Alessia Russo who scored twice. And the pane...
Mar 28, 2025•24 min
Who keeps four turtles in their fridge? And who is the two-metre Messi? John Bennett is joined by Julien Laurens, Rafa Honigstein and Mina Rzouki for some interesting chat about European football and so much more. The team discuss a novel approach to match coverage in French broadcasting. Have Germany unearthed a new number nine? Do Italy have an identity under Luciano Spaletti? And have France filled the gap left by the retirement of Antoine Griezmann? Plus – were Juventus right to sack Thiago ...
Mar 27, 2025•39 min
Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by former Shrewsbury & Wycombe defender Joe Jacobson. They react to Gareth Ainsworth leaving Shrewsbury for Gillingham. BBC Radio Shropshire sports editor Nick Southall joins the pod for that. Hear from Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson on the fight for second in League One. What about the crunch takeover deadline at Reading? And with eight games to go in the Championship, it’s the start of the run-in! 02:45 Gareth Ainsworth leaves Shrewsbury for Gillingham 0...
Mar 26, 2025•47 min
Sir Kenny Dalglish, Chris Sutton and Alan Shearer are among the guests as Kelly Cates looks back on Blackburn's famous title win in 1995. Midfielder Mark Atkins explains how the club was rejuvenated by owner Jack Walker's investment, while Rob Coar, then club chairman, gives the view from the boardroom. And is it fair to say the club bought the title? Football finance expert Kieran Maguire goes through the figures. TIMECODES 10:00 Mark Atkins on Blackburn's redevelopment; 15:20 Alan Shearer on h...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 14 min
