Ian Dennis is back with John Murray & Ali Bruce-Ball to tell the stories behind the 5 Live commentaries. From John’s fancy food at PSG to seeing ‘episcopal purple’ in Notre-Dame. It’s Ian vs John in a Liverpool-themed Clash of the Commentators. And what will make it into the Great Glossary of Football Commentary? 04:00 Ali gets glasses & football lookalikes 06:50 Using visual identifiers when players look similar 13:30 ‘Smash and grab’ for the Great Glossary? 18:40 Ian sees eight goals i...
Mar 07, 2025•57 min
Steve Crossman is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and James Horncastle to discuss the latest from the world of European football. They dissect the biggest storylines from this week's Champions League action, focusing on the performances of goalkeepers including Alisson Becker, who played a key role in Liverpool's win at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The podcast moves on to the derby knockout clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, before considering ...
Mar 06, 2025•45 min
Alisson’s “best performance of his life” helped Liverpool to a stunning 1-0 win at Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League. Where does that leave both sides heading into the second leg at Anfield? Mark Chapman, commentator John Murray and former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock review the action, and break down Alisson’s outstanding display. Journalist and broadcaster Archie Rhind-Tutt joins the podcast from the Allianz Arena after Bayern Munich’s thrashing of German rivals Bayer Leverkuse...
Mar 06, 2025•29 min
Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by West Brom’s Jed Wallace. They discuss Guardiola’s comments on the FA Cup ball and whether pitches are the real problem in the EFL. Jed lifts the lid on life under Tony Mowbray at West Brom and reveals whether ketchup has returned to the canteen. And could League One leaders Birmingham be set for a slide? 01:30 Jed Wallace on the mend 06:10 Guardiola making excuses about the FA Cup ball? 08:40 Are pitches the real problem in the EFL? 12:15 Jed’s West Brom...
Mar 05, 2025•50 min
Arsenal and Aston Villa both achieved great victories away from home in the first legs of their last-16 ties in the Champions League. Mikel Arteta's side thumped PSV Eindhoven 7-1, while Villa beat Club Brugge 3-1 in Belgium. Kelly Cates presents reaction to both games, with Senior Football Reporter Ian Dennis alongside Chris Sutton at the Philips Stadion. Former England midfielder Andros Townsend also joins to provide his insight, before the podcast concludes by looking ahead to Wednesday night...
Mar 05, 2025•30 min
Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines examine whether the WSL could remove relegation as a way of expanding the division. They're joined by BBC Sport's Emma Sanders to explain the proposals that are under consideration. They also look at two days of managerial departures in the WSL, with Liverpool and Crystal Palace both changing their head coaches. TIMECODES 00:14 Ellen White and her legacy cap 04:10 A dramatic return for the WSL 11:25 What next for Liverpool after Matt Beard's departure 18:2...
Mar 04, 2025•39 min
John Bennett presents a preview to the Champions League Last 16 first legs. Rory Smith and Nedum Onuoha join John as the Champions League RO16 first legs approach. Aston Villa travel to Club Brugge with January signings Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford in fine form. A tie against Liverpool or PSG would await Unai Emery if Villa can get past the Belgian Pro League side. With a 13-point gap between league-leaders Liverpool and Arsenal, the Champions League is now Mikel Arteta’s last realistic cha...
Mar 03, 2025•47 min
Darren Fletcher is joined by Paul Robinson and Nigel Reo-Coker. Also hear from Ruben Amorim, Marco Silva, Oliver Glasner and Paul Heckingbottom as the panel reflect on the FA Cup fifth round. From holders Manchester United crashing out and THAT challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta, to a likely cup final suspension for Anthony Gordon and a seven-minute VAR delay at Bournemouth, there is plenty to discuss. 04:10 Holders Man Utd are out 18:00 THAT challenge on Mateta 25:00 Gordon set to miss League Cu...
Mar 02, 2025•50 min
Peter Drury goes behind the microphone with John Murray and Alistair Bruce-Ball. He talks through his early days as a 5 Live football commentator, his relationship with words and how he thinks he may have put the commentator’s curse on Manchester United! Also Peter goes head-to-head with John Murray in a heavyweight Clash of the Commentators. And clarification on the Great Glossary criteria! 03:45 Peter’s route into the industry 05:50 Peter’s first radio commentary 11:30 Peter’s broadcasting ins...
Feb 28, 2025•58 min
Wolves forward Matheus Cunha welcomes Kelly Somers to the club for a sit-down, where he talks about life in the Premier League, battling relegation and his aspirations on the international scene with Brazil.
Feb 22, 2025•32 min
John Murray and Alistair Bruce-Ball are joined by Chris Coles to talk commentary life. From keeping warm with Oliver Glasner to cringey early commentary moments, there are plenty of stories to be told. And Giulia Bould from BBC Radio Merseyside lifts the lid on the new Everton Stadium and reveals what ‘The Commentators’ View’ will be on Bramley-Moore Dock. 03:15 Taking the Local Radio route 04:40 First games working at football 10:45 Oliver Glasner jumper-watch 12:45 Painting the pictures in com...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr
West Ham boss Graham Potter speaks with Kelly Somers after a month in charge at the club. Potter took the West Ham job after nearly two years out of management, following his sacking at Chelsea in April 2023. In this chat he talks about being able to focus on his family for the first time in 12 years, how things ended at Chelsea and where he thinks he can take West Ham.
Feb 15, 2025•20 min
John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball tell the tales you don’t normally get to hear. Hear Ian’s story about his ‘clanger’ at Leeds United, Clash of the Commentators breaks new ground as Ali and Ian go head-to-head. And the panel also reflect on Champions League drama, Merseyside madness and tough times for Tottenham and Manchester United. Plus, voicenotes are now being accepted for the ‘Great Glossary of Football Commentary’! 02:55 To sit or to stand? 04:40 ‘Intense’ week for John &...
Feb 14, 2025•48 min
Martin Geissler investigates Vladimir Romanov’s rise from Soviet submarine cook to millionaire football club owner and fugitive in a gripping tale of ambition, power, and chaos. With First hand testimonies from those that were there, Martin will hear just how Vlad made his money, came to power in Edinburgh and shocked Scottish football before discovering how it all went wrong, leaving Romanov penniless and a wanted man.
Feb 12, 2025•36 min
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds. Vincent Kompany is one of European football’s most exciting young managers – so exciting, he got handed the keys to German giants Bayern Munich, the season after relegating Burnley from the Premier League to the Championship. It’s a strange trajectory, and at the time, his appointment in Munich raised more than a few eyebrows. How had Kompany gone from relegation to one of Europe’s biggest, most historic clubs? Was it because he was a student of Pep Guar...
Feb 10, 2025•57 sec
John Murray and Ian Dennis are joined by Jacqui Oatley to lift the lid on life behind the microphone. Jacqui reveals how she got into football media and the pressure that came with being the first female commentator. Jacqui takes on John in a one-off Clash of the Commentators exhibition match. Will any of Jacqui’s Americanisms make the Great Glossary of Football Commentary? And rugby union correspondent Chris Jones joins the pod to talk about commentating at the Six Nations. 04:45 How Jacqui got...
Feb 07, 2025•59 min
John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and James Horncastle. How has Cristiano Ronaldo elongated his career? The Portuguese striker is still scoring in Saudi Arabia so a former Manchester United performance coach tells us how he’s done it. Which team in Europe was the busiest in the January transfer window? Which winter window buys could prove a win for the buying clubs? They discuss Mathys Tel and Rennes' deadline-day dash. Also, is Ousmane Dembele finally fulfilling his pote...
Feb 04, 2025•44 min
Alan Shearer makes the short trip to Newcastle United's training ground to speak to in-form striker Alexander Isak. The Swedish international explains why he's been scoring so many goals this season. He discusses his journey in football and how he grew up watching Spanish football. He sheds light on his future plans in football, short term and long term and where he sees Newcastle finishing this season.
Feb 01, 2025•31 min
Gary Lineker visits Liverpool's training ground Melwood to speak with manager Arne Slot. The Liverpool manager talks about his success at the club so far since taking charge from Jurgen Klopp in the summer. He praises the former Liverpool boss for how he left the club. Slot also discusses the difficulty of being away from his family in the Netherlands and the similarities between his former club Feyenoord and Liverpool.
Jan 31, 2025•32 min
John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball lift the lid on life as 5 Live commentators. They reflect on the table-watching drama of the final round of Champions League and Europa League games. There’s off-field controversy. Who will go top of the table in Clash of the Commentators? And Ali’s Shrewsbury story finally gets told. 00:45 John’s trip to the dentist 04:00 Striking pre-match displays 07:30 All eyes on the table, not the match? 15:00 Man City/Celtic vs Bayern Munich/Real Madrid 18:3...
Jan 31, 2025•53 min
Dion Dublin visits Old Trafford to chat with Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt. The 25-year-old talks about United’s season so far since Ruben Amorim took charge at the club, and where there is room for improvement. He opens up on the success of his career so far, having started out at Ajax, where he reached the Champions League semi-final in 2018 and then his big money moves to Juventus and Bayern Munch.
Jan 25, 2025•25 min
5 Live commentators John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball tell the stories you don’t normally get to hear. From the delights on offer at the Parc des Princes to Ian getting called out by Gareth Southgate for his dinner party getup. Gigi Salmon and Russell Fuller reveal what it’s like commentating at the Australian Open tennis. And can Ali go level at the top with John in Clash of the Commentators? 00:30 Ali’s Monaco memories 09:10 Champions League snakes & ladders 12:30 John’s Pari...
Jan 24, 2025•58 min
Real Madrid are the most successful team in the history of the Champions League/European Cup with 15 titles. But how have they achieved this? Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague explore Real's relationship with the competition, looking at their early dominance in the late 1950s, through to their six triumphs since 2014. We hear from former players Clarence Seedorf and Sami Khedira on what makes Real Madrid so special. And former coach Paul Clement joins the pod to give us insight into current hea...
Jan 18, 2025•45 min
Gary Lineker invites Brentford manager Thomas Frank round his house for a chat and spot of lunch The Danish manager talks about the journey he's taken the club on, becoming only the Brentford head coach or manager to achieve promotion to the top-flight of English football.
Jan 18, 2025•22 min
Darren Fletcher is joined by Football Correspondent John Murray, Manchester United journalist Andy Mitten, and former Scotland international Joe Jordan to remember the life and career of Manchester United & Scotland legend Denis Law – the only Scottish player to also have won the Ballon d'Or.
Jan 17, 2025•29 min
5 Live commentators John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball answer listener questions. From John’s Cyprus underpants story to Ali’s old pet Betsy the beagle causing mischief. Plus the panel react to Erling Haaland signing a new 10-year deal with Manchester City. And will Ali’s losing streak continue in Clash of the Commentators? 02:10 Did John avoid the pigeons at Tamworth? 05:50 Commentary boxes behind glass. 13:10 TCV goes international! 17:25 John’s Cyprus underpants story. 24:30 Will...
Jan 17, 2025•48 min
After Erling Haaland signs a new long-term deal with Manchester City club - listen back to when the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer Alan Shearer met with the striker on the eve of his debut season back in 2022. Haaland talks about the relationship with his father, and wanting to be a better player than him from a really young age. He says he has the ability to improve ‘everything’ in his game, and highlights the importance of meditation to his game. The original version of this podca...
Jan 17, 2025•17 min
John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball present an FA Cup Special. They discuss the magic of the FA Cup, from giant killings to pigeon-infested commentary positions. Has the schedule taken away some its allure? Who has the best non-league knowledge in Clash of the Commentators? And where does everyone most look forward to going? 01:00 Magic of the FA Cup 02:55 The schedule 05:55 How Sean Dyche’s sacking affected Ali’s prep 09:30 VAR from a commentator’s perspective 14:40 Tunnel interview...
Jan 10, 2025•54 min
From Paris, to Bolton – Premier League legend Jay-Jay Okocha sits down with Dion Dublin in this Football Daily special. The former Nigeria international opens up about that move from Paris Saint-Germain to the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers. He chats to Dion about adapting to life in England, his relationship with Sam Allardyce and his determination to prove himself in the Premier League.
Jan 04, 2025•22 min
5 Live commentators John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball answer listener questions. From how they got into football to how they relax while on the road, and which are the coldest/warmest grounds in the country? And can Ian finally get a win under his belt in Clash of the Commentators? 02:15 Ali talks about presenting on the radio 06:10 John’s Christmas travel troubles 12:40 Why did they get into football? 19:20 How do they relax while traveling? 24:30 Do they listen back to their comm...
Jan 03, 2025•53 min
