Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sits down exclusively with BBC Sports Editor Dan Roan. They discuss his ‘challenging’ first year at the club, manager Ruben Amorim, the club’s finances, ticket price rises, his cost-cutting programme, plans for a new stadium and more. Find more on this interview across the BBC Sport website and app and watch the conversation on BBC iPlayer. BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this week: Tue 11 Mar 2000 Liverpool v PSG in the Champions League, Wed 12 Mar ...
Mar 10, 2025•38 min
Clive Myrie tells the football story of the century: the rise of Manchester City and the Premier League allegations of financial rule-breaking that threaten to bring the club crashing down. Football on Trial is a Tortoise Media production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live.
Mar 09, 2025•26 min
Dion Dublin visits Coventry City's training ground to speak with manager Frank Lampard. The Sky Blues find themselves 5th in the Championship, with eight wins in their last nine games, having been 17th in the table when Lampard took charge. He talks about benefiting from 18 months out of management, his previous jobs, his time at Coventry so far and ambitions for the final 11 games of the season.
Mar 08, 2025•22 min
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
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
John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and Rafa Honigstein for the first Euro Leagues of 2025. They discuss the match they are most looking forward to and highlight players you should keep an eye on in 2025. From Omar Marmoush at Eintracht Frankfurt to the young Argentine flourishing at Como, they pick out players who could be set for a big move, those on the cusp of great things and a couple of youngsters making big strides. They also pick out something that they are looking ...
Jan 02, 2025•40 min
Ali Bruce-Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis present a selection box of stories from life as 5 Live commentators. From getting a wasp in the mouth mid-commentary, to getting in trouble with Kenny Dalglish and Tony Pulis, they tell the tales you don't normally get to hear.
Dec 27, 2024•31 min
Neil Warnock joins Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff for a festive Christmas treat and to look back on some of his favourite memories in football. From bowling and chiropody, to Chris Morgan and Adel Taarabt, Neil Warnock lifts the lid on some of his funniest and memorable stories. He talks about what Christmas is like in the Warnock household and looks back at almost 60 years in football. Plus, find out if Yorkshire puddings are on Neil Warnock’s Christmas dinner!
Dec 24, 2024•56 min
Jonathan Sutherland travels to Naples to speak to two Scots who are starring in Serie A. Napoli's Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour chat to Jonathan about adapting to life in Italy, their relationship with Antonio Conte and following in the footsteps of Diego Maradona. McTominay also opens up on his decision to leave Manchester United, while Gilmour discusses swapping Brighton for Naples. BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend: Sat 21 Dec, 1500: West Ham v Brighton on 5 Liv...
Dec 21, 2024•34 min
