The Rest Is Football

Is there a new offside rule coming and what do Gary and Alan make of Arsene Wenger’s proposals to improve the game? Plus, what are the funniest nicknames in football? Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester United beat rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup Final, Gary and Alan respond to criticism they received over the interview with Erik Ten Hag and the guys review Southampton’s Playoff Final win against Leeds. Gary, Micah and Alan also discuss Chelsea’s sacking of Mauricio Pochettino and Vincent Kompany’s move to Bayern Munich  Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why was Kasper not at Jamie Vardy’s house to watch Leicester win the Premier League? What impact did being one of the first on the scene at the helicopter crash that killed Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha have on his life? How did growing up with the likes of Eric Cantona, Steve Bruce and his father Peter give him a burning desire to succeed that was unmatched by his peers? Gary is joined by Premier League and FA Cup winner Kasper Schmeichel to discuss his incredible life in football so far and how Denmark are planning to stop England at the Euros. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who makes it into Gary and Alan’s team of the season? Who was the ‘Rookie of the Year’? Who was the surprise package of this season? After the conclusion of the 2023/24 Premier League season, Gary and Alan pick the winners of the hugely prestigious The Rest Is Football awards. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How much longer will Pep Guardiola stay at Man City? Will Phil Foden end his career as one of the all-time Premier League greats? What do Arsenal need to do to improve yet again next season? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss Jurgen Klopp and the legacy he leaves at Liverpool. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With clubs now set to vote on VAR for next year, should it be scrapped completely? What chance do Arsenal have of winning the league on the final day? Who will claim the final European places for next season? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the mentality of the players and fans at Spurs after a bizarre week for the club. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should we bring back the tradition of England squads releasing a song before the Euros and World Cup? How do national teams keep themselves amused when they’re away for five or six weeks at major tournaments? Why did Micah’s shower routine have Gary and Alan in fits of giggles? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss how they would have got on playing in each other’s positions. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is this really the worst Man United team in Alan’s lifetime? Why have this season’s promoted teams been so poor? Would a 6th place finish be a good season for Chelsea? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss how Pep Guardiola would do if he was the manager of a team at the bottom of the league. Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was it a mistake to substitute Harry Kane in Bayern Munich’s Champions League defeat? Would you rather have Vinicius Junior or Kylian Mbappe in your side? Will a Premier League spending cap work better than the current Profitability and Sustainability Rules? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss David Moyes’ upcoming departure from West Ham and whether he has been harshly treated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do the co-commentators get to pick the Man of the Match and how do they judge it? How much do players worry about pundits giving them stick after matches? Where did Micah enjoy partying in his early twenties? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss where George Best ranks on the list of Britain’s best ever footballers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will there be any more slip-ups in the title race or will Man City produce the perfect finish? Have teams now worked out Ange-Ball? How will Ipswich fare in the Premier League next season after back-to-back promotions? Gary, Alan and Micah also reignite the debate around Rodri and Declan Rice and which one you would prefer to have in your team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did the first edition newspapers after Man United’s treble success agitate Sir Alex Ferguson? What was it like ghostwriting Steven Gerrard’s autobiography? How do we protect the football pyramid in England and ensure the game isn’t run in the interests of only a handful of clubs? Gary, Alan and Micah are joined by leading journalist Henry Winter to talk about the importance of high-quality sports journalism and the privilege of being able to tell people’s stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would you rather have Paul Gascoigne or Wayne Rooney in your side? What was it like when you were on the receiving end of Duncan Ferguson’s wrath? Which question led Micah to plead the fifth to avoid incriminating himself? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate which players from England’s Euro ’96 team would get in the current England side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Arsenal go on and win all their remaining games? What exactly is happening between Jurgen Klopp and Mo Salah? How did Gary manage to compare himself to Lionel Messi? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss Erik Ten Hag’s quotes about United being “one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in the league at this moment”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What made Sir Alex Ferguson and Kevin Keegan’s managerial styles so different? What’s the secret to scoring lots of goals at the top level? Why does no-one want to play as a genuine Number 9 any more? Gary and Alan are joined by Andrew Cole as he talks about the favourite goal he ever scored, the Treble celebrations in Barcelona and his partnerships with Peter Beardsley and Dwight Yorke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did Gazza show his ingenuity with a fishy prank during his time at Rangers? Why was Faustino Asprilla such a great character in the dressing room? Did Emmanuel Adebayor plan his notorious goal celebration against Arsenal at the Etihad? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate whether the Premier League is the best league in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is there any way Erik Ten Hag will still be Manchester United manager next season? Were Nottingham Forest right to make their statement criticising the officials after losing to Everton? Where does Unai Emery sit in the race to be named manager of the season? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate whether the intensity of football matches is higher now than decades ago, as the argument around the football schedule continues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do Man City and Arsenal bounce back from Champions League disappointment? Are the FA right to scrap Cup replays next season? Will Cole Palmer be starting for England at the Euros this summer? Gary, Alan and Micah also predict who will make the Champions League final. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should clubs be allowed to pay agents directly? Would Rúben Amorim be a good fit if he took over at Liverpool next season? What advice would our trio give to parents of youngsters getting into the game? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the hardest role in sports broadcasting. Is it the presenter, pundit, commentator or co-commentator? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the Premier League title now Man City’s to lose? Is Alexander Isak the second best striker in the league? Can Bayer Leverkusen go the whole season unbeaten in all competitions? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the Championship promotion race with all three sides at the top stumbling to the finish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Real Madrid hosted Manchester City in a 6 goal Champions League Classic, did the referee make the right calls in a controversial game at the Emirates and why scrapping away goals has benefited the Champions League Knockout Stage  Gary, Alan & Micah look back at a thrilling couple days of Champions League Football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you celebrate being given a Nando’s black card? What have Gary and Alan done with the hat-trick balls they picked up during their careers? Who gave Micah his notorious nickname and where did it come from? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the toll professional football takes on family life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did Liverpool not come away from Old Trafford with all three points? After Ollie Watkins comments, what exactly is big-team mentality and how do you get it? Who will win the Scottish Premiership after a dramatic Old Firm Derby? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the impact European matches are going to have on the Premier League title race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Liverpool captain joins Gary and Micah on The Rest Is Football. He discusses the Klopp Factor, that Champions League Triumph & how Liverpool can win the league. What makes Jurgen Klopp so special? And how did Virgil and his teammates celebrate winning the Champions League in 2019. Plus what do Liverpool need to do to win the Premier League this year? Virgil Van Dijk was speaking exclusively to The Rest Is Football at the launch of this year’s McDonald’s Fun Football programme, which aims to encourage participation in the sport through free coaching sessions for children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happened to Gary on the Tube last week? Kobbie Mainoo bursting on the scene & The Lads play Start, Bench and Sell with Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe Gary, Alan & Micah also look back at what they miss most from playing football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal hold Man City to a goalless draw at the Etihad and stay above them in the Premier League, Liverpool come back from behind to go 2 points clear at the top, and Newcastle beat West Ham in dramatic fashion in the game of the weekend. Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the rest of the Easter fixtures in a wild weekend of Premier League action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why is Anfield such a fortress? Are European nights really that extra bit special? Will Jurgen Klopp get the perfect Premier League send-off in his final season with the club? Gary and Micah are at Anfield recording a special episode of the podcast and take the chance to also reflect on their individual records at one of the countries most famous stadiums. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Which is the best England shirt that’s ever been made? In light of Ben White turning down an England call up, is it ever right to pick club over country? What is the best starting midfield trio for England? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the potential role AI could play in football in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do England need to be less pragmatic if they want to win a major trophy? Has Anthony Gordon played his way onto the plane this summer? Is it dangerous to write off Germany at the Euros? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss Wales emphatic victory against Finland and their upcoming winner-takes-all match against Poland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What did Peter Beardsley do to impress George Best so much he got him a trial at Man United? How did Kenny Dalglish use shadows to make himself a better player? What was it like playing against the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff? Gary, Alan and Micah are joined by special guest Peter Beardsley to relive the best stories from his life in football and settle the big debate - who was the better strike partner, Alan or Gary? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happened when Paul Gascoigne took an ostrich to training at Spurs? Where does Dennis Bergkamp rate in the list of the Premier League’s greatest players? Who was the best right back - Gary Neville or Kyle Walker? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss players that would smoke on matchday and how that’s still going on today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was that Man United’s best performance of the season? Can Pochettino silence his critics after getting booed at Stamford Bridge? Will Coventry fancy their chances of making the final after that semi-final draw? Gary, Alan and Micah also review the four Premier League games from the weekend, as things got even tighter at the bottom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many players are fighting for places in Gareth Southgate’s final Euros squad? Will Bournemouth’s comeback win be a hammer blow for Luton’s season? How far can Arsenal go in the Champions League? Alan and Micah also review the Champions League Round of 16 and discuss whether it all felt a little too predictable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who is the fittest pundit on the football circuit? Should Newcastle move from St James' Park or look to redevelop instead? What’s the single biggest reason for players being able to turn their form around? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss why we are seeing so many injuries in the Premier League this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Liverpool regret not taking all three points against Man City at the end of the season? Are Spurs the best side to watch in the Premier League this season? Will Leicester get caught at the top of the Championship? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss Arsenal’s scintillating form and look at which team has the best run-in for the title race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What were Tom Lockyer’s first thoughts after ‘coming back from the dead’? How are Luton Town managing to defy all the odds and be competitive this season? What is Rob Edwards best characteristic as a manager? Gary, Alan & Micah are joined by Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer to discuss his life in football and how his perspective has changed following his cardiac arrest and the birth of his daughter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What really happened when Newcastle United made a bid for Wayne Rooney? Who were the most influential captains our lads ever played under? Alan has agreed to the bet, but what would it take for him to appear on MOTD in his pants? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss one of the best sporting arenas in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is this going to be the best Title Race the Premier League has ever seen? Who are going to challenge England this summer in Germany and Phil Foden’s fantastic Man of the Match performance in the Manchester derby  Gary, Micah and Alan look back over the weekend of Premier League Football  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who will come out on top in the FA Cup quarter-final between Man City and Newcastle? What does it take to become a truly great finisher? Does football have a bigger doping problem than people realise? Gary, Alan and Micah look back at the FA Cup 5th Round action and pick their favourites to lift the trophy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where does Cesc Fabregas sit in the list of greatest Premier League midfielders? What’s it like trying to pick up the language when playing abroad and why do you always learn the swear words first? What next for Everton and Nottingham Forest after the Toffee’s points deduction was reduced to six? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate just how much of a difference a manager makes to clubs at the top level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How does Jurgen Klopp continue to get the very best out of his players, even when their backs are against the wall? Could Chelsea have done more and been more committed in going for the win? Are managers going over the top with some of their celebrations after matches now? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss team-mates fighting after Sheffield United’s Vinicius Souza and Jack Robinson clashed at Molineux. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did Jude Bellingham leave the other players gobsmacked after his first England training session? Why is Gareth Southgate better placed to win a trophy with England now than he ever has been before? How did Nuno turn his vision of the future for Conor and Wolves into reality? Gary, Alan and Micah are joined by Conor Coady to discuss life in the England camp at the last two major tournaments and playing club football in Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did Harry Kewell take Gary to court? Is Dan Ashworth worth £20m to Man United? What rousing words did Bobby Robson give his team before the penalty shootout in the World Cup semi-final? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate where this current Man City side rank amongst the greatest ever Premier League teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where does Roy Hodgson rank among the list of Premier League managers? What will the future hold for Crystal Palace under Oliver Glasner? What does success look like for Crystal Palace? Gary, Alan and Micah are also joined by Dan Cook, who runs the HLTCO podcast, to dive into the Crystal Palace fans perspective and what they want to see from their club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What has Rasmus Hojlund changed that’s led to his red-hot run of form? How long until Vincent Kompany is under real pressure for his job at Burnley? Who had a shocker with their ‘triple captain’ on Fantasy Football this week? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the title race in Scotland as Rangers leapfrog Celtic at the top. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What exactly did Micah get up to in Las Vegas that made it a “trip of a lifetime”? Where would be best for Kylian Mbappé to move to in the summer? Are Manchester City the firm favourites to retain their Champions League title? Gary and Micah also discuss the race for promotion in the Championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who was keeping Alan awake the night before his biggest game as Newcastle manager? What’s it like when the worlds of football and Hollywood movies collide? Which football moments made our hosts fall in love with the game? Gary & Alan also debate the best Irish player they ever played against. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Bukayo Saka now a guaranteed starter for England? Should West Ham stick with David Moyes and give him a new contract? Was Ivory Coast’s AFCON success the biggest ever turnaround at an international tournament? Gary & Alan also discuss the crazy situation of loan players scoring against their parent clubs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who are the best up and coming players in world football right now? Who has made it into EA SPORTS FC 24’s Future Stars? Did Micah make the most of the early years of his career after bursting onto the scene? As three players that made it to the very top of the game, what advice would our hosts give to these players that are drawing so much attention at a young age? Future Stars are available in FC 24’s Ultimate Team now! Campaign live in-game until Feb 23rd. www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-24/ultimate-team/future-stars This episode is brought to you in partnership with EA SPORTS FC 24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What really happened when Joleon Lescott tweeted a photo of a flashy car after a 6-0 defeat? Why is the Olympic Village the “party of all parties”? Which player used to lie about his use of Nando’s? Gary, Alan and Micah also explain exactly what a typical day in the life of a Premier League footballer is like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are we set for one of the best title races for years? Have Man United finally started to turn the corner? Why has an English manager never won the Premier League? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the unrest at Crystal Palace and whether Roy Hodgson will survive the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do referees subconsciously favour big clubs, particularly when they’re at home? How do we feel about players mocking each other’s celebrations? Why does Gary think things will definitely come good for Darwin Núñez? Gary, Alan and Micah also sing the praises of Michael Olise and discuss whether Gareth Southgate should be looking to try and snap him up before he makes a senior international appearance for France. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did Alan have his head in a crocodile’s mouth in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office? What were the most ridiculous things they ever spent their football wages on? Who are the most famous people the boys have ever met? Gary, Alan and Micah also reveal the unexpected perks of being a football pundit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do Man United get Marcus Rashford back to the highs he was hitting last season? What prompted Alan to watch a game amongst the Newcastle away fans for the first time in decades? Has a dangerous precedent been set after the Anderlecht v Genk match was ordered to be replayed in full after a VAR error? Gary, Alan and Micah also celebrate Maidstone United’s terrific victory against Ipswich, which saw them go through to the fifth round of the FA Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why is Klopp leaving Anfield? Will Xabi Alonso replace him? Should he be remembered as one of the greatest Premier League managers of all time? Join Alan and Gary for an emergency episode of The Rest Is Football, where they react to the news that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will leave the club at the end of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If Gary and Alan were in Victor Osimhen’s shoes, which Premier League club would they join? If Chelsea win the League Cup would that be a successful season for them, regardless of league position? Gary, Alan and Micah also review all the action from AFCON and the Asian Cup as the group stages come to an end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did Micah’s first ever football shirt make Alan so happy? Which football-related incidents keep the boys awake at night? How did Gary end up playing golf with two American superstars? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss Omar Berrada’s move from Man City to Man Utd and whether he will be able to turn the tide at United. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How should players, fans and governing bodies deal with the ongoing issues with racism in football? Also, should Diogo Jota be in Liverpool’s starting XI when everyone is fit? Will Crystal Palace stick with Roy Hodgson amid growing unrest amongst their fans? Gary, Alan and Micah also look at the battle at the top of the Championship and debate whether parachute payments should continue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did Micah turn down joining Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in 2007? Who would come out on top if Alan and Micah faced each other in their prime? Do the Premier League’s FFP rules need updating? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the worst dressing room dressing-downs they saw in their careers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did Ronaldo end up signing for Man Utd in Gary’s garden? Why was Ian Wright so frustrating to play against? Why was managing Newcastle the most pressure Alan has ever been under? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the favourite partnerships they had during their playing careers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Kevin De Bruyne the greatest ever Premier League midfielder? How do you bring a player back into the fold after they’ve fallen out with the manager? Will the fans protest at Reading that saw their game abandoned be enough to save their club? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate whether Man United still have the power to attract the world’s very best players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What made José turn a little cold towards Gary? Can Alan and Micah name the Top 10 most valuable players in the world right now? And who gets into a Salad XI of footballers? The boys also discuss whether Antoine Griezmann is one of the most underrated footballers of this generation after he broke the Atletico goal scoring record. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would be the boys dream transfers during this month’s window? Who had to have 100ml of fluid removed from their knee before every training session? Why did Alan turn down an extra £600k from Adidas to wear their boots? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss players who have gone on to work outside of football after their careers and made it big. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did we see so few big Cup upsets at the weekend? Are the big teams taking the FA Cup more seriously? Do we prefer watching games without VAR? Gary, Alan and Micah review the best of the action from the FA Cup 3rd Round and suggest a solution for the use of VAR going forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who was the best Premier League player of 2023? Which club were the biggest underachievers of the last year? Who “burst onto the scene” like our very own Micah Richards? Gary, Alan and Micah run through The Rest Is Football’s very prestigious end of year awards and have a lot of fun along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was it like playing against Sam Allardyce’s Bolton in the early 2000’s? Why do we put ourselves through the highs and lows of playing fantasy football? How do you define what a ‘world class’ player is? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the emotions of taking a high pressure penalty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What next for Wayne Rooney and his managerial career? Why do some ‘star’ players find the transition to management so difficult? How do you get players to buy into your vision as a manager? Gary and Micah react to the news that Wayne Rooney has been sacked as manager of Birmingham City after just 15 games in charge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do Arsenal recover from a poor run of form over the festive period? With players returning from injury, what is Pep Guardiola’s best XI? Who had a surprise meeting with David Beckham over the Christmas holidays? Gary and Micah also discuss whether VAR is now actually encouraging diving, rather than preventing it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Man City finally getting the best out of Phil Foden in his new role? What are the immediate things that Sir Jim Ratcliffe needs to do at Man Utd? How hard is the transition from player to manager and what do the coaching badges not prepare you for? Gary, Alan and Micah also marvel at Bournemouth’s recent form and the job Andoni Iraola is doing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A short message from Gary to say thank you to all our listeners for their support so far this season and give an update on what we’ve got planned for 2024. Have a wonderful Christmas! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do we take some of the power away from agents in the world of football? Why are there so many American takeovers of English clubs? What were Brian Clough’s secret negotiating techniques? Gary, Alan and Micah speak to Jon Holmes, Gary’s agent of 45 years, to have an in-depth look at the life of a football agent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s the most outrageous thing our hosts ever saw at a club’s Christmas party? Do any players really intentionally get suspended over the festive period? Which players would be all smiles off the pitch, but wouldn’t hesitate to give you a good kick if they got the chance? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate which pair of Man Utd greats from the last couple of decades would be best suited to go and fix the current mess at the club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you be a bargain at £100m? Why are Man City struggling defensively at the moment? How does it feel to come up trumps after getting hammered by the opposition fans? Gary, Alan and Micah also reflect on a desperately disappointing game at Anfield and where that leaves both clubs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should Newcastle have been less gung-ho in their attempt to reach the CL knockouts, which ultimately cost them a place in Europe altogether? Which club would Ivan Toney be best suited for if he was to leave Brentford? Can anyone stop Liverpool winning the Europa League? Gary, Alan and Micah also make their predictions on who will ultimately win this year’s Champions League. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who should Aston Villa be looking to sign in January? What happens in the dressing room when another player wants your shirt number? Will Ant & Dec ever be successful in their attempts to tap Alan up to go into the jungle? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss what dangers the Premier League could face if 14 or more of the club’s owners are American. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Pochettino the man to fix the problems at Chelsea? Are we focussing too much on the idea that players are fatigued? Why are we seeing sides really having a go at the traditional ‘top teams’ this season? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the results of a poll about the use of VAR, after more than 100,000 fans voted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why exactly are certain managers being particularly prickly at the moment? How big a statement was Aston Villa’s performance against Man City? Alan and Micah clash over whether they would want Declan Rice or Rodri in their side. Plus, the boys discuss the troubles at Nottingham Forest and whether Steve Cooper deserves more time in charge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s the best way to deal with player power building in the dressing room? Which of our hosts saw team-mates actively celebrating when they found out their manager had been sacked? And how on earth did Micah Richards end up in a chart-topping music video? Also, after the sex noises prank during the group stage draw for the Euros, Gary reflects on exactly what was going through his mind when it happened to him live on the BBC last season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did Spurs deserve a point against Man City? Is there any way back from the lack of desire some Man Utd players are showing on the pitch? Why on earth were Barcelona players asking for Nutella sandwiches after their matches? The boys also discuss Liverpool having their own goal of the month competition at Anfield and a crucial win for Burnley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would the introduction of sin-bins be a good thing for football? Why was Sergio Agüero so different on a matchday compared to the rest of the time? Who were the most annoying players that Gary and Micah ever played against? Alan also tell us what he would have done if he’d been playing for Newcastle in the Mike Ashley era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In their new podcast TV maestro and hugely successful author Richard Osman, along with The Guardian's razor-sharp columnist Marina Hyde unravel the mysteries and unveil the hidden gems within the vast landscape of entertainment. Blending knowledge, humour, and insight as industry insiders they'll talk television, films, books, music and celebrity gossip as well as offering an enticing peek behind the curtain. Listen to the full episode now by searching The Rest Is Entertainment wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did Micah’s pre-match chat with Alisson play a few mind games before his performance against Man City? Will Aston Villa be able to sustain their Top 4 push? Was Alejandro Garnacho’s overhead kick the best goal ever scored in the Premier League? Gary, Alan and Micah also reflect on a big weekend at the bottom of the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the sad news that Terry Venables passed away at the weekend, Gary, Alan and Micah reflect on the incredible person that he was and his tremendous impact on the game of football. He was Gary’s manager at Barcelona and Tottenham, Alan’s manager with England for Euro 96 and was part of the national set-up as assistant manager for Micah. We hear stories of his genius footballing brain and the innovations he would try in training, his brilliant man-management skills in handling strong personalties like Paul Gascoigne and how he loved a good sing-song. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who thinks Man City won’t win the league this year? Who has got the best chance of gatecrashing the Top 4? Will Everton survive after their points deduction? Gary, Alan and Micah look back at the predictions they made at the start of the season, to see what they’ve got right and where they’ve been going wrong.  They go through all 20 Premier League teams to look at the challenges they face and any surprises we might see between now and the end of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did Roy Keane threaten to knock Alan out on the pitch? What do Gary, Alan and Micah think is England’s best starting XI? And what was it really like having to go to battle against Tony Pulis’ Stoke City? We also hear the story of when Gazza brought his new Winnebago to training and ended up giving one fan a journey he would never forget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Everton having been docked ten points for breaching Premier League financial rules, Gary and Alan are joined by journalist Nick Harris of Sporting Intelligence to discuss the reasoning behind the dramatic decision.  Also discussed are the implications for Manchester City, currently facing 115 charges for alleged breaches of the League’s financial rules. Charges Manchester City deny. Anyone wanting to read the full reasons for the Everton judgement can do so here: https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/document/2023/11/17/49989e4e-01a2-44f9-a012-c3a31ae5536b/2023-11-17-Premier-League-v-Everton-FC-Decision-for-Publication.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the biggest threat to the growth, or even survival, of domestic football? Would salary caps help level the playing field? Is it ok for football clubs to continually lose money? Crystal Palace co-owner and chairman Steve Parish joins Gary and Alan on today’s episode to discuss what it’s really like running a professional football club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What actually happens when a senior player turns against the manager? Why did one of Bobby Robson’s phone calls have Gary and the team in fits of laughter? Who thinks the World Cup SHOULD be every two years? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss which British football team they would each have loved to have played for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should Man City have sold Cole Palmer to Chelsea? Are Liverpool the biggest threat to Man City retaining their title? Will Aston Villa crash the top four this season? The boys also discuss what will be going through Rasmus Højlund’s mind, as his Premier League goal drought continues after a big money move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Which specific moment from that Champions League final against Liverpool kept Andriy awake at night for three months? How did he end up getting married on the 14th green of a golf course? And which Brazilian genius did Andriy think was better - Ronaldinho or Kaká? In the second part of our special with the Ukrainian Ballon d’Or winner, Gary also finds out what went wrong during his spell at Chelsea. You can buy Andriy’s new book My Life, My Football here: https://backpagepress.co.uk/books/my-life-my-football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has Micah found a new calling in Latin America? How upset do players get with poor FIFA ratings? Who was sneaking off for a cheeky cigarette minutes before kick off? The boys also debate who the second best striker in the Premier League is, after Erling Haaland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was Mikel Arteta right to have a rant about VAR after Arsenal’s defeat? Should Marcus Rashford have been out celebrating his birthday after Manchester United were embarrassed in the derby? How did Gary’s search for Maradona end up with him playing golf with the President?  Plus, the boys reflect on a very emotional day for Luis Diaz as he rescues a point for Liverpool and dedicates his goal to his father, who is still missing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did the AC Milan players end up celebrating on a golf course at 5am after their Champions League win? What did Andriy think was the key reason why he won the Ballon d’Or? And how exactly did he end up assisting in a heart transplant operation? On today’s episode, Gary Lineker is joined by Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko. You can buy Andriy’s new book My Life, My Football here: https://backpagepress.co.uk/books/my-life-my-football Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happened when Paul Gascoigne brought an air rifle to training? How did Mario Balotelli almost end up repeating his fireworks fiasco? And what’s the least enjoyable thing about being a professional footballer? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the best goal they scored during their careers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Micah hot foots it back from Old Trafford to reflect on a humiliating defeat for United in the Manchester derby. Alan Shearer is forced to choose between Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. And Gary marvels at the match winning performance of Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid in El Classico. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s it like when your own fans turn against you? Was Man City’s dress code for their Champions League match the worst we’ve ever seen? And after a wardrobe malfunction of his own on live TV, Micah is left asking ‘Why always Meeks?’.  Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss whether Spurs are now a better team without Harry Kane and how the England captain will be feeling watching on from Munich. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who got catfished for a pair of tickets to the Players’ Lounge for the biggest game of the season? Why is Ezri Konsa not getting a look in for the England squad? And who got caught out because they had their own name plastered all over the side of a sponsored car? Plus, Gary, Alan and Micah discuss who they would start, bench or sack out of Kieran Trippier, Gary Neville and Terry Butcher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary reveals the impact that Sir Bobby Charlton had on him and his career, as Alan and Micah debate whether he was England’s greatest ever player.  Plus, the lads discuss where Kieran Trippier sits on the list of the world’s best full backs and Micah tells us about the time he got a little too excited with the hotel minibar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What got Micah hot under the collar at Kidderminster Harriers? Who is the best English player never to get an international call up? And who called for the subs’ bench after a torrid time against Bayern Munich? Plus, Gary tells Alan and Micah how Terry Venables helped him through one of his darkest times after his son George was diagnosed with leukaemia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices