Goalhanger

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

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

Gary, Alan and Micah discuss a Jude Bellingham masterclass as England come from behind to beat Italy at Wembley. Two goals from Harry Kane, including his 21st penalty for England, plus a rocket from Marcus Rashford give the boys great hope that England could go all the way next summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was Glenn Hoddle right to blame David Beckham for England going out of the World Cup? How did Paul Gascoigne entertain Gary and co on his first international call up? And what made Frank Lampard blank Micah Richards at Stamford Bridge? Gary Lineker is joined by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards to talk all things football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Which Premier League player is the only one to come close to Lionel Messi? What happened during that infamous Pires-Henry penalty against Man City? Does Arteta have what it takes to go all the way at Arsenal? For the second of two episodes, Alan, Micah and Gary are joined by Premier League great, Thierry Henry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was the worst a manager let rip in the dressing room? How do serious injuries affect the whole team? And who had to do the most ridiculous TV advert? Gary, Alan and Micah also compare their favourite shirt swaps and debate who got the best one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Micah races back from the Emirates to join Alan and Gary as the boys reflect on a dramatic weekend of football.Have Arsenal taken a psychological advantage over title rivals Manchester City? Has Scott McTominay saved Manchester United from another week of soul searching? And are Raheem Sterling, Nick Pope and James Ward-Prowse all unlucky not to be in Gareth Southgate’s England squad? Spurs title chances, Jude Bellingham’s latest superstar performance for Real Madrid and Olivier Giroud’s remarkable goalkeeping feat also feature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who does Thierry Henry think was better: Wenger of Guardiola? Why did Arsenal fans shout abuse at him in his early days? Why did he have to hide his fear of failure from Martin Keown and Tony Adams? On today's episode of The Rest Is Football, the boys are joined by France and Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What did each of Gary, Alan and Micah do with their England bonuses and who forced Micah to give his away? How good was the Brazilian Ronaldo? And who stopped Diego Maradona falling off a balcony at the Bombonera? Plus Gary recounts the night he thought his career was over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After another horrendous weekend for VAR, Gary, Alan and Micah wonder if the time has come to scrap football’s video refereeing experiment. And if it does stay, how can it be improved? Plus, what’s it like in a toxic dressing room? And is Ollie Watkins England’s second best striker? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Micah, Gary and Alan reflect on the shocking treatment of Victor Osimhen by his own club Napoli. Plus, have Liverpool uncovered the next Steven Gerrard? Alan enjoys Newcastle’s victory over Manchester City and the boys recall their experiences playing with the world’s best golfers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Micah describes the day he knew he was going to make it as a footballer. Gary tells the story of the day he tried to mark Bryan Robson. And Alan explains why he’d play for Manchester City given half a chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What did we learn from the North London Derby? Have Newcastle kick started their season? And is the gap between the Premier League and the Championship growing? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss how the handball law has become so ludicrous. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who is the greatest striker of recent years? As Robert Lewandowski reaches the milestone of 100 goals in European football Gary, Alan and Micah debate the best number nines in the game. After a busy week of European competition the boys look back on all the key action as well as discussing the competition between English goalkeepers to be Gareth Southgate’s number one at next summer’s European Championship. Plus they imagine life at Manchester City when Pep Guardiola eventually decides to move on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Micah Richards recalls his bizarre bedroom-based injury, Gary reveals the Match of the Day running order league table, and the boys wonder if Liverpool should cash in on Mo Salah in January. Plus, who are the best managers outside the Premier League and which current players would make top future pundits? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have Manchester United got a culture problem and if so can Erik ten Hag sort it out? Gary, Micah and Alan examine the problems at a club with so many players under public scrutiny. Alan describes the challenges of enforcing good timekeeping on a difficult dressing room and Micah wonders whether the players are enjoying the longer playing time this season quite as much as the fans are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Jude Bellingham destined to be one of the world’s greatest? How exactly did Barcelona lose the world’s best footballer? Has anyone had a bigger impact on English football than Pep Guardiola in the last decade? Spanish football expert Sid Lowe joins Gary to look into what’s going on at Real Madrid and Barcelona and discuss the impact Spain has had on the Premier League and English football as a whole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recorded immediately after England’s victory over Scotland, Gary, Alan and Micah debate the quality of the current England team and enjoy a brilliant performance from Real Madrid’s newest star Jude Bellingham. Plus the boys evaluate the standing of Kyle Walker in the pantheon of England right backs. Also up for discussion are doping in football, the potential take-over at Everton, and the time Micah turned up for England duty with four left boots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should the next England manager be English? Gary, Alan and Micah discuss Gareth Southgate’s potential successor should he walk away post-Euros. Why are Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire starting for England while not playing regularly for a top tier team? And which Premier League club offered Gary the manager’s job. Plus the boys look ahead to Scotland v England and reflect on the great rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our international football special Gareth Southgate’s England selection comes under scrutiny from Gary, Alan and Micah. Do England really have the best front six in world football? Plus why does Micah love David Beckham so much? And how did Terry Butcher’s caged tigers help England win away in Yugoslavia? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Mario Balotelli ruined Micah’s first day at his new club. Was Alan really worth £200 million in his pomp? And why did Gary find himself talking bollocks abroad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should managers ever publicly criticise players? Has Evan Ferguson got a bit of Erling Haaland about him? And is it possible that Spurs could become a better all-round team without Harry Kane? Gary also explains how the Match of the Day running order is chosen and why your team isn’t always last on! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Deadline Day the transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano explains what goes on behind-the-scenes of this mysterious part of the football world. How exactly does he find out about deals? Why do players contact him directly? And how did Bruno Fernandes change his life? Gary, Alan and Micah also find out which transfer scoop was Fabrizio’s favourite and which team he actually supports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Micah Richards describes the goal that lost him a million pounds and names the player who made his life hell at Manchester City. Alan Shearer reveals the truth about his stolen trainers and Gary Lineker describes the utter devastation of losing the World Cup semi-final to West Germany and recounts the sing-song that brought the squad back together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Drama and controversy again in the Premier League as Gary, Alan and Micah debate red cards, red comebacks and penalty misses. Was the Virgil van Dijk challenge a red card? Is this Darwin Nunez’s break out season? The usually faultless Erling Haaland’s penalty miss reminds Alan and Gary of their own spot kick embarrassments. Plus the lads discuss the latest brilliant Barca teenage phenomenon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a week of stark contrasts, Gary, Alan and Micah discuss the ongoing crisis at Manchester United as the Mason Greenwood situation continues to unravel. They also reflect on the career of the great Lionel Messi after he adds yet another trophy to his collection. Plus Jude Bellingham’s remarkable impact in La Liga, how has his career risen so smoothly? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should the captain be the only player allowed to speak to the referee? What if your captain is the biggest moaner of the lot? Which referees had the best banter and weren’t afraid to give you stick back? Which two teammates would the lads pick to go to Amsterdam on holiday with? Gary, Alan and Micah answer these and more of your listener questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester United baffled Micah in their first two games of the season, so what’s wrong with ten Hag’s men? And where exactly should Marcus Rashford play? Plus league leaders Brighton won comfortably at Wolves with a Mitoma wonder goal, as Everton sank into early season gloom. We’re also joined by Karen Carney to reflect on the Lionesses performance at the Women’s World Cup and the future of the women’s game in the UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will the fans ever get to hear what’s going on with VAR decisions? Should ex-players be helping referees? And is there really a ‘big club’ bias? The boys are joined by Howard Webb to discuss all matters referees and VAR. Howard also finally apologises to Alan for his decision that helped relegate Newcastle back in 2009. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did Gary Lineker get Paul Gascoigne into hot water and which current Premier League player reminds Alan Shearer of himself? Gary, Alan and Micah Richards answer listener questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices