The Rest Is Football

Remembering the Great Terry Venables

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

Mid-Term Reports - All 20 PL Clubs Reviewed

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

A Run in with Roy Keane, England’s Best XI & Battles at the Britannia

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

Everton’s Financial Troubles, The Case For Appeal and What Next For Man City & Chelsea?

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

The Biggest Danger To English Football, Salary Caps & How Much Money Do Football Clubs Lose?

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

Losing The Dressing Room, Bobby Robson’s Dodgy Phone Call & Why The World Cup Should Be Every Two Years

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

Stamford Bridge Thriller, Liverpool Definite Contenders & Villa Flying High

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

Shevchenko: Nightmare In Istanbul, Getting Married On A Golf Course & Ronaldinho or Kaká?

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

Mexican Wrestling, FIFA Ratings and Smoking In The Dressing Room

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

Arteta’s Outburst, Rashford’s Party and Golf With The President

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

Shevchenko: Champions League Celebrations, Ballon d’Or Brilliance & Assisting a Heart Transplant

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

Gazza's Air Rifle, Balotelli's Fireworks and the worst thing about being a footballer

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

City Rule Manchester, Haaland vs Kane, and Bellingham beats Barcelona

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

Abuse From Your Own Fans, Fashion Faux Pas & Why Always Meeks?

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

Getting Catfished for Match Tickets, Konsa for England and the Most Embarrassing Sponsor Mishaps

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

The Great Sir Bobby Charlton, Tremendous Trippier and Micah’s Minibar Madness

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

Altercations With Fans, England’s Best Player Never to Win a Cap and a Nightmare at the Allianz

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

England Beat Italy and Qualify for Euros

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

Beckham versus Hoddle, Gazza’s Golf Routine and Why Lampard Blanked Big Meeks

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

Thierry Henry on Lionel Messi, THAT Pires penalty, and Arteta's Arsenal

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

Half-time Bollockings, Horror Injuries & Acting Debuts

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

Advantage Arsenal, Last Gasp United, and Spurs for the Title?

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

Thierry Henry on Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola, and 'Va Va Voom'

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

England Bonuses, Brazilian Ronaldo and Maradona Mayhem

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

Time to Scrap VAR?

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

Trouble in Naples and the Next Steven Gerrard

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

Agents, Ferraris and Top Teams

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

The Battle for North London, Rampant Newcastle and the Gap at the Bottom

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 this generation, England Keepers and Manchester City post Pep

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

Strange Injuries, Selling Salah & Britain’s Next Top Manager

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