The Rest Is Football

Merry Christmas

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

The Power Of Agents, American Takeovers & Negotiating With Brian Clough

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

Wild Christmas Parties, Festive Suspensions & Players With An Alter Ego

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

The £100m Bargain, City’s Glitch In The Algorithm & The Joy Of Silencing The Fans

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

Newcastle Pay The Price, The Battle For Ivan Toney & Liverpool To Win the Europa League

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

Villa’s January Shopping List, Fighting Over Shirt Numbers & Alan In The Jungle

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

Alarm Bells At Chelsea, The Myth Of Player Fatigue & Front Foot Football

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

Managers in a Grump, Villa Show Their Class & Rice or Rodri?

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

The Danger Of Player Power, Celebrating A Manager's Sacking & Micah’s Short-Lived Music Career

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

Drama At The Etihad, Man Utd’s Attitude Problems & Nutella Sandwiches

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

Sin-bins, A Tale Of Two Agüeros & The Most Annoying Players

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

Introducing... The Rest Is Entertainment

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

Micah’s Curse On Alisson, Villa The Real Deal & The Best Ever PL Goal?

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

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