The Big Interview With Graham Hunter

We're back with the second half of our season preview from Spain - which young players will make their name? Who will make the top four? How much credit does Valverde have in the bank at Barca? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

It’s the August Q & A – lots to discuss as La Liga starts with a bang – Atleti’s new phenom, what’s wrong with Madrid’s midfield and why Ivan Rakitic may yet be leaving Barcelona.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola!I recently spent an hour or so in the excellent company of Matt Jansen, a man who knows more than most about tribulation.Matt was a superb striker whose rapid rise to footballing stardom peaked with scoring the first goal and then setting up the winner in the League Cup final for Blackburn. But his career was then wrecked by an accident which nearly claimed his life. You’ll hear about how Matt came back from that nadir with the help of a world-renowned sports psychologist, about how he was so cruelly denied a place in England’s 2002 World Cup squad, about the ordeal of having to knock back Sir Alex Ferguson, and about what it was like to play alongside the wonderful Andy Cole.What a life story Matt has. What a privilege it was to speak with him.Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Quinton Fortune. For the first time, here’s the full episode.In part two, Quinton speaks about how he got to know the second Ronaldo – Cristiano, and describes how his Manchester United team-mates’ relentless teasing fired up and brought out the best in the Portuguese genius.Quinton offers an incredible insight into the golden era at Old Trafford, where training was so intensely competitive – he speaks about getting a kick from Roy Keane – that playing on a Saturday was a blessed joy by comparison.Quinton Fortune will make a great coach. You heard it here first.If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Quinton Fortune. For the first time, here’s the full episode.In part one, when Quinton relates his journey from the ‘nightmare’ of the Cape Flats in South Africa to gracing the Champions League stage, you realise you are dealing with the stuff of football fairy tales. Quinton describes happy days as a youngster at Spurs under Terry Venables where he adored club legend Paul Gascoigne. He also speaks about joining a heady era at Atlético Madrid, where in his senior debut he was tasked with marking Ronaldo – the original Ronaldo, the Brazilian who Quinton describes as the player who had everything.If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.subs

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Gianluca Vialli from season two.Gianluca was my favourite footballer during the 1990s, and I had the honour of getting to know him at his peak. He graced Serie A with his goals during a golden age of Italian club football, winning the league and getting to three European finals with Vujadin Boskov’s Sampdoria – an unfancied club who caught the imagination with their togetherness and sheer will to will. At Juventus, Luca played amid a mouth-watering array of talent, as part of the Turin side’s Tridente attack, culminating in a Champions League win on his final game. We hear about how coach Marcello Lippi’s pressing, offensive style at Juve broke the mould of the Italian approach. Gianluca also gives incredible insights into his time at Chelsea – falling out of favour with Ruud Gullit, replacing Gullit as boss, and then his shock and anger at his own unmerited sacking.My friends, it’s simply one of the best Big Interviews ever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva

Season 2019-20 of the Big Interview starts with the world's best defender and my pick for the Ballon D'Or - Virgil van Dijk!How does the Mane-Firmino-Salah press help him make those trademark interceptions? What coach does he try to impress every time he walks past a training drill? How did Holland set the trap for England in the Nations League? Thanks for listening - please let me know what you think of this one on Twitter @ghpodcast or by leaving a review on iTunes.Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Ahead of this summer’s World Cup, here’s another chance to hear my 2016 interview with Phil Neville, the manager of England’s Lionesses.In part two, Phil describes how he and his family made the joint decision to try a new life in Spain, his love for the Spanish language and the differences between football culture in Spain and Britain. Phil also speaks about his involvement with Salford City FC, a club which he and several others of Manchester United’s Class of ’92 have invested in financially and emotionally.Truly fascinating stuff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Ahead of this summer’s World Cup, here’s another chance to hear my 2016 interview with Phil Neville, the manager of England’s Lionesses.Phil’s first love was cricket – and he played it to a very high standard with some truly great players; in fact, he could have gone all the way in that sport. However, football was where he found fame and fortune at Manchester United. Cricket’s loss has been soccer’s gain.Phil speaks about the values cricket and his parents instilled in him, and how we must strive to nurture toughness and independence in today’s young footballers.Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Of course Alisson was man of the match. Of course it was a penalty. And of course it was a poor match - here's my review of the final of the Champions League. Also, why elite footballers need a rest and why they won't get it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

In the second of our preview shows, I spoke to Duncan McMath, my colleague at La Liga Television and the film maker who directed Take the Ball, Pass the Ball, the film based on my book, Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World. And a Suprs fan. Listen up. And enjoy the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

The countdown is underway and here, in our first preview of the Champions League final, The Sunday Times chief football writer, Jonathan Northcroft, returns to the podcast to talk about Liverpool, who he has followed closely this season, from one-on-ones with key players, press conferences with Jurgen Klopp and access to the recruitment and analytics machine that has transformed the club.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Welcome to our Champions League final clip show.Ahead of this week’s all-English Champions League Cup final in Madrid, here’s some of our fantastic guests reflecting on their experiences of the final of this great competition.We start with Liverpool and a section from a Big Interview I did with James Milner in December 2018 where he reflects on the pain of last year's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid… but also how much they learned, and will now take into the weekend.Jamie Carragher then takes us into the half-time dressing room at Istanbul in 2005 and the ecstasy of that famous Liverpool victory.The agonies are powerfully conveyed by ex-Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who was wrongfully suspended from the 2009 Champions League final v Barcelona.Graeme Souness then regales us with extraordinary tales of Liverpool European Cup finals, including 1981 in Paris where he left the Parc des Princes in the back of a police van.Finally, Paul Clement experienced Champions League success as Car

Welcome to our UEFA / Europa Cup final clip show.Ahead of this week’s all-English Europa Cup final in Baku, we thought we would put together some of our brilliant guests reflecting on their experiences of the competition.We start with Kevin Bridges and the ultimate fan experience at the 2003 UEFA Cup final. Did you know Henrik Larsson performed medical miracles that night as well as score two fantastic goals? Listen up for his bittersweet experience of seeing his team, Celtic, lose in extra-time to Jose Mourinho’s Porto.Terry Butcher takes us back to Ipswich’s 1981 UEFA Cup final win over AZ Alkmaar - a bonkers two-legged affair in which Bobby Robson’s side eventually won 5-4.Fast forward exactly 20 years and another English side picked up the UEFA Cup with exactly the same scoreline, albeit over a one-legged extra-time match which was eventually settled by a golden goal. Gary McAllister tells the tale of Liverpool’s epic 5-4 win over Alaves from his perspective, while Jamie Carragher describes the exhausted

Valencia end an 11-year trophy drought, but their 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final might be far more significant than that. They have Spain's coach of the year, and a cleverly-assembled team that is ready to challenge for the title if the big three can't solve their problems this summer. As for Barcelona? They have been in the psychiatrist's chair since Anfield and they can't get out until they make big changes to their team.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

After a season that started abysmally, Valencia have been doubled their productivity in front of goal and made the latest of runs into the final Champions League spot in La Liga.Now they have a chance to win the Copa del Rey and raise further the profile of Marcelino, a coach who I think will eventually land in the Premier League.Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola and welcome to the Big Interview with Mark Schwarzer – a great goalkeeper who broke new ground as part of pioneering teams with Middlesbrough, Fulham and Australia.talked about his early years playing in Germany, where he played with Jonny Ekstrom and a young Jens Jeremies, and the push factors which eventually persuaded him to make his name in England.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

There’s something magical about the FA Cup final, don’t you think?Wembley, the sun shining, a bowling green of a pitch… jumpers for goalposts. Sorry I’ve taken that too far.Here’s some clips of our guests talking about that most special day in the football calendarFirst up, then West Ham manager Alan Pardew tells us of the day in 2006 when Stevie G broke his heart with an injury-time equaliser from, what, 160 yards, to force extra-time and penalties.Gary McAllister continues the Liverpool theme when he talks us through his part in the Anfield club’s 2-1 win over Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup final.Robbie di Matteo scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history in 1997 and he talks us through that iconic moment, before Terry Gibson takes us back to 1988 and the day the Crazy Gang beat Liverpool to pick up the famous trophy.Finally, listen up for Ander Herrera’s reflections on the 2016 FA Cup final, which marked his first major honour at United.Enjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat

Ever wondered what it's like to share a dressing room with big Duncan Ferguson and Tommy Gravesen? In part two, let David Weir take you into the inner sanctum of the Everton dressing room between 1999 and 2007. Listen to him break down the challenge of playing against the top Premier League strikers of that era and how his greatest test was facing rangy forwards like Freddi Kanoute and Paulo Wanchope. You'll also hear about David's take on stockpiling trophies during his spell at Rangers and that unforgettable run to the final of the 2008 UEFA Cup final, where the Ibrox side lost to Zenit St Petersburg. Enjoy!Graham  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

As a player, David Weir was bright, he read games brilliantly and his intelligence ensured that he enjoyed a long and successful career.That career, in my eyes, was a boy's own story.In this first episode, David claims that he was not good enough for professional football at 18 and so he left for the United States, becoming one of the elite players in the college game. You'll hear about his experiences across the Atlantic, as well as his time at hometown club Falkirk, and Scottish Cup glory at Hearts.Enjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com