The Rest Is Football

It’s been a disastrous week for Manchester United as they suffer a heavy defeat to Cesc Fàbregas’s impressive Como side. To add fuel to the fire, Bruno Fernandes appears to have fallen out with Michael Carrick following his explosive post-match comments. Can it get any worse for United? Harry Kane delivered another stellar performance as Bayern Munich drew with Arsenal. He impressed with his passing range and creativity, as well as converting a well-taken penalty. Is the Ballon d’Or heading back to Munich with him? Gary, Alan & Micah also pick their Champions League winners. Are PSG the frontrunners once again after another brilliant victory over Barcelona, who many consider to be among the favourites? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Independent Football Regulator has released its State of the Game report and the findings are eye-opening as the perilous financial situation much of the pyramid faces is laid bare. Gary Lineker and Alastair Campbell speak to the chair of the IFR David Kogan and find out what powers he has to improve the landscape in English football. We also look at what it would take for him to intervene and force an owner to sell a club, and how he could possibly get involved in the Manchester City case once the appeal is heard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brighton are brilliant again, but are the Seagulls genuine title-race outsiders or is a Champions League push the more realistic target? Arsenal struggle to break through in the first half yet again before another substitute rides to the rescue. Is the bench becoming their most important weapon, or a warning sign? Gary, Micah and Alan also turn their attention to Manchester City’s new-look midfield and their continued unbeaten run despite a cloud looming over them. Liverpool get back to winning ways despite still looking like they can be got at. And with Newcastle’s defensive struggles showing no sign of easing, how deep do their problems run? 10 for £100. Stay 10 nights, get £100 back in Hotels.com Cash. UK Customers Only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luis Enrique and PSG keep up their impressive record against English clubs as they beat Manchester City in one of the games of the season so far, are they favourites to get that third consecutive Champions League title? Michael Carrick comes under increasing pressure as his side fall to an in-form Atlético Madrid. There were signs of improvement, but with a trip to bitter rivals Leeds coming up this weekend, is it already a must-win game for Carrick? Plus, Gary, Alan and Micah wax lyrical about Lamine Yamal. Could his sensational start to the season put him on course to win the Ballon d’Or? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the worst start to a Premier League season in their history, is Michael Carrick the right man to turn Manchester United around? Do United still belong among football’s elite, or has the club lost its status as one of the game’s true giants? And are the Glazers solely to blame for the decline of one of British sport’s greatest dynasties? Gary is joined by Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic’s Manchester United correspondent and co-host of the Talk of the Devils podcast, to dissect the problems plaguing Old Trafford. From ownership, management and recruitment they explore why Manchester United have struggled to recapture their former glory since Ferguson’s departure, and what it will take to restore the club to the top of English and European football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester City thump Liverpool at Anfield after a controversial red card to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season. But with the 115 charges hanging over the club and the case still unresolved, is City's dominance becoming a bad look for the Premier League? What does it mean for the competition when City sit top of the pile while the legal battle continues? Gary, Micah and Alan also turn their attention to two clubs in crisis, Manchester United and Spurs. With results and performances falling short, how much longer can Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi afford to struggle before the pressure really starts to mount? 10 for £100. Stay 10 nights, get £100 back in Hotels.com Cash. UK Customers Only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fulham and England Under-21 midfielder Josh King joins TRIF for an illuminating conversation on what it was like to be called up by Thomas Tuchel for the World Cup training camp, how he's adjusting to life as one of Fulham's talismen under Alvaro Arbeloa and his ambitions to follow in the footsteps of Elliott Anderson, Rio Ngumoha, and Alex Scott by breaking into the senior squad There's also reflection from Gary, Alan and Micah on their Under-21 days including a remarkable claim from Big Meeks... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England rounded off a hugely positive international break with a 3-0 win over Czechia. Thomas Tuchel’s side scored 15 goals across the three matches, but beyond the scorelines, it was the style of play that really caught the eye. When was the last time England played with this much energy, intensity and positivity? And can Tuchel take this team to the next level by finally getting them competing with and beating the biggest nations? Gary, Alan, Micah and TRIF’s England reporter Rob Jones also discuss the Cristiano Ronaldo saga and ask whether it’s finally time for the Portuguese legend to hang up his boots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Alex Scott’s impressive first start give Tuchel some selection dilemmas? Is Jude Bellingham England’s best midfielder of this century? How has Anthony Gordon established himself as one of the Three Lions key players? Gary, Alan and Micah discuss the biggest highlights of England’s emphatic win in Croatia and why it’s so important for them to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals to keep testing themselves against the best. 10 for £100. Stay 10 nights, get £100 back in Hotels.com Cash. UK Customers Only Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Q&A episode, Gary, Alan and special guest Miguel Delaney - Chief Football Writer for The Independent answer your questions on the biggest story in Premier League history. Are the public right to condemn City before the appeal has even played out or should we be more cautious, given what happened with the old UEFA case against City? What punishment will City actually get? A fine? A points deduction spread across multiple seasons? Expulsion? And if they do get expelled, what happens to the relegation places? Do two go down, or is it still three? Could City’s owners face retrospective fit and proper person test and could they be forced to sell? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Premier League has published its findings in the long-running case involving Manchester City’s 115 charges, detailing allegations that the club used “sham contracts” and “disguised funding schemes” involving commercial partners to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs. Manchester City have consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintain that the charges are unfounded. The club has until 2 October to appeal the verdict. Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards discuss the latest revelations, what the verdict actually says, the significance of the findings around Manchester City’s commercial arrangements, and what could happen next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why was England’s performance against Spain much more encouraging than how things ended at the World Cup? Who was ‘star of the show’ for England yet again? What’s next for Cole Palmer and his England future? Gary, Alan and Micah are joined by Rob Jones to dissect England’s defeat against Spain. The group also discuss how the recent news around Man City’s charges will be affecting their current players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is a positive result against Spain the perfect way for England to move on from the disappointment of their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina? Is Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad an admission that things went wrong in the summer? Gary, Alan & Micah pick their England starting XI to face Spain on Saturday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Gianni Infantino still be FIFA President after the next elections in March? How much damage has this actually done to him? Do FIFA need the extra money? Gary is joined by Martyn Ziegler, the man who broke the news about Infantino’s plans to sell stakes in the World Cup, to discuss how he found out about the story and whether there is too much power in the hands of one man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have Brighton shown they’re ready to mix it with the Premier League big guns? Are we seeing more carefree attacking football this season? How do Chelsea fix their defensive problems? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the ongoing troubles at Tottenham Hotspur and the relief Coventry will be feeling after getting off the mark this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester United's tricky start to the season continued on Wednesday night after they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton as Michael Carrick admitted his side have a "number of problems" Gary, Alan and Micah give us their take on where it's going wrong for United as well as discussion of the developing situation around 15-year-old academy starlet JJ Gabriel who has let it be known that he wants to leave Old Trafford. How has such a young player found himself at the centre of the story and should we ask questions of those advising him? Plus there's another wonderkid in the headlines as Arsenal's Max Dowman scored two against Ipswich, and Liverpool got themselves a much needed win against Spurs thanks to an absolute beauty of a strike from Dominik Szoboszlai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary is joined by Julien Laurens for a European football special. They begin in France, where PSG have made a poor start to their Ligue 1 campaign. Will they recover and run away with the title, or have they left the door open for the chasing pack? In Spain, Barcelona have made a perfect start to the season. But with José Mourinho’s Real Madrid side hunting them down, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham are already firing, can the Catalans stay ahead? In Germany, Harry Kane is among the goals again, but can Borussia Dortmund mount a serious Bundesliga challenge? Finally, Gary and Julien give their predictions on who will win the Champions League. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did the officials get it so wrong with Erling Haaland’s winning goal? Should Phil Foden have been sent off? Where do we go with VAR from here? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the other big talking points from the weekend, including Arsenal’s resilient performance against Sunderland and how Hull continue to impress after exposing Chelsea’s weaknesses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The English clubs are off to a flier, with all five picking up three points in the Champions League group phase. Erling Haaland grabbed another brace to take his Champions League tally to 59 goals in 59 games, but who is the best pure goalscorer: Haaland, Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappé? With new signing Bradley Barcola in the mix, what is Liverpool’s best front three when everyone is fit? And Arsenal have started the season where they left off, but with Martin Ødegaard in electric form, can they become as dangerous going forward as they are defensively? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the other favourites Barcelona and PSG. Can any of the English clubs challenge them this season? The boys make their Champions League predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We hear so much about SCR, PSR and all sorts of financial rules and regulations but what does it all mean and which clubs voted for it in the first place? Host of the Price of Football podcast Kieran Maguire joins Gary and Alan to break it all down and give us his take on whether the rules are unfair on those outside the established "big six" Plus there's Kieran's view on when we'll finally hear a verdict in the Manchester City case and he has some advice for Micah with regards to investing in a non-league club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal make it three wins from three and are looking every bit like champions as they ease past Chelsea at the Emirates. Manchester City join them on nine points, but Enzo Maresca’s side have been far less convincing, and next weekend’s Manchester derby could tell us plenty about where both sides really stand. Gary, Alan & Micah also discuss Alexander Isak’s much-needed brace, while Hull City are emerging as arguably the story of the season so far.. the only Premier League side yet to concede. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What were the biggest difficulties of taking charge of a Premier League club at the age of 31? Why are Brighton so successful, despite regularly having to sell some of their best players? How important is the style of football your team play? Gary Lineker meets up with Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler to discuss his rapid journey to being a Premier League manager and the philosophies and man-management style that have underpinned that adventure. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New season, new Premier League draft. Gary, Alan, Micah, and Rob Jones, compete to build the best team possible. Will anyone other than Erling Haaland go first? Will Alan load up on Newcastle players? Will Micah learn his lessons from last season when he blew his first pick on Fulham's Antonee Robinson? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary, Alan & Micah get stuck into the Premier League weekend as Xabi Alonso's Chelsea continued to impress with a 4-3 win over Brighton, with Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer starring in front of the watching Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel. Spurs may have spent over £300m in the summer but they continue to struggle as Matthias Jaissle's Newcastle did a number on them on Saturday, plus we saw Manchester City really kick into gear at Palace, and there are concerns for Liverpool who remain winless after the 2-2 draw with Forest. The boys also discussed Manchester United's 5-2 hammering of Ipswich which featured the first proper VAR controversy of the season with Harry Maguire's handball in the buildup to what was a pivotal moment in the match. And did we see an early relegation six pointer at Coventry? It's two from two for Hull City but how long can it last? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who will be top four? Who’s heading for the drop? Which teams will surprise and which will disappoint? In this special episode, Gary, Alan, and Micah look ahead to the new Premier League Season. They evaluate every one of the twenty Premier League clubs, predicting where they will finish. r Buy tickets to watch the Rest is Football live show at: therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What really happened in Argentina to stop Gary going on Top Gear? Micah reveals his dream of becoming a Manager or Owner of a non-league football club. Will Arsenal sign Julian Alvarez in this transfer window, and what does it mean for the rest of the league if they get the Atletico Madrid star man? Gary, Alan & Micah also discuss why the very best players in the World continue to choose Barcelona and Real Madrid over the Premier League Buy tickets to watch the Rest is Football live show at: therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary, Alan & Micah are back with a bang as we witnessed one of the most intriguing opening weekends we’ve seen in the Premier League. Manchester United suffered a shock defeat to newly promoted Hull, Aston Villa and Spurs were both battered by Brighton and Brentford, Manchester City staged a dramatic late comeback against Bournemouth, and there was a thriller at St James’ Park. Meanwhile, the Champions Arsenal produced a dominant performance on Friday. The boys also discussed the new SCR rules and whether they are catered towards the elite. Is the Premier League becoming less competitive as a result? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, and Joe Cole reflect on Spain beating Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final in a match that saw De La Fuente's side dominate Messi's Argentina from start to finish We also look back at our best moments of the tournament with our intrepid England reporter Rob Jones Thanks for listening to The Rest is Football throughout this World Cup, we'll be back in August ahead of the new Premier League season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Joe Hart and Emma Hayes reflect further on England's World Cup exit now that we've got a bit of distance since the game - including Emma's view as a coach on Tuchel's tactical decisions and we get Joe's view on Jude Bellingham's reaction to Jordan Pickford's effort to save the first Argentina goal Plus we look ahead to the final on Sunday between Spain and Argentina Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England are out of the World Cup after a 2-1 loss to Argentina. Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Joe Cole, Ally McCoist and Patrick Vieira react to yet another major tournament heartbreak for the Three Lions and look at the hard to understand approach from Thomas Tuchel after his side went 1-0 up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Joe Cole and Mikel John Obi preview a pair of mouthwatering World Cup semi-finals starting with France v Spain - will France's firepower be able to crack the steely Spanish defence? Will Lamine Yamal have his moment and see his side through to another final? And of course there's England v Argentina, will the brilliance of Messi be too much for England or will our strength going forward see us over the line? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Micah Richards, Joe Cole and Ally McCoist react to England beating Norway 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-final thanks to yet more brilliance from Jude Bellingham. How long can we turn in substandard performances while relying on our stars to bail us out? We also hear from Alan Shearer who has particularly strident views on Djed Spence being denied a penalty by VAR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and Joe Cole reflect on the first quarter-final as France beat Morocco 2-0 thanks to another impressive showing from Kylian Mbappe. Can any of the other contenders stop Didier Deschamps' side? There's also a look at the surprising decision by FIFA to extend the suspension of England's Jarell Quansah to two matches following his red card against Mexico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and Joe Cole react to Argentina's late comeback as they beat Egypt 3-2 in a game which featured yet another goal, and an assist, from Messi and a contentious VAR call that left Egypt up in arms We also look at Switzerland progressing via penalties against Colombia in a shootout which continued the trend of centre-backs stepping up and missing their penalties Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker sits down with the Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani to talk soccer, his Arsenal origin story and get his views on the impact the World Cup is having in his city and beyond They also talk ticket prices, hydration breaks, and some of the wider issues surrounding the tournament Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Micah Richards, Brad Friedel, Joe Hart, Alex Aljoe and Aitch react to a famous England win over Mexico at the Azteca. They pick out huge performances from the likes of Jordan Pickford, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon as they overcame a hostile atmosphere and a red card to finish the match 3-2 victors. After defeating Brazil, all eyes turn to Norway who await Thomas Tuchel and his men in Miami for the Quarter Finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Joe Cole and Christopher Eccleston discuss a World Cup classic, as Cape Verde took Argentina to extra time before finally losing 3-2. They also look at Thomas Tuchel's preparations for their knockout game against Mexico on Sunday and the tactical matchups that will be pivotal to England's chances of victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Micah Richards, Joe Cole, Brad Friedel and Rob Beckett react to England's 2-1 win over DR Congo thanks to a late brace from Harry Kane - should we be worried about that performance or is relying on your world class players to get you over the line perfectly acceptable? Micah and Gary have different views... We also look at the USA's victory over Bosnia with Brad and assess their chances of progressing further in the competition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Emma Hayes, Millie Bright and Joe Cole break down a big World Cup shock as a disappointing Germany were sent home by Paraguay on penalties. They also reflect on Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Japan, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men overturning an early goal to put the South Americans through to the Round of 16. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards are joined by five-time Ryder cup winner Ian Poulter and our England reporter Rob Jones to reflect on England's 2-0 win over Panama that saw them top the group thanks to another big performance from Jude Bellingham We also get the thoughts of Harry Maguire after his former teammate Harry Kane broke Gary's record and became England's all-time top scorer at the World Cup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England's second group game curse struck again as they laboured to a 0-0 draw with Ghana in Boston. Gary Lineker is joined by Micah Richards, Harry Maguire, Joe Cole and Patrick Vieira for reaction to a disappointing performance from Thomas Tuchel's side. There's also a look at Cristiano Ronaldo joining the party as he scored twice in Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Micah Richards, Joe Cole, Ally McCoist, Joe Hart and Mo Gilligan reflect on Lamine Yamal inspiring Spain to a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia and they also look at the amazing scenes in Miami as Cape Verde fought to a 2-2 draw with Uruguay to keep their dream of qualifying for the knockout stage alove. Mo also has tales of playing alongside Roberto Carlos and Cafu at Soccer Aid and Joe Hart reveals what it's like to face down Messi one-on-one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker is joined by Joe Cole, Harry Maguire, Patrick Vieira and Sex Education star Asa Butterfield to reflect on Scotland's narrow defeat to an impressive Morocco side - where does that leave Steve Clarke's men heading into their final group game with Brazil? Speaking of Brazil, they put three past Haiti to keep pace with Morocco, with Matheus Cunha bagging a brace. There's also a look at USA's dominant win and performance over Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Harry Maguire, Joe Cole and World Cup winner Patrick Vieira reflect on a brilliant night for England as they opened their campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane were at the heart of it all but they also look at Tuchel's selection in defence, his use of the substitutes, and the stern words he had for the team as they went in level at the break. Plus we look at Cristiano Ronaldo failing to impress as Portugal limped to a 1-1 draw with DR Congo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Joe Cole were joined on Netlifx in New York by Harry Maguire who lifted the lid on the conversation where Thomas Tuchel delivered the news that he wasn't in the World Cup squad and how it happened over facetime! There's also discussion of England's chances, the importance of Jordan Henderson, and what Jude Bellingham is really like behind the scenes Plus the team reflects on the amazing performance by Cape Verde in battling to a 0-0 draw with European Champions Spain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices