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Since 2011, every Christmas we've celebrated the season with our special advent calendar episode of the podcast. Join us as we open up all 24 doors and discuss the people and subjects we think will be the biggest talking points (for us at least) in football in 2025.
This year we're delighted to welcome our guests Chris Nee, Daniel Storey, David Squires, Ian King and Sam Whyte to help us open the doors. Merry Christmas!
For more information on all our special guests, links to their websites, podcasts, books and social media, and a full list of all the subjects behind the doors opened on this advent calendar, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Lots of festive cheer this weekend with Man City's comedy roadshow heading to Villa Park and managerless Southampton facing Fulham. Also, Barca play Atléti in their home town rather than Miami. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
The upcoming Manchester derby finds both teams in disarray. For the red half that's business as usual but for City this is something they've not experienced in a long while. Could it produce the best derby in years?
Also this week, as an extra yuletide treat for our listeners, we've included a newly remastered version of our 2007 production of Dicken's Christmas Carol with a football twist.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?The Manchester derby. And some other stuff. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
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FIFA's evaluation report of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup has given them the highest score ever, despite the fact that most of the stadiums have yet to be built, and one of the host cities doesn't yet exist.
Having already made huge steps in the control of golf and boxing, what will Saudi Arabia's growing ties to FIFA mean for the future of football?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?It's the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, with Liverpool looking worthy favourites for the title and Sean Dyche feeling the pressure. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
In Germany, a number of football clubs including St Pauli, Freiburg and Werder Bremen have left the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in favour of the less toxic alternative BlueSky. With many content creators doing the same will British clubs follow?
This week we're joined by our old friend, football writer and social media expert Chris Nee to talk about the value of social media to football clubs at all levels and why they may be reluctant to make a complete switch to a new platform.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Things don't get any easier for City as they try to break their fug away at table leaders Liverpool. There's also the FA Cup second round, Der Klassiker and the Copa Libertadores final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Lee Carsley's time as interim head coach of England has come to an end having successfully won promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League. Next step, the World Cup!
Also this week it emerged that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have lodged legal notices to seek compensation should Manchester City be found guilty of breaching Premier League regulations - the hearing for which is still taking place. How ugly is the battle ahead going to be, and what collatoral damage could there be?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?This weekend City face one of the sides looking to get compensation from them as they host Spurs. Also, Rúbin Amorim takes charge of Manchester United for the first time, away to Ipswich. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Premier League referee David Coote has found himself in hot water after unguarded comments he made four years ago regarding former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp surfaced on social media this week. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the recording of the conversation and its subsequent release to the public, it seems unlikely that Coote will be able to continue as a top level referee, in this country at least.
Full-time professional referees were only introduced in England in 2001 but with no frame of reference to go by are we still unsure of what our expectations should be of professional refereeing? Is it anything like what we saw this weekend with both Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver picked out by name in disparaging chants from the stands.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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Last week, Rúben Amorim was confirmed as the head coach of Manchester United. He will be the first to hold that title, all those previously in charge of first team duties were known as managers. Many fans give little thought to the difference between the two titles but does this change signify progress in the approach of the new owners.
In the summer, United had to pay Newcastle big money to bring in Dan Ashworth to work his magic as sporting director. This week, it's reported that Nottingham Forest have offered Edu three times what Arsenal are paying him in a similar role. With it now commonplace to see clubs effectively paying transfers fees for the services of sporting directors, has the age of the traditional football manager passed?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Can Forest extend their winning run at home to Newcastle? On Saturday night, Villa have it all to do to get their season back on track as they travel to table-leaders Liverpool. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Eric ten Hag has become the latest in a line of managers to leave Manchester United in as parlous a state as he found it in. Sporting's much-fancied, 39-year-old head coach Rúben Amorim looks to be the next one to try his hand where so many others have failed.
Have the new ownership at the club seen something in the young Portugese coach that ten Hag lacked, or are they just doing the same as before in the hope of a different outcome?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Whoever is in charge of United on Sunday faces a tough match against an in-form Chelsea. Maybe start on Monday, Rúben. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Thomas Tuchel's appointment as England manager has been largely seen as a progressive step by the FA to push an undoubtedly talented England side that little bit closer to success. But it does raise the question as to why there were so few eligible English coaches.
Also this week, we look at the motivation behind FIFA's decision to allow Lionel Messi's Inter Miami into next summer's expanded Club World Cup before the biggest prize of the MLS season has been won.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Saturday night sees high-scoring Barcelona against undefeated Real Madrid in El Clásico. On Sunday, Arsenal look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season at home to top of the table Liverpool. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Thomas Tuchel has agreed to take over as England manager. On this week's podcast (admittedly recorded 24 hours before the announcement), we discuss his suitability to the role, given his somewhat chequered history in high profile jobs. Are we ready for a German England manager?
Also this week, we discuss Jurgen Klopp's decision to end his sabbatical early and join the Red Bull group of clubs as their head of global football. Terry, for one, isn't happy.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Tuchel and Klopp's old Premier League clubs meet this weekend, with Liverpool hosting Chelsea in what is being seen as Arne Slot's first big test. In the Championship, one of Klopp's new employers' many clubs, RB Dirty Leeds, are in action on Friday night against Sheffield United. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Two games into the new “Swiss model” Champions League and people are already forming opinions about it. A lack of jeopardy and an unfamiliar format sit uncomfortably with some, especially for those who already had a problem with UEFA's big money competition.
Are defeats for Bayern, PSG, Real and Atleti on match-day two a sign that the new system is working or that the usual contenders can take their foot off the gas?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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Come the start October, can fans really judge how the season ahead will pan out? Crystal Palace fans - like Terry - still waiting for their first league win, will hope not, but for Manchester United fans this season is looking horribly familiar.
Will Erik ten Hag still be in his job when his side faces one of his predecessors, Jose Mourinho, in the Europa League at the end of the month? And if he's not in charge of United, who will be?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Both Palace and United have tough games this weekend, with the Eagles hosting Liverpool and ten Hag's side going to Villa Park. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
AS Roma and Everton both currently sit in the lower reaches of the Deloitte Football Money League - the list of the top 30 richest clubs in the world. They could soon be owned by the same company. How far should multi-club ownership be allowed to spread?
UEFA rules that forbid teams that share the same owner from taking part in the same competition have already failed with Manchester City and Girona both in this season's Champions League while the Red Bull-run sides Leipzig and Salzburg have played each other in previous seasons.
pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_586.mp3 For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
What's in the Weekend Boxset?How will City fare without Rodri for the remainder of the season? They start with a stiff test away to Newcastle. Conor Gallagher plays his first Madrid derby but will Jude Bellingham be fit enough to face him? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
The new format, expanded Champions League starts this week but will it be any better than before? We compare the opening week's fixtures to the those of last season's group stage to assess if the competition really is delivering more interesting fixtures, as claimed by UEFA.
In the UK at least there will be more options for fans to watch with Amazon showing a game each week up to the semi-finals. There's also the welcome return of a highlights show on a free to air channel with the BBC picking up where ITV left off in 2018.
We also discuss a couple of stories that have emerged over the past week regarding Euro 2028. Firstly the scare-story that did the rounds regarding England's possible expulsion, and also the issue of the government pulling funding for the renovation of Casement Park, Northern Ireland's sole venue.
pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_585.mp3 For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
What's in the Weekend Boxset?The WSL kicks off this weekend with champions Chelsea starting life after Emma Hayes with a home tie against Aston Villa. There's also an Arsenal v Manchester City double-header on Sunday with the men playing at the Etihad and the women playing at athe Emirates. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
September sees the start of a new improved Nations League and the start of the new "Swiss-model" European club competitions, both of which are far easier to understand than Chelsea's transfer policy.
We also get the chance this week to check out a new look England side with Lee Carsley in interim control. Jack Grealish returns to the squad and is joined by a number of young players from Carsley's time as the coach of the Euros winning U21s.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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The former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76.
In the early 2000s, he took his England side to three consecutive quarter finals at international tournaments, but his time in the role was dogged by criticism of both his professional decisions and those in his private life. It was a time when England had a wealth of talent and English football was at a high point of power and influence. It was also a time when tabloid journalism in the UK was at its most powerful and at its worst.
That time also saw the start of the forerunner of this podcast, the football satire website The Onion Bag. Graham and Terry share fond memories of the time and how Sven Goran Eriksson helped define a pivotal era in football.
pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_583.mp3 Also this week, having failed to reach an agreement with a broadcaster in the UK, the French top flight, Ligue 1, has decided to go it alone, selling their coverage direct to the consumer. Is there any room for yet another subscription service?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Arne Slot and Erik ten Hag face each other for the first since a firey (literally) five-goal Klassieker, as Liverpool head to Old Trafford. In the Stadio Olimpico it should be an emotional atmosphere as Sven's former club Lazio host Milan. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Raheem Sterling isn't happy with being sidelined but with more of his fellow long-contracted colleagues outside of the 20-man match-day squad than in it, is this just how life must be at the club?
There's obviously some kind of plan going on at Chelsea but what's the end game? How many more hotels can they sell to themselves before they fall foul of the Premier League's financial restrictions?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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What's in the Weekend Boxset?Can Mikel Arteta finally get one over his predecessor Unai Emery at Villa Park? The Bundesliga kicks off with St Pauli's return to the top flight hosting Heidenheim, while in Italy Antonio Conte's Napoli attempt to improve things against Bologna after a big defeat in their season opener. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
We're back for our sixteenth season. Graham and Jan discuss a quiet transfer window and Lee Carsley's appointment as caretaker England manager. And after an important summer for football in Germany, Terry chats with friend of the show and Cologne resident Archie Rhind-Tutt on the legacy of Euro 2024.
You can read Terry's preview of the upcoming Bundesliga on our blog.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_581.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset?The Premier League kicks off with Chelsea hosting City and Ipswich's return to the Premier League at home to Liverpool. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. -
Euro 2024 is over, Spain are champions, England have lost another final, and now Gareth Soutgate has announced that he is stepping down as England manager.
A day can be a long time in football and having recorded this episode yesterday evening, before this morning's announcement, some of this episode is already out of date. We've left in our musings on whether Southgate will stay or go but we have added an extra piece with Terry and Graham giving their reaction to the news - so be sure to listen to the very end.
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
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We're down to the last eight and England are still there. Can they get past the Swiss? Will the Netherlands or Turkey be waiting in the semi-final? Can the hosts stop Spain? Will The Ronaldo Show get another airing against France?
For more information on the podcast and links related to the subjects discussed, check out the Show Notes on our blog.
pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_579.mp3 - Se mer
