The Big Interview With Graham Hunter

Hola!Here's the audio version of my weekly column for ESPN FC. EnjoyG 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

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Harry Redknapp from season one.In part one we hear about Harry’s beginnings in football, the daftest move West Ham ever made, how not to sign Ian Wright, and what happens when you pull a fast one on Barry Fry.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel 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

I've interviewed Ilkay Gundogan at length twice - once for this podcast - and I've spent the past 12 months learning the reasons why his arrival in Barcelona became imperative for his new club and its manager, Xavi. For ESPNFC, here's what I know - why Gundogan can be the bridge from pragmatic title winners to a tougher, smarter European competitor, and what makes him the perfect lieutenant for his new boss. 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

At the end of gruelling season, there are some voices I can't shake. So here, for ESPNFC, are stories of my conversations with Pep Guardiola, Aitana Bonmati, Dani Carvajal, Unai Simon, Frenkie de Jong and Rodri - the last two with stark warnings about the repurcussions of this 11-month marathon. 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

Today’s story comes from Adam Lallana, who speaks about watching his Brighton team-mate Alexis Mac Allister grace the World Cup and set up that amazing final goal.Listen to the original full episodes:Adam Lallana: 'I've been told I don't play like an English footballer – I'm proud to have Spanish blood in me' - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastAdam Lallana: 'If you understand football like Alexis Mac Allister, you can play anywhere' - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast 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

Real Madrid were not prepared for, nor are they equipped to cope with, the loss of their Ballon d'Or centre-forward, Karim Benzema. They need to recruit brilliantly to keep the show on the road - and after dropping around 75 million from their wage bill, they are in a strong position to do so. Expect an A-lister. The briefings here in Spain have featured Mbappe, Neymar, Haaland and Kane. This, for ESPNFC, is what I know right now, and how I think it will affect the biggest decision of Madrid's summer. 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!We posted this episode ahead of Real Madrid v Liverpool in the Champions League final in May 2022 - but we thought it'd be worth a repost after he announced his departure from Real Madrid.Myself and Pete discuss where Karim Benzema lands in the pantheon of Madrid forwards. How does he compare with Ronaldos 7 & 9, Raul or the forwards who made this trophy the property of Madrid in its early years?EnjoyG 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

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Brendan Rodgers from season five.Brendan recently parted company with Leicester City, so it’s worth recalling the sheer brilliance of his influence on the Foxes when he arrived. Brendan had honed his philosophy as a budding coach via regular educational visits to Spain. We hear about Samuel Eto’o, Luis Suárez, John Terry, Scott Brown and James Maddison. And there’s moving testimony about what it was like taking over at Leicester in the wake of the tragic death of the club’s beloved owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel 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

Today’s story comes from Martin O’Neill, who evokes captaining Northern Ireland during their glorious run at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.Listen to the original full episodes:https://shows.acast.com/thebiginterviewwithgrahamhunter/episodes/martin-oneill-winninghttps://shows.acast.com/thebiginterviewwithgrahamhunter/episodes/martin-oneill-european-trophy 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

Today’s story comes from Martin Braithwaite, who explains how taking a humble approach to skills development meant that he would hang on every word the likes of past masters Henrik Larsson uttered.Listen to the original full episodes:Martin Braithwaite: The Hypnotist of Barcelona - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastMartin Braithwaite: In the Court of King Leo - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast 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

Graham and Pete answer your questions on: Mismanagement sending Malaga into the mire; who will be staying and going at Rayo; and why the power balance in Madrid could be shifting.  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!This month's Q & A focuses on the racist abuse suffered by Vinicius Jnr at the Mestalla last night (Sunday).We also mark Xavi's end-of-season report card, touch on a possible Messi return and say farewell to Sergio Busquets.EnjoyG 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

Today’s story comes from Harry Kewell, who claims his old Leeds team-mate David Batty was the world’s original and best holding midfielder.Listen to the original full episodes:https://shows.acast.com/thebiginterviewwithgrahamhunter/episodes/harry-kewell-fight-a-week-at-leedshttps://shows.acast.com/thebiginterviewwithgrahamhunter/episodes/harry-kewell-ange 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

Barcelona are champions of La Liga – and in the moment of the greatest triumph of his young managerial career, Xavi decided to talk about his own self-doubt. There have been plenty of times during this campaign when that inner demon would have had no shortage of fuel. It has been a strange season, there has been a lot wrong at Camp Nou, but throughout it all Xavi has solved problems and improved players. Here, for ESPNFC, is my snapshot of the man whose relationship with his role at FC Barcelona has never been as simple as it seems.  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

Today’s story comes from Jason McAteer, who recalls how his boss at Bolton, the no-nonsense Bruce Rioch, commanded him to return his fancy new sports car to the dealership and buy a Vauxhall instead. Changed days.Listen to the original full episodes:Jason McAteer: Bruce Rioch's School of Life - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastJason McAteer: From Kaka to Keane - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast 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

Today’s story comes from Ilkay Gundogan, who describes Borussia Dortmund’s epic run in the 2013 Champions League and how he doesn’t have any regrets about losing out to Bayern Munich in the final.Listen to the original full episodes:Ilkay Gundogan: My Champions League obsession - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastIlkay Gundogan: Let me tell you about Pep - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast 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

Today’s story comes from Rainer Bonhof, who describes his friendship with Germany and Borussia Monchengladbach team-mate Berti Vogts, who epitomised the German winning mentality.Listen to the original full episodes:Rainer Bonhof: How to Win the World Cup - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastRainer Bonhof: Gerd Muller, King of the Penalty Box - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast 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

Both Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola will be remembered as two of the all-time Champions League icons. And yet both have a love-hate relationship with the 'Cup with the Big Ears' - climaxing with last year's meeting between the two teams who drew in the first leg of their semi-final rematch last night. Here, for ESPNFC, is my story on the ingredients that make this tie a distillation of the very best of this wonderful competition. 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

Today’s story comes from Darren Anderton, who describes the incredible team spirit that imbued England’s Euro ’96 squad.Listen to the original full episodes:Darren Anderton: Fathers, Sons and Football - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastDarren Anderton: Sheringham, Euro 96 & Eng-Arg 98 - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast 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

Today’s story comes from Martin Braithwaite, whose father’s unyielding demands made sense to him when he became a successful footballer.Listen to the original full episodes:Martin Braithwaite: The Hypnotist of Barcelona - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastMartin Braithwaite: In the Court of King Leo - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast 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