The Big Interview With Graham Hunter

Napoli’s Serie A triumph put me in mind of my chat with their former centre-half Federico Fernandez, who himself tasted glory in the sky blue. The Argentine reminisces on scoring a double against Bayern Munich, winning the Coppa Italia and how the craziest of football cities still belongs to Diego Armando Maradona.Listen to the full original episodes:Federico Fernandez: From Ayala to Veron - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastFederico Fernandez: Dinner with Cavani - 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 Walter Smith, who describes Dundee United’s 1984 European Cup semi-final against Roma, an event marred by hostility and skulduggery.Listen to a classic version of the original episode:Classic Big Interview: Walter Smith - 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 Simon Stainrod, who describes spotting Ousmane Dembele when we was just a Rennes academy starlet and knowing that he was watching sheer class.Listen to the original full episode:Simon Stainrod: Last of the Bullfighters - 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

Since José Luis Mendilibar took over at Sevilla at the trough of a crisis, they are unbeaten, and have taken down Manchester United, Valencia and Villareall. They have done so amid a spate of injuries and suspension and at a time when the entire city is in the middle of a massive, three-week party that culminates with the traditional Feria D’Avril. Here’s how the Saboteur of Sevilla is doing it – but first, more news of the issue of racism in LaLiga stadia, and its highest-profile victim, Vinicius Junior.  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 Uwe Rosler, who tells how as a promising youngster in East Germany he was picked up by the dreaded Stasi and pressured to spy on his Lokomotive Leipzig team-mates.Listen to the original full episodes:Uwe Rösler: From Stasi Survivor to City Slicker - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastUwe Rösler: The Cult Hero of Maine Road - 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 Stephen Glass, who talks about how Aberdeen players who couldn’t stand Scott Brown when he was Celtic’s combative captain came to love the man after he arrived at Pittodrie.Listen to the original full episodes:Stephen Glass: The Long Road Home - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastStephen Glass: Scott Brown and the Leadership Gene - 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 Stuart Baxter, who explains how on earth he managed to persuade the mighty, magnificent Michael Laudrup to come to disaster-torn Kobe.Listen to the original full episodes:Stuart Baxter: Rebuilding AIK, Resurrecting Kobe - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastStuart Baxter: Working with Laudrup and Larsson - 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

Messi back to Barca? I didn't think this story had much legs - until I was briefed about its point of origin. Who is the chief choreographer of the idea of a Last Dance for the greatest footballer in the world? Why, it's none other than Lionel Messi, esquire. Here's everything I know about where the story is, as reported to ESPNFC. 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 part two of my engaging conversation with Manuel Pellegrini we hear how during the South American phase of his managerial career the Chilean learned to control his temper and develop emotional intelligence – although a little dose of the hairdryer treatment doesn’t go amiss from time to time.We learn how a clash of ideas with Real Madrid’s president caused a departure which led to three happy years at Malaga. And there’s great stuff about current club Real Betis – working with wing legend Joaquin and winning the Copa del Rey. Like veteran Joaquin, 69-year-old Manuel is incredibly demanding of himself to maintain peak condition; every day, he says, he treats as the first of his career.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 caught up with Chilean managerial legend Manuel Pellegrini in beautiful Seville and spoke about his Atlantic crossing to sample the different footballing styles that Italy, France and England had to offer. The English game wasn’t as primitive as some might claim – thanks to the innovating force of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and the adaptations of Fergie at Manchester United. Also in part one, the importance of an open, enquiring, cultivated mind, and working with talents like Riquelme, Senna, Pires and Cazorla at Villareal.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 Vinny Samways, who describes swapping a career in England for the searing heat of the Canary Islands where he excelled with Las Palmas.Listen to the full original episodes:Vinny Samways: Viva Las Palmas - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastVinny Samways: Ossie’s Pivote - 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 Sven-Göran Eriksson, who recalls how club president Paolo Mantovani was instructed by his star turns Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli to bring him to Sampdoria.Listen to the original full episodes:Sven-Göran Eriksson: Lazio's scudetto, 20 years on - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastSven-Göran Eriksson: Mancini - The Art and the Fury - 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 Simon Stainrod, who reminisces about his happy days at Falkirk – where he is forever a club legend. He started playing for just a quid a week under old-school manager Jim Jefferies.Listen to the original full episode:Simon Stainrod: Last of the Bullfighters - 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

HolaHere's the audio version of my latest ESPN column, to get you in the mood for tonight's Real Madrid v Chelsea Champions League quartert-final first leg. 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 Jimmy Bullard from season five.It was back at the start of the pandemic lockdown that I chatted with Jimmy, who was surviving thanks to his love for landscape gardening. This gifted former footballer is now an insightful and ebullient media personality, and he describes signing for boyhood heroes West Ham, the genius of Paulo Di Canio, Pep, Zizou and Juan Román Riquelme, and gives keen analysis about how speed of thought sets the greats apart from the rest.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 Uwe Rosler, who tells how Pep Guardiola revolutionised German football, and also pays tribute to Paul Walsh, his erstwhile strike partner at Manchester City.Listen to the original full episodes:Uwe Rösler: From Stasi Survivor to City Slicker - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastUwe Rösler: The Cult Hero of Maine Road - 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 Stephen Glass, who talks about how Tony Mowbray instilled an indomitable sense of confidence in a Hibernian squad brimming with youthful talent.Listen to the original full episodes:Stephen Glass: The Long Road Home - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastStephen Glass: Scott Brown and the Leadership Gene - 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 my old pal Stuart Baxter, who describes taking over Vissel Kobe as manager just after the terrible Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995 had devastated the Japanese club’s home.Listen to the original full episodes:Stuart Baxter: Rebuilding AIK, Resurrecting Kobe - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastStuart Baxter: Working with Laudrup and Larsson - 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

HolaHere's my latest column for ESPN. 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 Shaun Maloney, recorded when the Scot was assistant at Belgium. Shaun explains how to work with bona fide – but surprisingly humble – superstars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Edin Hazard & Romelu Lukaku.Listen to the full episode:Shaun Maloney: Wigan's Great Escape - 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