The Linesmen Football Podcast

A report from Ernst & Young (EY) highlights the economic benefits of the Premier League, including the generation of £7.6bn for the economy and a tax collection of £1.4bn from the players. (00:06) EY’s 32-page report makes for an interesting read (03:59) Premier League provides an economic benefit of £7.6bn (05:47) Players’ salaries generate £1,4bn per year in taxes (08:10) Average Premier League player contributes £2.8m in tax (09:26) 840% increase in economic benefit from the Premier...

Ralf Rangnick is the new Interim, Interim Boss at Man United. We take a look at the innovator of the ‘gegenpress’, discuss his influence on contemporary German managers, his bare trophy cabinet and reveal some of the best footballers he has uncovered. (00:08) Roy Keane is off Jimmy’s Christmas card list (12:05) Ralf Rangnick is the new Interim, Interim Boss (16:37) Dynamo Kyiv is to thank for the ‘gegenpress’ (20:30) Klopp has developed and improved the ‘gegenpress’ (24:22) Rangnick’s trophy...

As COP26 takes place in Scotland, we look at football's carbon footprint, and discuss some of the steps Premier League clubs are taking to tackle climate change. Edible coffee cups, hedgehog sanctuaries, and bamboo kits ensue… (00:11) Helping the environment with carbon negative beer (03:00) FIFA’s behaviour is not climate-friendly (05:00) We rival Qatar with our model Ferrari’s (12:30) Going vegan at stadiums could help the planet (14:50) Granny Smith’s at games? (16:55) Eat your coffee...

In part two of our DNA series, we look at Liverpool and discuss the magic of You'll Never Walk Alone, their aura in Europe, and why Jurgen Klopp will probably manage Celtic one day! (00:25) You’ll Never Walk Alone is iconic (03:52) Enjoy the podcast with a brandy (05:20) What is football DNA? (07:20) Experiencing YNWA in person (18:00) Klopp! Future Celtic manager? (22:02) Liverpool’s Boot Room (25:50) DNA is transient! (30:40) Liverpool’s European success (40:30) DNA is just a culture with...

Do football clubs have a DNA or is it an idealized notion in supporters minds? We discuss Man United and their pursuit of a footballing DNA. (00:13) Man United are the T-Rex of football (04:00) Do Man United have a DNA? (09:41) Fergie was often a pragmatic manager (12:09) Do Man United play the Man United way? (19:08) Developing youth players is part of Man United’s DNA (30:54) Does a club’s DNA come and go with a manager? (32:12) Club DNA is a great marketing tactic (41:35) Man United DNA,...

Following the storming of Old Trafford, the 50+1 model has been touted as a solution for those espousing for fan ownership of Premier League clubs. We discover its effectiveness in Germany and discuss whether it would work in England? - Trouble at Old Trafford (00:11) - Why German clubs introduced 50+1 (07:18) - Would the 50+1 model work in England? (09:17) - German football is more traditional (13:44) - German clubs can’t catch up with Bayern (22:00) - Adidas, Allianz & Audi all fund Bayern...

Arsenal fans are excited about the club’s potential purchase by Spotify founder Daniel Ek, but who exactly is the Swede, and would he be any better than current owner Stan Kroenke? - Hector Bellerín is a man on a mission (00:12) - Reminiscing about retro video games (09:03) - Is Daniel Ek a lifelong Arsenal fan? (12:42) - What would Daniel Ek do with Arsenal? (22:17) - Why has Ek been so public in his interest? (28:43) - Kroenke is a collector of sports teams (38:44) - More than £500m on...

The Premier League has chosen its inaugural Hall of Fame members. We look at the shortlist of other nominees and pick our best 5-A-Side from the bunch. - The Premier League’s Hall of Fame (00:11) - Lack of goalkeepers on the shortlist (08:55) - Hall of Fame numbers by club (12:10) - A nice mixture of defenders (16:25) - Very strong list of midfielders (19:28) - A few strange forward choices (26:26) - Our 5-A-Side Hall of Fame teams (30:55) - Rio, ‘The Rolls Royce of Defenders’ (35:20) - Roy...

What should be the repercussions for the clubs and their owners involved in the European Super League? Gary Neville brought the big guns down (00:19) Carragher suggests fan ownership (03:09) Change is necessary with a scalpel not a hammer (08:42) Greed is prevalent in football (11:05) Does your club have a pillow sponsor? (13:07) Were clubs tricked into joining the ESL? (15:27) Where’s your flashy promo video at? (20:56) John Henry has been a good owner for Liverpool (25:26) UEFA needs to be...

The European Super League is happening – for better or worse, it will act as the catalyst for change in European football. - Bill Shankly explains how football should be (00:11) - The European Super League is here (01:27) - Gary Neville has his hypocritical say (03:00) - Super League is the expanded Champions League 2.0 (06:43) - UEFA generates €3.8bn per season (11:02) - UEFA spends €295m on administration (12:31) - The average UEFA salary is €474,276.53 (14:18) - Are the Super League clubs...

Following a Champions League exit and uncertainty over a top 4 league finish, we ask; is Liverpool a club in crisis? - Liverpool and their Madrid hoodoo (00:13) - Has ‘Heavy Metal’ football harmed Liverpool? (10:58) - Lack of fans hurt potential Liverpool comebacks (23:36) - Liverpool really needs a Top 4 finish (28:12) - Their strikers have been wayward (33:41) - Would you like to hear some statistics? (35:14) - What positions do Liverpool need to strengthen? (39:19) Rate, review, share on...

The Champions League looks set to adopt the ‘Swiss model’ from 2024. We discuss the plans, which include an increase to 36 teams and guaranteed qualification for established clubs. - A few of Switzerland’s favourite things (00:09) - Champions League goes Swiss (04:00) - Champions League double group era (11:58) - There won’t be any more Porto’s (21:37) - 4 extra Champions League spots (25:00) - Is the expansion all about money? (31:56) - UEFA and their sneaky negotiations (34:14) - European...

We apply baseball’s ‘Moneyball’ theory to Trent Alexander Arnold and discover that he would be utilised better in midfield. Also, would Aaron wan Bissaka make a better central defender? - Is Gary Neville right about Trent? (00:13) - Would Trent be a better midfielder? (03:00) - Could Moneyball turn Trent into Bale? (09:50) - Trent doesn’t win many tackles (13:01) - Nobody has more assists on average (17:15) - Could Wan Bissaka play at centre back? (26:33) - Getting some inspiration from...

With Sergio Agüero getting a statue at Man City, we discuss another two players who deserve a statue...Vardy & Keane!! - Martin Tyler is sampled in our theme music (00:34) - City planning 3 statues for Kompany, Silva & Agüero (02:36) - Leicester needs a statue of Jamie Vardy (15:15) - Does Roy Keane deserve a statue at Old Trafford? (26:18) - Ryan Giggs hairy chest would make a statue difficult (33:34) - Keane’s stoic features would make a great statue (35:45) - Mo Salah or Marv from Home...

Following the release of a TV Drama about the career of Francesco Totti, we look at a few football shows we remember from our childhood. - Harchester United was a disaster club (00:10) - Aaron tells us about his trip to Rome (01:44) - Totti TV show ‘Speravo de Mori Prima’ (06:40) - How awful was Dream Team? (17:07) - Harchester was a death trap for players (23:20) - Karl Fletcher returns as a ghost (31:33) - Bruno di Gradi and the Renford Rejects (34:54) Rate, review, share on Spotify, Apple...

With rumours of a Suarez return to Liverpool, we take a look at a few individuals who've played for a club more than once...some good, some not so good!! - Luis Suarez back to Liverpool? (00:13) - Two timing players (13:36) - Diego Costa’s Atletico antics (14:15) - Should United have brought Pogba back? (26:59) - Drogba and his triumphant return (40:35) - Matic’s second time round at Chelsea (45:28) Rate, review, share on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Join the conversation on...

As UEFA get rid of Financial Fair Play rules, we discuss if they've been a success and also, what is likely to replace them...plus Sepp Blatter's lazy attempt at extortion. - What has Sepp Blatter got under his patio? (00:12) - Blatter was lazy with his extortion (04:43) - UEFA are set to ditch Financial Fair Play (FFP) (10:02) - Aaron compares FFP to St. Stephens Green (14:16) - A 5-year statute of limitations for FFP? (18:10) - Spending what is necessary without waste!! (21:02) - UEFA...

We look ahead to Ireland’s game against Serbia and discuss their qualifying campaign for the upcoming World Cup in 2022 - with Guest Paul Nealon from Irish Football Fan TV. - Looking ahead to Ireland v Serbia (00:12) - Goalkeeping situation ahead of the game (03:04) - Who should start up front against Serbia? (08:26) - Stephen Kenny’s brand of football (10:23) - FAI should stick with Kenny long term (14:34) - The quality Portugal possesses (18:39) - What would be a successful campaign?...

With less than 10 games to go we give our predictions on who will finish in the Top 4 in the Premier League. - Klopp is prepping for Thursday night football (00:07) - 8 teams in contention for a Top 4 place? (07:45) - Difficulty of each team’s run-in ranked (10:48) - Will Champions League help or hinder Chelsea? (19:38) - Could Leicester drop out of the top 4? (22:17) - Everton’s goal difference is very poor (28:23) - Spurs have the toughest run-in (31:33) - We predict our final Top 4...

As Roy Keane is being touted as Celtic's next manager, we discuss his managerial record and wonder is he the right man for the job? - Micah Richards wants to join Roy at Celtic (00:09) - Roy Keane is not the right fit for Celtic (04:54) - Keane’s win percentage is bettered by Tony Pulis (08:32) - Micah Richards could be Roy’s HR Manager (12:37) - Roy Keane has spent £110m on transfers (13:43) - Is Roy a less successful Mourinho? (17:41) - The other contenders for the Celtic job (22:03) - Is...