The Sound of Football

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and having recorded this episode yesterday evening, before this morning's announcement, some of this episode is already out of date.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. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_580.mp3

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

After the first round of fixtures at Euro 2024, it's less clear which side looks most likely to win it. Pre-tournament favourites France and England won their openers but weren't given an easy ride, while Spain and Germany look even better than we thought. The other teams involved haven't just come along for the ride, giving us some thrilling performances and spectacular goals. Will England's new look midfield settle into the tournament? Will Mbappe's facial injury limit his further involvement? Can Scotland recover from their opening day mauling at the hands of the hosts? 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_578.mp3

Euro 2024 kicks off this week in Germany so here's our run through of each of the six groups - it's a bit like a wallchart, only in sound form. Who will shine and who will have a tournament to forget? Can England really be considered favourites? And how will Scotland fair against the hosts and sides who are largely made up of German-based players? 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_577.mp3

It's our last podcast of the season and, after a surprisingly entertaining FA Cup Final, we're in a mood to celebrate. But it's not all good news, the Prime Minister's decision to call an early election has halted progress of the legislation that was to bring in an independent regulator for football. Will the new government be too busy to pick it up again? 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_576.mp3

Wolverhampton Wanderers have tabled a motion to scrap VAR in the Premier League. It's very unlikely they will get the number of votes they require to succeed but what would a narrow defeat say about confidence in the system and the PGMOL? Also this week, we congratulate Manchester City on getting away with yet another Premier League title. 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? Our last Boxset of the season is over-flowing with finals. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_575.mp3

It's the final week of the season for the Premier League and the Bundesliga. Only Arsenal can stop Manchester City claiming an unprecedented fourth successive title, but they'll need help from Spurs or West Ham to do it. Meanwhile in Germany, one by one the coaches on Bayern's wishlist to replace Thomas Tuchel are ruling themselves out. Could Erik ten Hag swap Old Trafford for the Allianz in the summer? 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? In addition to the Premier League's final round of fixtures, we have the League One and Two play-off finals. There also might be a goal in the second leg of Southampton's Championship play-off semi-final against West Brom. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_574.mp3

Eager to find an alternative to the current, unsatisfactory profit and sustainability rules, the Premier League has this week agreed to introduce new rules that limit the money a club can spend to a multiple of the lowest club’s TV revenue. Will this “anchoring” be an effective way of controlling finances, or will it become just something else to circumvent? While the Premier League has been quite open of its opposition to the introduction of the Independent Regulator for Football, less has been said by UEFA or FIFA, who have in the past opposed what they see as government interference in football. Could that be about change, following last week’s launch of the Spanish government’s own independent body to control the crisis-riven RFEF. 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_573.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Plenty of EFL action this week with the start of the League One play-offs, and an automatic promotion place up for grabs on the final day of the Championship. And after the sheningans in their first meeting, will VAR behave itself when Spurs face Liverpool? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

This weekend, technology robbed us of the greatest FA Cup comeback in living memory, with the unforgiving VAR offside lines denying Coventry City a 121st minute winner in their semi-final against Manchester United after being 3-0 down. And when it wasn't shattering dreams, the objectivity of those using it to officiate was being called into quesion. Nottingham Forest have demanded that referees who admit a fondness for clubs they believe are “contextual rivals” should recuse themselves from officiating, after self-confessed Luton fan Stuart Attwell failed to overturn three decisions in last weekend's defeat at Everton. 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_572.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? With a fifth Champions League spot for the Premier League off the table, the North London derby and Villa match against Chelsea have become key fixtures in the battle to grab fourth spot. Chelsea's women have the chance to complete a famous win over Barcelona, going into the home leg of their Champions League semi-final a goal up. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

There's an adage that at the end of the season the table never lies, but with so much affecting this season's Premier League placings does it still hold true? Is it possible to understand everything that's going on in football? From financial regulations to club and country coefficients, from law changes to competition restructing, from new metrics to constantly evolving tactics, there's always something new to get your head around. Is that a bug of the modern game or a feature? 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_571.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? It's FA Cup semi-final weekend. Can Mark Robins' Coventry City side get the better of his old club Manchester United? Will Chelsea and City give us another multi-goal thriller? Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Across Europe the major league titles are already almost won; in Germany, Leverkusen should seal the championship this weekend. The English top flight is the exception with a three way race that could provide the most exciting climax to a Premier League season. It's not all good news for the “Best League in the World”. This week, around the time it was announced that Everton have been deducted a further two points for breaching PSR rules again, it was revealed that clubs are looking at introducing a “luxury tax” to punish over-spending clubs instead of deucting points. Could solving overspending by spending more money be the most Premier League idea ever? 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_570.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? There are important matches in the Premier League title race while the Woman's FA Cup reaches the semi-final stage with one of Tottenham or Leicester assured of reaching their first major final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

The games across the congested Easter weekend can often define what remains of a season. In England the lead changed in both the Premier League and the Championship. In women's football, Arsenal won the the first (and almost certainly their only) silverware of the season, beating Chelsea and denying Emma Hayes the quadruple in her final season at the club. In Germany, the title race is as good as done. Bayern's defeat to Dortmund has opened a 13 point gap between themselves and Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen. For many people, Harry Kane's decision to move to Bayern was motivated by a desire to win something. It's unfortunate for him then that his move has coincided with Bayern looking like they'll miss out on the title for the first time in over a decade. But he's still had a really good season. 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_569.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? The run-in gives us some great rivalries this weekend. Can Ipswich hold on to top spot in the Championship in the Old Farm derby? Can Rangers go to the top in Scotland in the Old Firm? And that's all before Liverpool head to Old Trafford. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_569.mp3

The international break often leaves football news outlets scratching around for content. It's a good thing they had Ben White declining to join the England squad and Nike's cross of St George design faux pas to whip up some outrage. Trying not to dwell on such matters, we move on to discuss options for improvements to the qualification process for international tournaments. Starting next week, the qualification phase for the next women's Euros will use the Nations League model. Could that same system breath life into qualifying for men's tournaments too, or is there an even better option out there? 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_568.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Club football returns with a huge match in the Premier League as Arsenal try to hold on to top spot against the champions, City. There's also Bayern v Dortmund and the Women's League Cup final. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Nottingham Forest have been hit with a four point deduction for breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. The loss of points has dropped them into the relegation zone but they're still ahead of the two best teams in last season's Championship, Burnley and Sheffield United. With the gap between the top flight and the EFL growing ever larger, how else can the clubs coming up from the Championship compete? Today, the Football Governance Bill got its first reading in Parliament, and with cross-party support it should pass smoothly into law. Will a new regulator for football fulfill its promise of protecting clubs for financial mismanagement? Will that mean more stringent spending restrictions? 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_567.mp3

Like March hares, right now there a lot of people who are hopping mad. This weekend Jude Bellingham saw red for having a difference of opinion with referee over timekeeping, while in Germany a Darmstadt fan was allowed on the pitch to let the players know how terrible they are. If that wasn't enough, this weekend we also had a former top level Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg, throw a former colleague under the bus in his new role as an adviser for Nottingham Forest. It must be getting to the exciting stage of the season. 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_566.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Will the football gods smile again on Liverpool in their top of the table clash against City? Spurs travel to Villa hoping to close the gap in the hunt for the fourth Champions League spot. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

It's been four years since the FA Cup became a replay-less midweek round, but it still feels a bit weird. With a new domestic broadcaster taking over the competition in 2025, could more changes be on the horizon? If there are changes to be made, maybe the powers that be should consult with the fans first. The recent victory of ultras in Germany in their action against unpopular financing plans from the German league should be an example for fan groups everywhere. But could similar action even happen in England? 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? There isn't a Wembley final this weekend but their is the spectacle of the Manchester derby, the first since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's part-ownership of United was rubber-stamped. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today. pods.sofpodcast.com/sofpodcast_565.mp3

Sunderland are looking for a new manager, just two months after hiring the last one, Michael Beale. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have appointed a new manager, and this time it's an interesting choice. 2022 Europa League winning head coach Oliver Glasner comes in to replace Roy Hodgson. In Germany, pressure is mounting on Thomas Tuchel, whose Bayern side have lost three games in the space of a week. 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_564.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Hopefully this season's EFL Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea will be more entertaining than the finals the sides fought in 2022. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

Last week, the football laws body IFAB announced an idea they were looking to trial - the introduction of blue cards for offences punishable by a visit to a ten minute sin bin. Why, in England at least, has the idea almost universally gone down like a lead balloon? Are the decisions-makers at IFAB fixing problems that no one has asked them to fix? 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_563.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Manchester City face Chelsea twice and if those games are even half as good as the reverse fixtures we should be in for a treat. The WSL fixture saw City come agonisingly close to winning with just nine players, while the Premier League tie finished 4-4. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

After bruising defeats at the weekend both Roy Hodgson and Mauricio Pochettino are under pressure before they face each other next Monday. Are they safe all the time no one else would touch their respective clubs? Also this week we discuss a couple of controversial off-field decision with some VAR chaos in Belgium and, closer to home, the problems of cup-tying players in league-based knockout competitions after Aston Villa avoided being kicked out of the Women's League Cup. 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_562.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? This weekend contains two continental finals with the Asian Cup and Afcon. The knockout action continues with the Scottish Cup and the Women's FA Cup. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.

At the end of last week it was announced that Jurgen Klopp will be leaving Liverpool, but not until the end of the season. And he wasn't the only one. The following day, Xavi confirmed that he would be leaving his role as head coach of Barcelona, meaning that two of the biggest jobs in world football will be vacant in the summer. With four months of the season still remaining, have these two become "lame duck" managers? Who is likely to replace them? Is Xabi Alonso really the natural choice for Liverpool that many believe he is? Could Mourinho really go back to Barcelona? 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_561.mp3 What's in the Weekend Boxset? Sky will have their chance to eulogise Klopp when his Liverpool side take on Arsenal on Sunday. There are also Afcon quarter-finals and the Derby D'Italia as well. Get our FREE weekly newsletter in your email by signing up to the Weekend Boxset today.