Up Front

Graeme Souness and Troy Deeney were captains throughout the majority of their careers and Simon once sat in the ultimate leadership position, as owner of Crystal Palace FC. Societal changes, money and player power have created a very different footballing landscape, one that many people feel produces fewer leaders than ever. In this week’s episode our panel sat down to discuss leadership in modern football, analysing the traits that the best captains and managers exhibit whilst looking at England’s footballing future as we head into the post-Southgate era. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

DISCLAIMER: This episode was recorded just prior to Gareth Southgate stepping down as England manager. On this week’s episode Troy, Simon and Graeme reflect on EURO 2024 and give their thoughts on an England team that fell at the last hurdle once again, losing to Spain in Berlin. The guys review their pre-tournament predictions and each give their thoughts on the reasons behind England’s inability to get their hands on major silverware. Whether it’s Southgate’s negative attitude, Rice’s inability to pass forward or Kane’s lack of fitness, no stone is left unturned as they try to determine where England go from here… Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

On today’s episode, we are joined by one of the most clinical finishers to ever grace the Premier League. Tottenham favourite Jermain Defoe is one of the top 10 goal scorers in Premier League history and has represented England 57 times, featuring and scoring in major tournaments, before crowning his illustrious career by helping Rangers to bring the Scottish title back to Ibrox for the first time in a decade. Jermain sits down with Simon to talk about his England career and give his honest opinion on the current England squad, focusing on their performances at the Euros and the criticism they’ve faced. He also opens up about his special relationship with young Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery before discussing his future in the game. Despite his illustrious career and his experience as a coach in the Tottenham academy, Jermain has struggled to enter the world of management, experiencing resistance and rejection along the way. He joins the show to discuss his future prospects and the difficult journey black former players experience when swapping the pitch for the dugout. Join Simon for this insightful conversation with Jermain Defoe. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

On today’s episode, we are joined by a former Arsenal favourite who is 1 of only 8 players to score over 100 goals for the club. Theo Walcott shot to fame at 16 when he signed for Arsenal in 2006, and his profile soared further when he was called up for England for the 2006 World Cup six months later. Upon his signing, he was widely tipped for greatness with comparisons to Thierry Henry. To go along with the goals, Theo won multiple FA Cups during his time in North London, whether that number is 2 or 3 is a point of debate in this very conversation. Theo joins Simon in Frankfurt, Germany to discuss his career, from his rapid rise in professional football to his time at Arsenal and England. He shares what it was like to play under Arsene Wenger in a transitional period in the club's history. Theo also provides insights on Mikel Arteta, highlighting the traits he saw in him as a player that have contributed to his success as a manager, while also touching on the current England squad and their chances at EURO 2024. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

On the final leg of Three Up Front’s trip around Germany, Simon, Graeme and Troy discuss the malaise around England’s performances, suggest playing Jude Bellingham deeper is the way for Gareth Southgate to improve his side and analyse the post season review that Manchester United undertook before confirming Erik Ten Hag would stay on as manager. There’s a story involving Troy, Graeme and a German donut man and Simon ponders the question as to how Sir Jim Ratcliffe can get his club to ‘be like Real Madrid’ after his latest comments about Manchester United. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

Football fever is sweeping across Germany as Euro 2024 gets into full swing. England kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Serbia, thanks to a Jude Bellingham header. It’s a familiar story: a bright start, lost control, and a nervy finish. Nonetheless, Southgate has led the boys to a win. However, with key figures like Foden struggling to impose themselves on the game, has it left us with more questions than answers? The Tartan Army descended on Germany in their thousands, full of expectation ahead of their group opener against the host nation. But Scotland’s 5-1 thrashing in Munich has threatened to dampen their excitement and an early exit. What went so wrong for Steve Clarke’s men? Simon, Graeme, and Troy discuss all this and more from Germany in the latest episode of Three Up Front. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly

For the first time in a long time England enter a major tournament as the favourites. It is also the tournament that is set to define the legacy of Gareth Southgate and his tenure with England. Under his guidance he has created the most harmonious England squad in decades and nurtured a fresh bond between fans and the players. He’s led them to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in the last three major tournaments - which previously had not been achieved for over 30 years. Now with arguably the best England squad since the "Golden Generation", can Southgate go one step further and lead England to the promised land? Simon and Graeme are joined by former England international Joleon Lescott to discuss England’s chances at Euro 2024, how Gareth can achieve success and what this would mean for his legacy. They also talk about the attacking talent at Southgate’s disposal as well as the issues in defence whilst looking at the teams who could potentially cause England a problem. All this and more in the latest episode of Three Up Front. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

The managerial merry-go-round is in full swing. Mourinho has sparked fanfare in Turkey by becoming Fenerbahce’s new manager. Vincent Kompany has officially been unveiled as Bayern Munich’s new manager, and Plymouth have announced Wayne Rooney as their new manager for next season. One manager staying put is Carlo Ancelotti as he welcomes Kylian Mbappe to his newly crowned Champions League squad. Kevin De Bruyne’s recent comments on Saudi Arabia have seemingly opened the door for a transfer, which has raised a few eyebrows as many believe him to be still performing at the highest level. While his current club, Man City, prepare to challenge the Premier League - taking their already-strained relationship to the next level. All this and more in this week’s episode of Three Up Front, with Joleon Lescott joining Simon and Graeme as a guest host, covering for Troy this week. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ Please gamble responsibly.

On today’s episode we are joined by a divisive figure, a powerhouse in the media world, and our first non-sporting guest. A celebrity, journalist, and author, Piers Morgan is known for his no-nonsense, cutthroat opinions. His explosive personality has led him to deliver groundbreaking interviews, hold government ministers accountable, and spark debates on a variety of subjects, including his beloved Arsenal. Piers joins the show to discuss his early beginnings, his rise within the media, and his love of fame and entertainment, whilst also sharing his thoughts on the current Arsenal team and their manager Mikel Arteta. Subscribe now for the full episode! Warning: This episode may contain strong language. 18+ gamble responsibly.

As another Premier League season comes to an end, a familiar story unfolds - Manchester City, Premier League champions. Elsewhere, Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town head straight back down to the Championship - with a record low points total. So with each passing season - is the Premier League becoming more of a closed shop at the top and more difficult than ever to survive at the bottom? In this week's episode of Three Up Front, Simon, Graeme and Troy sit down to discuss Manchester City's monopolisation of the top flight whilst looking at the struggles smaller clubs face when coming up from the Championship. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson left the Premier League, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have been the two dominant forces in English football. As Jurgen says auf wiedersehen and speculation rises around Pep’s future, the lack of an obvious successor is apparent. In this week’s episode Simon, Graeme and Troy will be taking a look at which managers are next in line to take over from the best in the game. Whether that be up-and-coming talents like Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso, established veterans like Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel or wildcards like Zinedine Zidane. They will also explore the characteristics that define an ‘elite’ manager, whilst discussing the reputation of British coaches and their lack of success at the top end of the Premier League table. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

In the second episode of 'Three Up Front', Simon Jordan, Troy Deeney and Graeme Souness discuss Manchester United's travails after they suffered their most humiliating defeat of the season at Crystal Palace. The trio look at where this once great club is and what the expectations should be for next season… With Sir Jim Ratcliffe becoming more of a prominent voice in football operations, Manchester United appear to be at a crossroads. Manager Erik Ten Hag is on the hot seat and the vast majority of the squad appear to be surplus to requirements, as well-remunerated stars such as Casemiro and Marcus Rashford continue to disappoint. The guys also discuss another team that has a somewhat murky future, as they react to the news that David Moyes is being replaced at the end of the season by Julen Lopetegui. Should West Ham fans ‘be careful what they wish for’ as they wave goodbye to the manager who put a trophy in the cabinet for the first time in 43 years? Simon, Graeme and Troy give their thoughts in this week's episode of Three Up Front brought to you by William Hill. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

Welcome to the first episode of 'Three Up Front' brought to you by William Hill. A new show that combines three of football's most distinctive voices to bring you no-nonsense football opinions, discussions and ensure talking points are analysed from the perspectives of a player, a manager and an owner. In our debut episode Simon Jordan, Graeme Souness and Troy Deeney sit down to analyse the underwhelming end to Klopp’s final season whilst giving their thoughts on the future of Liverpool. As a former Liverpool manager, there are few people more qualified than Souness to comment on the issues the current Feyenoord coach will face when he arrives on Merseyside and with Mo Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all out of contract in a year's time, the incoming manager’s in tray is starting to look pretty daunting… So, exactly how does Arne Slot in at Liverpool? Tune in to find out. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly.

Three of football's most opinionated voices come together to bring you no nonsense football opinions, discussions and no doubt banter, each and every week alongside our normal programming, Up Front is not going away.

On today's episode we are joined by a Chelsea legend who led the club through an unprecedented era of success, winning every available trophy along the way. John Terry is a serial winner, a stalwart defender and, for many, the ultimate leader. The former England captain often divided opinion throughout his career, combining outstanding play with off the field issues to become one of the most notable members of ‘the golden generation’. A rare presence in the media, John joins the show to discuss the key moments in a remarkable career, offering a unique insight into an increasingly private life and opens up on his plans for the future. Subscribe now for the full episode and head to www.youtube.com/@UpFrontWithSimonJordan. Warning: This episode may contain strong language. 18+ gamble responsibly.

On today’s episode we are joined by the youngest of four brothers from one of the most famous boxing families. Fighting out of Liverpool and coached by Joe Gallagher, Callum Smith went on to gain British and European success at super middleweight before overcoming George Groves for the WBA Strap. His continued rise within Boxing led him face to face with Cancelo Alvarez, which unfortunately for Smith became his first loss. Smith dusted himself off and aimed to become two-weight world champion but fell short against Artur Beterbiev, leaving his career at a crossroads. Callum Smith joins the show to talk about what his career now holds in store, and reflect on his unique background and incredible success. He discusses the pitfalls of the often murky world of professional boxing, his thoughts on his more brash and vocal peers and opens up on his plans for the future. Subscribe now for the full episode and head to www.youtube.com/@UpFrontWithSimonJordan. Warning: This episode may contain strong language and references to violence. Listener discretion advised. Remember, 18+ for gambling responsibly.

On today’s episode we are joined by a top England Rugby International, who in recent times won the Premiership title with Leicester Tigers before returning to his roots with Bristol Bears. Ellis Genge faced early struggles in his life, growing up in the working class area of Knowle West in Bristol. An angry young man who faced problems in school and with the law, he found solace in an unlikely place - Rugby. A sport which helped him channel his anger and where he found belonging and structure. Now the star of the ‘Full Contact’ Netflix documentary series and a well respected leader for club and country, Ellis has been capped for England 58 times, lifting the Six Nations trophy in 2020 after finishing as runner-up at the World Cup in 2019. He joins the show to talk about his unconventional journey in Rugby. His career under head coaches Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick whilst giving his unfiltered opinion on the issues the sport faces in 2024 and beyond. Subscribe now for the full episode and head to www.youtube.com/@UpFrontWithSimonJordan. Warning: This episode may contain strong language and references to violence. Listener discretion advised. Remember, 18+ for gambling responsibly.

On today’s episode we are joined by one of the greats of German Football. Born in East Germany at a time of upheaval and division, Michael Ballack went on to become a legend for his country, making 98 appearances and scoring 42 goals. Through playing street football at an early age, Ballack found his love for the game and knew he wanted to become a pro. He came to prominence at Kaiserslautern and was part of the side that did the unthinkable by winning the Bundesliga in 1997. His impressive performances earned him a move to Bayer Leverkusen and individually he continued to excel, as well as his stock amongst Europe’s elite. Collectively however, they failed to win any silverware following two consecutive years of falling at the last hurdle. Ballack would rectify this though, by joining the Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and win multiple titles and cups. Still eager for more success and new challenges, he swapped Munich for London, joining Abrahmovic’s revolution at Chelsea in 2006, to play under Jose Mourinho. He’d go on to win the premier league and a series of cups before heading back to Leverkusen in 2010, where he’d finish his career. Michael joins the show and talks about his football journey, opening up on his time at Leverkusen, the exceptionally high standards at Bayern Munich and playing under Jose Mourinho. He also talks about how Xabi Alonso has brought a winning mentality to Leverkusen and how he’s transformed the club, whilst giving his honest opinion on the German National Side and their realistic prospects for the Euros. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly. Warning: this episode contains language that some people may find offensive.

On today’s episode we are joined by one of the most iconic Italians to grace the Premier League. From humble beginnings in Sardinia, Gianfranco Zola was famed for playing the game in a beautiful way. He became one of the rising stars in his hometown which earned him a big money move to Napoli who were led by the God-like figure Diego Maradona. After impressing in Naples, he moved to Parma and formed a deadly partnership with Faustino Asprilla, challenging Juventus for the Serie A title. However, he struggled for game time the following season under manager Carlo Ancelotti, which opened the door for Zola to make the move to Stamford Bridge. His audacious, entertaining style of play helped ignite Chelsea’s late resurgence in the late 90’s and he became a firm favourite for the blues. He’s also widely seen as a trailblazer who formed English football’s early foreign revolution. After finishing his playing career back home in Sardinia, Gianfranco moved into management, managing teams such as West Ham, Watford and Birmingham City, often under extremely challenging ownership groups. Gianfranco joins the show and opens up on those challenging situations whilst giving his honest opinion on the current footballing landscape and the state of his beloved Chelsea FC. Subscribe for future episodes. 18+ please gamble responsibly. Warning: this episode contains language that some people may find offensive.

On today's episode we are joined by a player who burst onto the scene for Arsenal as a teenager, showing a tenacity and technical ability that few English players have ever possessed. After a breakout performance against Messi and Guardiola’s Barcelona, the sky seemed to be the limit for Jack Wilshere but an ongoing ankle issue would lead to him retiring from the game at age 30 after spells at Bournemouth, West Ham and AGF in the Danish Superliga. Now a coach in the Arsenal system under Mikel Arteta, Jack joins the show to discuss a career that excited and frustrated in equal measure whilst also giving the inside scoop on Arteta’s Arsenal revolution. Subscribe now for the full episode and head to www.youtube.com/@UpFrontWithSimonJordan. Warning: This episode may contain strong language. 18+ gamble responsibly.