Football Daily

FULL 7 PART-SERIES AVAILABLE ON BBC SOUNDS - www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0h6lf4d The definitive Sir Alex Ferguson story, from his working class roots in Glasgow to the top of European football, told by the people who know him best. First-hand accounts from a host of former players and adversaries including Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Gordon Strachan and Sir Kenny Dalglish reveal what it was like to play for Sir Alex's all-conquering Manchester United and Aberdeen teams, while exploring the Scot's origins and where his legendary will to win came from. Presenter Kelly Cates and Ferguson expert Jonathan Northcroft explore what made him so successful and how he was able to constantly reinvent himself and his teams to remain at the very top for decades. Could there ever be another manager like Sir Alex?

You’re Better Than That is back for another fun and festive Christmas treat! Alistair Bruce-Ball is the quizmaster as Chris Sutton partners up with Karen Pickering to take on Julien Laurens and Izzy Christiansen – who will come out on top? Featuring the famous Sutton Death, conundrums and filling in the commentary blanks from some of the biggest sporting moments of 2024 who will win 2024’s edition of the annual festive quiz?

Neil Warnock joins Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff for a festive Christmas treat and to look back on some of his favourite memories in football. From bowling and chiropody, to Chris Morgan and Adel Taarabt, Neil Warnock lifts the lid on some of his funniest and memorable stories. He talks about what Christmas is like in the Warnock household and looks back at almost 60 years in football. Plus, find out if Yorkshire puddings are on Neil Warnock’s Christmas dinner!

Kelly Cates presents the Monday Night Club alongside Rory Smith, Clinton Morrison and Chris Sutton. The team chat Liverpool and is the title theirs to lose. Is there a better team than Spurs to support at the moment from an entertainment point of view? Jeff Hayward from ‘Back of the Net podcast’ joins the panel to talk Bournemouth’s success and dreams of Europe. And would you rather be Ruben Amorim or Pep Guardiola at the moment heading into Christmas? Timecodes: 00:20 Intro 02:50 Liverpool’s title to lose? 10:40 Ange & Spurs 23:14 Bournemouth dreaming of Europe? 30:30 Miserable Christmas in Manchester 42:00 Footballers Christmas

Liverpool put six past Spurs & Bournemouth dream of Europe. Rick Edwards is joined by Nigel Reo-Coker and David James to run through the Premier League with the table now locked over Christmas. Also hear from Arne Slot, Ange Postecoglou, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Ruben Amorim. And Shay Given from Match of the Day 2 drops in to talk goalkeepers. 02:20 Are you not entertained? 06:25 Slot making it look easy at Liverpool 09:15 Arne Slot INTERVIEW 12:15 Ange Postecoglou INTERVIEW 16:35 Shay Given joins the pod 24:30 Chelsea surprising a few in second? 26:45 Arsenal have themselves a striker! 28:00 Forest and Bournemouth are up there 29:35 Antoine Semenyo INTERVIEW 32:05 Ruben Amorim INTERVIEW 39:30 Aston Villa beat Man City 44:10 Relegation contenders

Jonathan Sutherland travels to Naples to speak to two Scots who are starring in Serie A. Napoli's Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour chat to Jonathan about adapting to life in Italy, their relationship with Antonio Conte and following in the footsteps of Diego Maradona. McTominay also opens up on his decision to leave Manchester United, while Gilmour discusses swapping Brighton for Naples. BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend: Sat 21 Dec, 1500: West Ham v Brighton on 5 Live Sat 21 Dec, 1730: Crystal Palace v Arsenal on 5 Live Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Everton v Chelsea on 5 Live Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Man Utd v Bournemouth on 5 Sports Extra Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Fulham v Southampton on BBC Sport website Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Leicester v Wolves on BBC Sport website Sun 22 Dec, 1630: Tottenham v Liverpool on 5 Live

John Murray returns with Ian Dennis and Ali Bruce-Ball to lift the lid on life as a commentator. From being pulled over by police in Moscow to talking tailoring with Thomas Tuchel, they reveal the stories they don’t normally get to hear. Plus, Steve Bunce drops in from Riyadh ahead of #UsykFury2 to talk boxing commentary. And Clash of the Commentators takes on an Asian feel. 01:20 Interviewing Thomas Tuchel 02:55 27-hour journey back from Moscow 08:10 Don’t speak to Pep on the golf course 11:10 How are commentary games chosen? 13:55 Commentating with Clinton Morrison 18:10 Steve Bunce talks boxing commentary 28:25 Best goal scored by a European player this year? 33:30 Clash of the Commentators goes Asian 38:05 Looking ahead to the weekend’s fixtures 42:00 The Great Glossary of Football Commentary BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries this weekend: Sat 21 Dec, 1500: West Ham v Brighton on 5 Live Sat 21 Dec, 1730: Crystal Palace v Arsenal on 5 Live Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Everton v Chelsea on 5 Live Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Man Utd v Bournemouth on 5 Sports Extra Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Fulham v Southampton on BBC Sport website Sun 22 Dec, 1400: Leicester v Wolves on BBC Sport website Sun 22 Dec, 1630: Tottenham v Liverpool on 5 Live

Tottenham beat Manchester United 4-3 in a chaotic thriller to make the League Cup semi-finals. Hear how they did it as Eleanor Oldroyd, correspondent John Murray and ex-Spurs midfielder Michael Brown dissect the result. And on the day Everton's takeover by the Friedkin Group was confirmed, former player Aaron Lennon and BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould examine what the deal could mean for Everton boss Sean Dyche. TIMECODES 00:20 Analysis of Tottenham 4-3 Manchester United 11:00 Journalist James Young on Man Utd's inconsistencies 17:10 Semi-final draw 19:00 Everton's takeover

Are Barca blowing it? Is it Atleti’s season? Or Real Madrid to triumph? John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, Julien Laurens and Rafa Honigstein for the final Euro Leagues of 2024. They discuss what is shaping up to be a brilliant tussle for the title in Spain. The also debate whether it will become increasingly interesting in Germany after Bayern Munich’s first defeat of the season. What went wrong for Pep Ljinders at RB Salzburg and how it all went so well for Brest are also discussed. The team also discuss whether Marcus Rashford will end up in Paris. Plus – with the year almost at an end – what was their favourite moment? And who was their favourite player? Timecodes…. 0 mins: Intro 3.35: Do fans in Germany and Spain wish there was no winter break? 5.32: The title race in Spain – starting with the problems at Barcelona. 12.31: Could this be Atletico Madrid’s season? 17.27: Or will Real Madrid succeed with an increasingly in-form Kylian Mbappe? 21.27: Why it seems to be getting more interesting at the top in the Bundesliga. 25.20: The sacking of Pep Ljinders at RB Salzburg and his prospects of getting another job. 29.27: Why 2024 has been such a great year for Brest. 31.33: Julien Laurens explains why PSG will not be signing Marcus Rashford. 32.40: The team select their moment of the year. 36.49: The panel then select their play of the year.

Steve Crossman presents as Arsenal, Newcastle United and Liverpool all see themselves progress into the semi finals of the League Cup. Hear from hat-trick hero Gabriel Jesus after Arsenal's 3-2 win over Crystal Palace, as well as from Palace boss Oliver Glasner. Eddie Howe and Thomas Frank both speak on the pod after Newcastle sailed through as 3-1 winners over Brentford. And Arne Slot also weighs in on Liverpool's win against Southampton. Then we hear from Ruben Amorim, addressing Marcus Rashford's comments about wanting a "new challenge". And Steve, Chris Waddle and Ian Dennis all reflect on what could be next for Rashford.

Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by Kidderminster Harriers manager Phil Brown to look at the week’s biggest stories in the EFL. They talk to Oxford United podcaster Connor Penfold from The Manor Podcast about the reaction from the fans to the sacking of manager Des Buckingham, and how the club will respond in their bid to avoid relegation. Plus, after Matt Taylor’s sacking at Bristol Rovers, will new set piece coach and interim manager Lee Cattermole get the job full time? And with Walsall flying high in League 2, they look at what has been behind their success so far this season.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines react to the Euro 2025 draw held in Switzerland. Commentator Vicki Sparks also joins the team to reflect on the groups and how Sarina could set up her team. England have been drawn in the 'group of death' alongside The Netherlands, France and fellow home nation, Wales. Ellen gives an insight into what it was like in the run up to 2022 and how the qualification makes it different this time around. Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson joins the pod to discuss the group and how she will approach Wales' first major tournament and facing the Lionesses! Swiss journalist Seraina Degen drops by to share insight into what Switzerland will be like as hosts and the country's ambitions for the tournament. The team also chat what could be a significant weekend in the WSL with Chelsea dropping points for the first time this season. Timecodes: 00:20 Intro 02:00 Draw reaction 05:10 Sarina Wiegman 11:40 Where do we find England? 19:30 Wales & Rhian Wilkinson 27:00 WSL 29:30 Switzerland BBC Sounds / 5 Live Carabao Cup commentaries this week: Wed 18 Dec, 1945: Newcastle v Brentford Wed 18 Dec, 2000: Southampton v Liverpool – 5 Sports Extra Thu 19 Dec, 2000: Tottenham v Man Utd

We discuss what next for Southampton and Wolves after parting ways with their managers over the weekend. Mark Chapman is joined by Rory Smith, Chris Sutton and Stephen Warnock to discuss whether sacking a manager increases a club's chances of survival. South American football expert Tim Vickery gives us the lowdown on Vitor Pereira, who looks set to replace Gary O’Neil at Wolves, while sports psychologist Michael Caulfield joins us to talk about the stresses of management and working alongside Thomas Frank at Brentford. And we discover who is the Monday Night Club's sexiest pundit. Topics: 00:25 - Monday Night Club's sexiest pundit 04:12 - Russell Martin and Southampton 22:11 - Vitor Pereira and Wolves 35:47 - Stresses of management BBC Sounds / 5 Live Carabao Cup commentaries this week: Wed 18 Dec, 1945: Newcastle v Brentford Wed 18 Dec, 2000: Southampton v Liverpool - 5 Sports Extra Thu 19 Dec, 2000: Tottenham v Man Utd

Man Utd beat Man City and Wolves sack Gary O’Neil. Hear from Phil Foden, Pep Guardiola, and Ruben Amorim as Rick Edwards is joined by Clinton Morrison and The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards. 02:10 Man Utd beat Man City 05:25 Phil Foden INTERVIEW 12:50 Pep Guardiola INTERVIEW 19:35 Amorim getting there with United? 23:00 Ruben Amorim INTERVIEW 24:20 Where does Rashford’s future lie? 27:20 Half-time teaser 29:40 Wolves sack Gary O’Neil 38:20 Clinton’s favourite PL striker 41:40 Emi Martinez’ save at Forest 43:50 Liverpool & Arsenal drop points BBC Sounds / 5 Live Carabao Cup commentaries this week: Wed 18 Dec, 1945: Newcastle v Brentford Wed 18 Dec, 2000: Southampton v Liverpool – 5 Sports Extra Thu 19 Dec, 2000: Tottenham v Man Utd

In this special episode of the Football Daily, Mark Clemmit catches up with Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder. Sheffield United’s successful season so far, Wilder’s return to the club and the relationship he has with the famous Yorkshire club are all discussed in this fascinating interview. Wilder also discusses his time away from Bramall Lane and how he has lost none of his feistiness. They also find time to discuss Christmas decorations and the plan for buying presents.

Conor McNamara joins Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball to reveal the stories behind the 5 Live commentaries. From Conor taking a printer to games, to using the facilities on the Anfield roof! They tell the tales you don’t normally get to hear. And ‘Clash of the Commentators’ is back! 02:05 Upsetting football fans 06:00 Conor’s portable printer 09:20 Using Championship Manager to help prep 11:20 Getting the overnight sleeper train 15:00 What do commentators do at half-time? 18:05 The Anfield commode 22:30 Best derby to commentate on? 28:20 Commentating at late notice/without notes! 31:40 Most difficult pronunciations 35:45 Clash of the Commentators 41:50 Great Dictionary of Football Commentary BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League / Women’s Super League commentaries this weekend: Sat 14 Dec, 15:00 – Liverpool v Fulham – 5 Live Sat 14 Dec, 17:30 – Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa – 5 Live Sun 15 Dec, 14:00 – Brighton v Crystal Palace – 5 Live Sun 15 Dec, 14:30 – Liverpool Women v Arsenal Women – 5 Sports Extra Sun 15 Dec, 16:30 – Man City v Man Utd – 5 Live

Juventus and Real Madrid win but big praise for Atalanta and Club Brugge. John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, Mina Rzouki and Kristof Terreur to unpick another dramatic week in the Champions League. They discuss a much-needed victory for Juventus over the increasingly beleaguered Manchester City before analysing a sensational match between Atalanta and Real Madrid. There is discussion around why Alessandro del Piero is so important for the development of Kenan Yildiz and why it did not work out for Charles De Ketelaere at AC Milan but has turned around for him at Atalanta. Is Thibaut Courtois back to his best? And how good has David De Gea been at Fiorentina this season? Plus – what’s the secret behind Club Brugge’s great form in the Champions League? Timecodes…. 0 mins: Intro – with Guillem's tips on the attractions of Girona. 2.24: What the team make of the Champions League table. 4.51: The team discuss a big win for Juve – and explain why Alessandro del Piero is so important for the development of Kenan Yildiz. 11.22: Guillem gives his takes on some of the issues at Man City. 17.35: Have Real Madrid turned a corner? 20.50: The form of Thibaut Courtois. 22.14: Why it is working out for Ademola Lookman at Atalanta – and whether there is a big move for him on the horizon. 24.24: Why it did not work out for Charles De Ketelaere at AC Milan but has turned around for him at Atalanta 30.29: David De Gea’s impressive stats at Fiorentina. 34.20: Club Brugge – and the sensational story of their rise under Nicky Hayen.

What next for Millwall? Is Mike Phelan the answer to Wayne Rooney and Plymouth’s problems? Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith joins Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff to discuss Neil Harris leaving Millwall and what will come next for the club and who they'll appoint next? Plus, they discuss the managerial merry-go-round as Ruben Selles joins Hull with Noel Hunt taking over at Reading, while former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan joins Wayne Rooney at Plymouth.

Kelly Cates is joined by John Murray, Pat Nevin and Gary Cahill as Manchester City lose two nil to Juventus to deal a big blow to their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stage. Hear from boss Pep Guardiola on the defeat that means Manchester City have won just one of their last 10 games in all competitions, with this being their seventh loss during that run. Elsewhere Conor McNamara joins the pod as Arsenal see off Monaco in a comfortable three nil victory with Saka getting a double and assist. Manager Mikel Arteta gives his thoughts on the win and the role of 18 year old Myles Lewis–Skelly making his second start. Timecodes: 00:20 Intro 03:00 What’s happened to City? 06:40 Lack of cutting edge 12:40 What do City need to do? 22:30 Pep Guardiola 26:10 Arsenal 28:30 Arteta BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this week: Thu 12 Dec, 2000: Rangers v Tottenham Sat 14 Dec, 1500: Liverpool v Fulham Sat 14 Dec, 1730: Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa Sun 15 Dec, 1400: Brighton v Palace Sun 15 Dec, 1630: Man City v Man Utd Sun 14 Dec, 1430: Liverpool v Arsenal WSL, 5 Sports Extra

It's been confirmed the FIFA World Cup will be returning to the Middle East in 10 years' time after FIFA awarded Saudi Arabia the hosting rights to the 2034 tournament. Securing football’s most high-profile tournament is just the latest example of the Kingdom’s growing influence on global sport, which its critics say is in an effort to 'sportswash' the regime's reputation. Katie Smith is joined by BBC sports editor Dan Roan and Tariq Panja, global sports correspondent for The New York Times, to provide the background to Saudi Arabia’s unopposed bid. We hear from the president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Yasser Al Misehal, and from Amanda Staveley, who was part of the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United in 2021, on why the tournament will be a great success, while BBC sports news correspondent Laura Scott speaks to Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness about Norway's decision to abstain from the voting process for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments. Stephen Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of housing, workers rights, and sport, and Wycombe Wanderers midfielder David Wheeler, the PFA’s sustainability champion, also join the podcast to discuss their concerns over human and the environment. And we ask what all this means for Saudi Arabia’s huge investments in domestic football, particularly at Newcastle United.