The World Cup Series: 1986 and 1990
Join host Jim Hart and World Cup experts Steven Scragg and Stuart Horsfield as they look back at Diego Maradona's sublime 1986 finals, taking Argentina to glory, and perhaps the most romanticised World Cup in history: Italia 90.
2hr 22m Apr 17, 2018
2hr 22m
The World Cup Series: 1978 and 1982
Join host Jim Hart and World Cup experts Steven Scragg, Dan Williamson and Stuart Horsfield as they examine two contrasting finals - the 1978 edition, won by Argentina mid huge controversy, and the glory of Italy in 1982, perhaps the greatest finals of all.
2hr 5m Apr 04, 2018
2hr 5m
The World Cup Series: 1970 and 1974
Join host Jim Hart and World Cup experts Gary Thacker and Steven Scragg as they analyse what many consider to be the two greatest World Cups - 1970 and 1974. From the majestic Brazil side of Pelé and Jairzinho to Johan Cruyff's runners-up, this is the story of tournaments that ushered in a new era.
2hr Mar 18, 2018
2hr
The Coaches' Forum talks to Matt Smith
During his 18-year career, Matt Smith has juggled life and football during stints at the top as a young player in England and professional in Australia and Thailand. Host Jon Townsend caught up with the international defender to find out more about the professional game a rung away from the glitz of Europe.
1hr 40m Feb 26, 2018
1hr 40m
Spanish stadia: the icons and the white elephants
From the Camp Nou to the Santiago Bernabéu, Spain boasts some of the most iconic stadiums in history, but the country hasn't hosted a major tournament since 1982 and some grounds are beginning to decline. In this edition of The Lob, we take a look at the current Spanish stadia situation, asking how and when venues can be improved, while also getting nostalgic and picking out the best grounds in...
38m Feb 26, 2018
38m
The World Cup Series: 1930-1966
The first of an eight-part series. Join host Jim Hart and World Cup experts Gary Thacker and Steven Scragg as they analyse the growth of the tournament, from the early powers, Uruguay and Italy, to the rise of Brazil, Germany and Hungary, and how an unstable world changed the face of football. Immerse yourself in legendary names, great games and teams that set the benchmark for later editions.
2hr 10m Feb 25, 2018
2hr 10m
The Lob talks to Tariq Panja
Tariq Panja is a leading journalist focusing on the business and politics of football. Author of Football's Secret Trade - How the Player Transfer Market Was Infiltrated, his work has been featured on The New York Times and Bloomberg amongst many others.
36m Jan 01, 2018
36m
The Coaches' Forum talks to Saul Isaksson-Hurst
Jon Townsend talks technical development for players of all ages with coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, a one-on-one coaching specialist whose clubs include Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as the founder of My Personal Football Coach.
58m Dec 17, 2017
58m
In celebration of football's greatest number 10s
When it comes to pure football romance, the number 10 position is in a class of its own. With the greatest names having worn the shirt, we discuss the position, what makes it so special, trends and a host of legends in this special podcast to celebrate the launch of our new magazine, The Battle of the 10s.
40m Dec 04, 2017
40m
The Coaches' Forum talks to Jamie Hamilton
Jamie Hamilton is one of the most engrossing writers in the game today, with a focus on merging modern trends in coaching with the tactical progression of the game. He sat down with host Jon Townsend to discuss his outlook on the game, philosophy and more.
1hr 32m Dec 01, 2017
1hr 32m
The Lob talks to Jonathan Wilson
Jonathan Wilson is the acclaimed author of Inverting The Pyramid, The Outsider and Angels With Dirty Faces, as well as the founder and editor of The Blizzard. Join host Jim Hart and senior writer Christopher Weir as they sit down with the affable and knowledgable Wilson to discuss all things football in this wide-ranging conversation.
1hr Nov 20, 2017
1hr
The Coaches' Forum talks to Johnny McKinstry
In the first of a new series of podcasts hosted by Jon Townsend, Johnny Mckinstry, the former manager of Sierra Leone and Rwanda, and now of Kauno Žalgiris in Lithuania's top-flight, talks about his coaching journey, which has led him to all parts of the world before the age of 32, and how he goes about his day-to-day.
45m Nov 16, 2017
45m
Remembering the maverick Alan "Huddy" Hudson with biographer Jason Pettigrove
Join host Jim Hart and senior writer Chris Weir as they interview long-time Marca journalist and FC Barcelona content editor Jason Pettigrove about his first book, a biography of Chelsea, Stoke and Arsenal legend Alan “Huddy” Hudson. Joining is also the managing director of St David Press, Ashley Drake.
1hr Oct 24, 2017
1hr
Welcome to the incredible world of Rayo Vallecano
To coincide with the release of Robbie Dunne's fantastic book Working-Class Heroes: The Story of Rayo Vallecano, Spanish football experts Euan McTear, Robbie, Colin Millar and Chris Weir delve deep into the singular world of the special Madrid club.
39m Oct 17, 2017
39m
Gabriele Marcotti talks Italian football past and present
One of the game's finest writers, Gabriele Marcotti, talks about one of the game's most treasured leagues, Serie A, in this wide-ranging delve into Italian football. Gab is joined by TFT's Jim Hart, Luca Hodges-Ramon and Jon Townsend.
41m Sep 23, 2017
41m
Uli Hesse and the state of German football
Uli Hesse is the best-selling German author of Tor!, Bayern Munich: Creating A Global Superclub and Alles BVB. He sat down with Jim Hart and Luca Hodges-Ramon to discuss the Bundesliga, the German national team and a bit of baseball.
1hr 10m Sep 18, 2017
1hr 10m
Kenny Sansom: Alcohol, Diego Maradona and the Hand of God
Kenny Sansom, Arsenal legend and recipient of 86 hard-earned England caps, has incredible stories to tell, not least those concerning his alcohol dependence and the stories of Diego Maradona from the 1986 World Cup. Our partners at Beyond The Pitch sat down with the former Three Lions hero.
30m Sep 12, 2017
30m
A chat with former Liverpool manager, Roy Evans
An original Beyond The Pitch production. As manager of Liverpool, Roy Evans had the club playing some of the most swashbuckling football seen in the Premier League in the 1990s. A stalwart of the club, giving up decades of his life to serve his beloved Anfield side, Evans lifts the lid on the inside happenings at the club and much more in this revealing interview.
26m Sep 11, 2017
26m
How Atlético Madrid broke the La Liga duopoly, with Euan McTear
Jim Hart and Jon Townsend speak to Euan McTear, author of 'Eibar The Brave', about Atlético Madrid and their penetration of the Real Madrid-Barcelona strangehold in Spanish football, which forms the basis of his new book, 'Hijacking La Liga: How Atlético Madrid broke Barcelona and Real Madrid's duopoly'.
50m Sep 06, 2017
50m
The methods and secrets of Tom Byer
One of football's most respected and influential coaches, Tom Byer has led youth revolutions in Japan and China, and his work spreads across the world to a generation of young players and trainers. Jim Hart and Jon Towsend sat down with Byer to discuss his methods and secrets.
1hr 13m Aug 29, 2017
1hr 13m
How to identify talent and the use of statistics
Host Jim Hart, senior writer and coach Jon Townsend and commentator and analyst Juan Arango examine how players are evaluated during the development stage, what methods are used and whether statistics are the answer.
59m May 28, 2017
59m
FIFA's running of football and the World Cup
Join host Jim Hart alongside FSF Blogger of the Year 2016 and TFT senior writer, Andrew Flint, Paul Sarahs, a commentator for major media outlets around the world, and Nima Tavalleay of Goal and Sempre Inter for this fascinating and high energy debate about the governance of football.
1hr 6m Apr 28, 2017
1hr 6m
Interview with former Bayern Munich and Germany under-21 midfielder Frank Gerster
Join host Jim Hart and co-host and senior writer for TFT Jon Townsend for a unique interview with former Bayern Munich and Germany under-21 midfielder Frank Gertser. Frank talk about his career and his exciting project, German Football Experience, a unique football school in Frankfurt where he has partnered with Justin Rose.
29m Mar 30, 2017
29m
In celebration of football's one-club stalwarts
Jim Hart hosts a one-off special celebrating the game's greatest one-club men, with guests Chris Darwen from Tales from the Top Flight, Luca Hodges-Ramon, editor of The Gentleman Ultra and TFT regular, and Jon Townsend, TFT's longest-serving senior writer.
1hr 2m Mar 02, 2017
1hr 2m
The Calcio Magazine and contemporary Serie A
Join host Jim Hart and Italian football experts Luca Hodges-Ramon, Blair Newman and Emmet Gates as they break down some of the articles from TFT's recently released Calcio magazine as well as wider Serie A topics and what Chinese money may mean for the future of the Italian game.
1hr 7m Jan 15, 2017
1hr 7m
Should we bring Safe Standing to British football?
We cover the controversial topic of Safe Standing in the British game. Joining host Jim Hart is Pete Daykin from The Football Supporters' Federation, Dave Tomlinson, the Supporters Liaison Officer from Crewe Alexandria and a Safe Standing advocate, and TFT's award-winning senior writer Andrew Flint.
1hr 7m Jan 02, 2017
1hr 7m
The tragedy of Chapecoense and wider South American football
Jim Hart hosts a special podcast to discuss the Chapecoense air disaster. Joining Jim is South American football expert, Miami FC commentator and CONCACAF announcer, Juan Arango, along with beIN SPORTS analyst George D Metellus. The panel discuss the tragedy, along with the state of wider Brazilian and South American football.
1hr 1m Dec 02, 2016
1hr 1m
Why US Soccer is standing in the way of national team progress
Host Jim Hart holds a discussion with former US national team player and former under-17 head coach and MLS manager, Erik Imler. Also joining Jim is senior writer Jon Townsend, who is a youth coach in St. Louis and one of the most respected writers on the US game. Erik and Jon discuss the impact of Bruce Arena taking over from Jürgen Klinsmann as national team head coach as well as what it mean...
1hr Nov 29, 2016
1hr
The uncertain future of Catalan football
It's tough to predict what the future of Catalan football holds. In a region dominated by talk of political independence, host Euan McTear and special guests Alexandra Jonson, Samuel Marsden, David Cartilidge and Igansi Torné look at the state of FC Barcelona and La Masia, the rise of smaller regional teams, and wider issues from a spectacular football landscape.
45m Nov 11, 2016
45m
The Football Italia Years: Part II
In part two of The Football Italia Years, host Jim Hart spoke to calcio writers and experts Blair Newman, Luca Hodges-Ramon - authors of the written series - and Dominic Bliss to talk about the Italian game in the 1990s, how it ruled the world, and the legacy of Channel 4's excellent coverage in the UK.
1hr Sep 25, 2016
1hr
The Football Italia Years
To accompany our series The Football Italia Years, host Jim Hart caught up with calcio writers and experts Blair Newman, Luca Hodges-Ramon - authors of the series - and Dominic Bliss to talk about the Italian game in the 1990s, how it ruled the world, and the legacy of Channel 4's excellent coverage in the UK.
1hr 3m Sep 19, 2016
1hr 3m
A chat with US legend Marcelo Balboa
In the history of the United States national team, only four men have made more appearances than Marcelo Balboa's 127. We caught up with the former midfield star to talk about his three World Cup experiences, player development, the national team today and his roots in Argentina.
59m Aug 19, 2016
59m
Where next for English football?
Following yet another big tournament disappointment for England, the attention has now shifted onto what what wrong and how we can learn from the countless mistakes of yesteryear. We break down the issues from the methods of coaching deployed at the grassroots levels and at academies to the professional game, and why English players are still lagging behind their main competitors from the conti...
55m Jul 05, 2016
55m
The secrets of football blogging
Football blogging has, on the surface, never been in a better state. With blogs popping up daily and many bloggers going on to write for some of the major online media outlets, we examine the truth behind the world of online football writing. With TFT senior writers Jon Townsend, Andrew Flint, Jim Hart and host Omar Saleem - who share some of their own secrets - we break down how to become a be...
58m Jun 14, 2016
58m
The mysterious world of Russian football
In two years' time the world will descend upon Russia for the FIFA World Cup, and we have brought you the inside story on what makes their football tick. Our panel consists of Moscow-based Alan Moore, a columnist for Russia's largest sports news portal Championat, Manuel Veth, Editor-in-Chief of Soviet football site Futbolgrad, Toke Theilade, Editor-in-Chief of Russian Football News, and Andrew...
1hr 6m Jun 08, 2016
1hr 6m
Copa América Centenario special
The Copa América Centenario, which takes place in the US from June 4-26, promises to be one of the most nostalgic and fascinating in the tournament's history. The Lob's distinguished panel of experts, previewing the tournament, includes Tim Vickery, who covers football for the BBC and ESPN, Juan Arango, who will be performing the Spanish language broadcasts of the Copa América for CONCACAF, and...
1hr 5m May 27, 2016
1hr 5m
The art and science of player development and coaching
How do the professionals go about their business in the areas of analysis, scouting, coaching and player development? We find out by speaking to Jed Davies (consultant to an international head coach), Kevin Nicholson (Cardiff City under-21 manager), Johnny McKinstry (Rwanda national team manager) and Joey Lombardi (regional talent manager for the Canadian Soccer Association).
59m May 23, 2016
59m
Deconstructing American Soccer (Part II)
Deconstructing American Soccer (part II) is a discussion of the economics of the American version of the game. Joining us is award-winning economist from the University of Michigan and author of Soccernomics and Money and Soccer, Stefan Szymanski. This in depth interview, hosted by Jim Hart and Jon Townsend, takes a look at why Major League Soccer is structured so differently than most other le...
54m May 16, 2016
54m
The Challenges facing Irish football
How can football in Northern Ireland and the Republic improve? From a lack of players plying their trade at the highest levels of the game, to development issues in youth coaching, Colin Millar (NI Football Daily, The Mirror), Conor Kelly (The Final Third, FourFourTwo) and Matt Gault (The Guardian, FourFourTwo) break down the challenges facing Irish football and look ahead to the Euros.
1hr 3m May 15, 2016
1hr 3m
Deconstructing American Soccer (Part I)
What is the reality behind the state of football in the US? With MLS deemed by many to be quickly becoming one of the best leagues in world football, and talked up by Commissioner Don Garber as having the potential to be a world leader by 2022, what are the challenges hindering progress? Jon Townsend, Jim Hart and Nate Abaurrea break down the US game in The Lob: Deconstructing American Soccer.
1hr 5m May 11, 2016
1hr 5m
The wonderful world of Basque football
Basque football represents one of the most intriguing stories in the global game. A small region of Spain, it continually produces some of the best young talent in the nation as well as sporting stories at club level. We break down the regional game with Euan McTear, author of Eibar The Brave, Nate Abaurrea, host of World Soccer Talk, Jon Arregi, director of the Eibar Foundation, and Salvador A...
1hr 2m May 03, 2016
1hr 2m
Defending in the modern game, with Jamie Carragher
Has the standard of defending declined in the modern era? By looking around at the depth in talent across the upper echelons of the game, it's clear that fewer world-class players are around today in defensive positions compared to just a decade ago. With special guest Jamie Carragher - a man who made over 700 appearances for Liverpool - These Football Times examine the state of defending in Th...
1hr 4m Apr 26, 2016
1hr 4m