Aston Villa's First Title in 30 Years

23:30Today the fatigue was there, Augie, possibly for the players, but possibly for Pep Guardiola. Like I said, it's been a long tenure, a very successful tenure, though, but now we know it's coming to an end at Manchester City. So what is next for City in what we now know will be a post-Pep era?

23:47Mark Ogden:Well, we're all pretty certain it's going to be Enzo Marescu, which, you know, he's a Premier League manager, got experience, has won trophies at Chelsea. I think that's a significant drop-off from what you're getting with Pep Guardiola, but then who wouldn't be? You know, Pep Guardiola is arguably the best manager the Premier League's ever seen. I think he's on a par with Alex Ferguson, if not better. I mean, that's a debate that you could have all day long. But, you know, so when Pep leaves, there's going to be a drop-off because players signed for Pep Guardiola. They played for Pep Guardiola.

24:13Mark Ogden:They stayed for Pep Guardiola. he raised levels to things that Enzo Mureska or any other coach couldn't do. So I just think it's going to be so tough for Mureska to come in and replicate what Guardiola did. I think a lot of the players that stay are thinking, you know, is my time up at City? What does Erling Haaland think? Does Erling Haaland think, yeah, I want to stick around and play for Enzo Mureska. Erling Haaland signed for Man City's play for Pep Guardiola. And that is the reality, that a lot of these players went to Man City. Not for Man City, for Pep Guardiola. So I think it's going to be really, really hard for City to have anything like this success they've had.

24:45Mark Ogden:You know, we saw what happened at Liverpool. Anis Lopp came in and Jurgen Klopp's team won the title last season. That could happen at City. But I just don't see it. I really don't see it. I think that Mareska is a strange choice. I just don't think he's going to be anywhere near capable of replicating what Guardiola's done. Frank, what do you make of Enzo Mareska coming in? Of course, he did bring some success to Chelsea in his time there and winning the Club World Cup that we're never going to forget about. but do you agree with Augie in the sense that it's going to be a big drop-off now from Pep Guardiola?

25:15It will be. It will be and I 100 % agree with Augie. I mean when you have Pep Guardiola who buys players and where you see players willing to come because of Pep Guardiola, you will have something changing very soon next summer to see if those players want to stay or not. because of Enzo Maresca. And with all due respect, and it would happen to 99 % of new coaches coming to Manchester City. Players will have question marks about their future and they want to be coached by somebody like Pep Guardiola. But there is nobody like Pep Guardiola. And there is one of a kind. And it's only fair for the players to wonder if they should stay or not.

26:00So Enzo Maresca comes. He has a talent. He made Chelsea play better, but overall something's going to change. So if they start winning games at the beginning of the season, everything's going to go for the best. But it can go very quickly, kind of dramatic for Manchester City if they start losing games, if we see the players not being in their best. And for the past two years, what we've seen with Manchester City, and Guardiola was there. So players have to wake up, players have to take responsibility because of their talent, they can help also Maresca to have a good season and to settle down pretty smoothly, I would say.

26:41Hitzel, Manchester City only finishing second, just a couple of points behind Arsenal this season. They almost pushed the Gunners to the last day of the season. Do you expect them to still be title contenders next season, even with Pep Guardiola leaving and Enzo Maresca potentially coming in? Well, if the players stay there, and obviously the squad is very, very good. I can't imagine everybody thinking now, new manager Enzim Oresko, he's not as good as Pep, we need to leave. Where are they going to go? Are they going to go to Chelsea because Xabi Alonso is there? They've got enough players already.

27:14So I think, yeah, they're in the mix again. I thought, going back a year after Liverpool had won the Premier League, I thought they're going to do it again. They looked so strong. And then look what happened. So, you know, you've got three, four really, really good teams and Man City is one of them. and then obviously Liverpool and Arsenal. And then let's wait and see what happens to Manchester United. So they're probably the top four teams and it's going to be a close race again. It's great for the Premier League. But I think it's a bit harsh to say that about Maresca because I think we all know now how difficult it is to work at Chelsea.

27:48And let's not forget he won the Club World Cup. So that counts for something. Let's not forget Frank and Chelsea. There is too much teasing about that Club World Cup platform. For the last two minutes, is what I heard twice. Twice will be too much. I was merely stating the stats. All right, Augie, let me come back to you now for the red side of Manchester. Manchester United, that is. What's the latest on how soon they'll announce Michael Carrick as permanent manager?

28:17Mark Ogden:Well, we know that it's a done deal. So, announcement, we're still waiting to be told when they're going to do it. I don't know what they're waiting for, to be honest, because we all know it's done. And United's got nothing to play for now. They're guaranteed in third. but Carrick is the, I won't say it's the long term option, he's the next couple of years, he's got Steve Holland there as his coach, I think there's a hope at United that they can have a bit of stability now, that they can maybe grow with Carrick, because maybe like Arsenal's done under Arteta, an inexperienced coach that comes in, knows the club, can kind of slowly build the club up to what it used to be, but then United always want to win yesterday, they're like Liverpool are the same, they're a club that has such a big history of winning trophies, that United can't wait for too long, and you're asking before, can Arsenal kick on and kind of have a period of success?

28:59Mark Ogden:You have to say that next season's Premier League title race is wide open because Arsenal are a team that needs to be better going forward to prove they can retain the title. But you've got Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea, City. They're all in different stages of transition. But if one of those clubs can kind of leap from the pack, then they can challenge for the title. So if Man United make a couple of decent signings, then maybe United can challenge for the title next season. Not because they're a great team, but because there isn't really an outstanding team there to stop them. So I do think United could be in the mix if Carrick settles down and gets the right players in.

29:29Mark Ogden:But, yeah, we might still be waiting in the middle of the summer for them to announce him officially. Ooh, United in the mix for the title race next season, Stevie. I know you don't want to say it, but do you agree with Augie in the sense that maybe there's more contenders than we are thinking at this present moment? Well, I think so, yeah. I think, you know, if we were to put a bit on, we don't put our money on Arsenal right now. but there is the potential for as Augie said somebody figuring it out, making some real signings and putting it all together, now that could be United it could also be Liverpool it could be City under Maresca so yeah it is quite wide open there aren't many teams that have won back to back Premier Leagues so straight away that's just a little question that Arsenal have to sort out So, yeah, I think it is pretty open.

30:22Our Mark Ogden, always talking a lot of sense. That's why we have you on, Augie. All right, well, if you want to hear more about what Augie has to say, plus some more snippets and content from our show, make sure to head on over to our YouTube channel. Just look for ESPN FC, and while you're there, hit subscribe.

30:39Mark Ogden:The NFL schedule dropped, and it's time to settle up. There's road trips to plan, hotels to book, tickets to split, tailgates to cover, and scores to settle. All the things for the season. But now, when you send$10 or more to a friend with PayPal by May 28th, you can win two tickets to every home game of your favorite team. Yep, the entire season. Visit paypal.com slash P2P sweeps, no purchase is necessary. See websites for details, including how to enter by mail. Brought to you by PayPal, official peer-to-peer payment sponsor of the NFL. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy.

31:13Mark Ogden:But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Granger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER, clickgrainger.com, or just stop by. Well, Xavi Alonso has been in the headlines because we now know that he will become the next Chelsea manager.

31:50X-Factor is what some of the papers are calling it. Frank, is this a good move by Chelsea? It is a great move. And I'm very sorry for Stevie and Liverpool because we were, of course, expecting him to sign for Liverpool. And I'm very surprised. and that was my first thought. But what a signing. And I have to say, because I like bragging about friends and VIPs that I know, I texted Betta Degbali saying, what a move, man. I'm so happy and so proud of you because that is the coach that we needed. And on top of it, it's not going to be only the coach. It's going to be the manager. So hopefully he's going to get all the control of the recruitment and everything goes around the field.

32:34And I'm sure he's going to be successful. I mean, he showed what he was capable of doing with Bayern Leverkusen. He wasn't able to have the control with Real Madrid, but I want to believe that he will have with Chelsea. And finally, the board of Chelsea understood the kind of personal they needed to make that team better. So I'm absolutely pleased. I want to congratulate the board for that choice because that was a perfect choice for me. I really hope it's going to work. Stevie, does this sting a little from a Liverpool perspective, given that all roads pointed to Liverpool for Xabi Alonso do you feel like they've missed out big time?

33:10Mark Ogden:Well I think the Alonso to Liverpool was the fairy tale wasn't it? I mean everybody loves it we work with Disney so why not give us some of it? But we see fairy tales always work out Listen we were talking about Liverpool yesterday and we were talking about how the hierarchy the owners FSG whoever's making all the decisions Shaq in particular was talking about how they haven't heard anything from them. You know, I don't want to hear owners and directors of football chirping in the papers and talking about situations. I'm more than happy for it to be quiet because they know what they're doing. FSG hasn't done an awful lot wrong since they got to Liverpool and certainly appointing Arnie Slott wasn't a bad move this time last year when they were picking up the trophy.

34:02Mark Ogden:Now, things have just gone a little haywire that Xabi Alonso seemed the perfect or the ideal situation to jump on. But I trust the FSG. And if they really wanted Xabi Alonso and he wanted to go to Liverpool, that would have been done and dusted. So I think Liverpool know what they're doing. and more than happy to not have Liverpool owners and FSG all over the papers telling us all what they're trying to do and how they're going to be doing this and that. So far, they've acted. And we've seen how it turns out when they act. And up until now, generally, it's been success. So I'm not so sure that the Xavi Alonso thing is something that Liverpool fans and Liverpool owners are desperately sad about because they just might have something else up their sleeve.

34:58Augie, do you think that Liverpool have something else up their sleeve or are they missing out on Xabi Alonso?

35:05Mark Ogden:From what I've been told, there was never really a hard interest in Xabi Alonso. I mean, a couple of years ago when Jurgen Klopp was going, there was a tentative interest, but it was made pretty clear early on that Xabi Alonso was staying at Leverkusen. Since then, I've not been given any indication that he was someone that they were really pursuing. and I think there are various different reasons for that. I think one is stylistic as well. I think he did favour a three at the back at Leverkusen, changed it a bit at Real Madrid, but Liverpool didn't want to go to a three at the back, so they went with Arnie Slott and Slott just worked out.

35:33Mark Ogden:You could argue that sometimes having a club legend as your manager makes it to pick up for the people above him if the fans will automatically side with the club legend. No, I don't think he was ever really a strong candidate, but have they got anything up their sleeve? What they've got up their sleeve is to stick with Arnie Slott and hope it gets better next season because I think they realise that, or they accept, that he's had a difficult season for a variety of different reasons. Look, last summer they made mistakes in the transfer market and he really wanted a centre-half, they didn't get it.

36:00Mark Ogden:They overloaded up front and they ended up signing a centre-forward and Isak, who wasn't fit when he arrived, whose fault was that? But that wasn't Arnie Slott's, that was Isak's for not training properly. So a lot of issues befell Arnie Slott. One was Mo Salah, who continues to be an issue right up to his very last game. So I think when the summer comes and Salah's gone and Isak gets fit and they maybe get a couple of players in, the hope that Arnest Lott can kind of go back to where he was at the start of his first season. But all the Liverpool fans I speak to, and that doesn't include Stevie, are not happy the way that he plays his football.

36:28Mark Ogden:They think he's too cautious, he's too unemotional. There's a disconnect between Arnest Lott and the fans, which might ultimately force FSG to act. But I don't expect them to act anytime soon. I think he'll be there at the start of next season. Hitz, what do you make of Liverpool sticking with Arnest Lott when, as Augie said, there seems to be a disconnect between him and the fans? It's a tough one, honestly, because we were just talking about Xabi Alonso and you'd think this is a sort of fairy tale. If you can go in for Xabi Alonso, you want to get him. But getting rid of Arnislot now, a difficult season, where they can obviously still qualify for the Champions League, then life seems to be OK for them.

37:06It's a tough one. I think they're taking the risk because if they don't start well into the new season, people turn around and say it was obvious they should have acted quicker and sooner. I think they take a big risk on the other hand I'm actually surprised Xavi Alonso chose Chelsea Football Club from the other side you say brilliant signing Chelsea they've done well to get him I'm not quite sure what he saw in Chelsea right now to go with him because there are two potential clubs for him where you think people are waiting for him to sign for that's Liverpool Football Club and Bayern Munich two of his former clubs but obviously as we know with Bayern Munich they've got the best possible manager they can have right now in Vincent Kompany.

37:46So it's not easy. I think Liverpool, they will have a tough season ahead of them. But I hope not only for Steve, but also my other Liverpool friends that I'm wrong.

37:56Mark Ogden:You thought this was your run club era. Turns out it was more of a thinking about run club era. The good news? Someone's marathon training is about to start. Sell your workout gear on Depop. Just snap a few photos and we'll take care of the rest. They get their race day fit and you get a payout for trying. Someone on Depop wants what you've got. Start selling now. Depop, where taste recognizes taste. This is what everyone's talking about. Everything's on the table. This is what champions come to take. This is what everyone came to see. And the slam! No do-overs. No second chances. No more Mr. Nice Guy.

38:46Mark Ogden:This is Winner Take All. And it's all happening now on the home of the NBA Finals. Don't miss it. June 3rd on ABC and the ESPN app. All right. Well, Xabi Alonso will be looking to return Chelsea to their glory days. Something that a certain Jose Mourinho was able to do when he was at Chelsea. Just have a look at his extensive managerial career. However, we now discuss that the Jose of then is not quite the Jose Mourinho we see today. But that did not matter for Florentino Perez and Real Madrid because they went for the nostalgic decision in choosing to appoint him again as Madrid manager to hopefully steady that shape.

39:30Frank, Sid spoke about this a lot this weekend and said that, look, there was a lot of nostalgia involved in this decision. but is that the right decision you think for Real Madrid? Can he still be that special one that we saw at Chelsea and at Madrid? Well, I wish him the best and I would love to see him being successful and that we don't know. I mean, the time that he was successful is different than the time now in terms of players, the mentality of the players, the way they think their lives and their football, The statistics go in. And when we talk about Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé, we know what we are talking about.

40:14They are excellent players, fantastic players in statistics. But in terms of sharing times, tracking back, we have an issue. And I cannot think of anybody but Jose Mourinho for maybe changing those things and being maybe able to say, Kylian Mbappe, you don't want to track back, you'll go on the bench and you're going to learn. And when you're going to be ready, you're going to play again. And maybe being the father that the players need, but a very strict one. And I know he knows how to do that. He's been very good with all the team that he was dealing with before those times with Roma, Spurs, Fenerbahce and Benfica.

41:00but with all due respect with those clubs they're not Chelsea, Real Madrid for example or Inter Milan so it's maybe why he wasn't that successful maybe financially they didn't have the money for Jose to be successful so I want to believe it's possible I have question marks of course but I think it's going to be entertaining for sure it's going to be entertaining it's going to be entertaining indeed Thomas how do you think this will pan out? well we want to be entertained and i agree you know this is this is a great so i think it's great and i over the years i looked at him thinking i'm not really a big fan of shows in marina now i've become a big fan and and real madrid right now it's about man management you know and and you know frank just mentioned vinnie jr mbappé they have two big egos but they're excellent football players so there are very few managers out there who i think they will listen to but Jose Mourinho is one of them and therefore Real Madrid they to me it seems like they always think short term they want to win the next game they're there to win the next season and get far in the Champions League so what's the best quickest solution we can get and Jose Mourinho is available he wants to go there that's why I think it is a good solution they tried Xabi Alonso didn't work out he couldn't manage the big egos and that's why I love it because I want to be entertained and I actually do believe they can play some good football under him.

42:25Xabi Alonso couldn't manage the big egos. Stevie, you think Jose can at this point in time?

42:30Mark Ogden:Whichever way it goes, we're going to be entertained. Oh yeah, we for sure. Because if Vinny and Mbappé don't want to listen to them, then we're going to have all the theatrics and all the carry-on and all the nonsense. More whistles. And if they do listen to them, then we're going to be entertained on the football field. So regardless, we're going to win. But it's a toss of a coin, whether it goes that way or that way. Augie which way do you think it'll go knowing Jose his style and his man management Listen I love Jose I think the first time around you know Chelsea and Porto and Real Madrid he was brilliant and he was box office but whatever happened at Real Madrid it kind of changed him the first time it changed I think whether it was coming up against Pep Guardiola's Barcelona when he realised he wasn't the king anymore and he's never really recovered from that but maybe age and wisdom and experience might make him calm down a bit but you just know that there's going to be fireworks there's going to be fireworks off the pitch there's going to be fireworks in the dressing room I think you can chuck Jude Bellingham into the mix of egos as well so there's got a lot of egos to manage in that dressing room so I hope it works out but I do think that you know he's over 20 years now since his peak 20 years a lot of these players weren't even born you know so I don't know I'm wishful thinking I hope it works out but I don't think it will I just think it'll end in tears as usual Augie ever the beacon of positivity isn't he All right.

43:54Well, we will see exactly how Jose does next season. Remember, La Liga is on ESPN. But if you have a look at this season, it's not done yet. Yes, things at the top are done, but the relegation battle is hot, hot, hot. Just look at how many teams are on 42 points. Girona at the moment in 18 position. But if they do win on the final day, they could overhaul a couple of teams and save themselves. We will see exactly what happens. You can bet the final day. will be this weekend on ESPN+. Here is the whole slate of matches. Saturday's coverage beginning at 2.30 p.m.

44:33Well, we talked about Jose Mourinho being entertaining at Real Madrid, but this Spygate saga involving Southampton has been entertaining. They appealed the fact that they were expelled from the championship playoffs, and this has been the result. A league arbitration panel has today dismissed Southampton Football Club's appeal against the Independent Disciplinary Commission's decision in respect of breach of EFL regulations. As a result, the original sanction remains in force. Southampton's expulsions from the championship playoff stands alongside the four-point deduction to be applied to next season.

45:09And the record and the reprimand in respect of all charges. Augie, this has just gone from very bad to worse for Southampton.

45:20Mark Ogden:It has. Listen, their appeal was based on the fact that they admitted the charge. It wasn't a case of contesting the charge, it was contesting the punishment. They felt the punishment was too severe, that the chance to miss out on a£200m promotion to the Premier League was too much. But I don't think there's much sympathy for that view. This panel that heard the appeal today was a different panel than the one that handed down the initial judgement. so they've been found to be guilty and they've been found that the punishment that fits the crime the football crime is to be kicked out of the playoff final now you know I've not heard many football people think that's a bad decision I think that they were they were caught spying on Middlesbrough ahead of a playoff semi-final so did they learn something in those spying missions that talk about set pieces about selection about about man marking so I think that you know justice has been served and Seth Hampton have to get on with it now but I think the issue now going forward is that will other clubs get involved?

46:10Mark Ogden:We've heard whispers that Rexham might not be happy because they were the team that missed out in the playoffs that maybe Millwall might not be happy because they obviously lost to Hull so they should feel they should get another go at it. So this will run and run. This is ended right now for the playoff final. The playoff final goes ahead. It's Hull versus Middlesbrough but this isn't the end of the story. There'll be more issues to be addressed going forward because we already know that they admitted to spying on Oxford and Ipswich as well. Have there been other instances that will emerge during the next few weeks?

46:37Mark Ogden:So this story hasn't gone away. This story is not going away. Indeed, it has been very entertaining. But the real winner in this has been Kay Murray, our Kay Murray. She is absolutely buzzing. And we are buzzing for her because she deserves to be at that championship playoff final. Mark Ogden, thank you so much for joining us today and just bringing your positivity. It truly, truly is appreciated. Ogden, we'll catch up with you again soon. Anytime. time. All right. Well, let's talk about Portugal now, shall we? Because they announced their squad for this summer's World Cup. And look at that. At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo has been included, which will make it a record sixth World Cup for the big man.

47:22But some of us doubted that he would even be in Portugal's plans. Have a listen.

47:30Mark Ogden:He will absolutely 100 % not be playing in a World Cup. Why do you say that? We're talking about two years' time, Dan. There is absolutely no way in two years' time he's going to be leading Portugal. But it's going to have to be his decision, not Martinez. I'll put any money you want on, Dan. He will not be leading the line in two years' time. He won't.

47:52All right, we had to reach for that clip from two years ago.

47:56Mark Ogden:Absolutely stitched up. Well, in your defence, you said that he will not be leading the line, which could still be true. Well, I think I'm going to be proved wrong because when they open up against Congo, he's going to be playing centre-forward. He said put any amount of money on it. Which I think tells you more about Portuguese football than Ronaldo. You've got a 41-year-old leading the line. But it's not just any 41-year-old. This is Cristiano Ronaldo. You feel like rules don't apply when it comes to the likes of him and Leo Messi Look Ronaldo to be playing At the level he's playing at 41 years old Is remarkable I mean it's incredible But Let's think about this logically You've got a 41 year old And you think you're going to win the World Cup with a 41 year old You're sending it forward I mean come on There's a lot of things you need Yes you need somebody who knows how he put the ball in the back of the net.

48:57Mark Ogden:And if there's one thing he knows, he knows how to do that. But you know what? The rest of the game, he's not going to be involved in it. Because if he is involved in it, it's going to break down. I mean, these are just facts. These are just facts. I think it says more about Portugal than it does about Ronaldo, that he's going to start as a 41-year-old in this World Cup. Imagine if Portugal win the World Cup and we can just take that clip of Stevie saying Portugal are never going to win a World Cup with a 41-year-old. Frank, do you have any issues with it? Because you know exactly what it's like and what it takes to win a World Cup.

49:35I don't have an issue because I was sure it would be in. And I don't know if it's deserved or not, but I wouldn't have seen Portugal without Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, having said that, I still put Portugal for me as the third favorite for the World Cup after Spain and France because of the squad that they have. And for me, it's not when Cristiano Ronaldo is beyond the field that you will have an issue because people are going to work with him. And he proved this season that he was able to score goals. but it will be when Martinez decides to put him on the bench and say, okay, you need to rest because otherwise you're going to maybe injure yourself or I want somebody more defensive for that game.

50:24How he's going to react? If he reacts well, if he supports the squad, everything is going to go perfect. But if he starts, you know, behaving like, I want to play, it's not normal, that's going to be a problem. But I believe that this guy is a smart guy. He knows that he's 41. He knows that he cannot play every game. And so I want to believe that Portugal is going to be very, very good and a real threat for every team, any team, sorry, in the World Cup. A sixth World Cup. Thomas, this is truly remarkable. Great achievement, absolutely. But, you know, you look at the squad and you think this is one of the best squads in the World Cup and totally agree with Frank, say, you know, the top three, top four team going into the World Cup.

51:05they don't need Cristiano Ronaldo. So if they do win the World Cup, it's not because of him, it's in spite of Ronaldo. And I don't know how intelligent he is, and it's not for me to judge, but I remember seeing him on the touchline, it was a Euros or a World Cup in the past, where he actually enjoyed that role, coaching, being on the sidelines and being kind of that leader. If he accepts that role... Oh, of course you would know that. So, yeah, I think if he accepts that role, if he goes there, then they have a real good chance. But I believe he wants to be part of the show. It's going to be a big, big show.

51:46We all know that. And he wants to be part of that show. But I don't think he's going to excite us on the pitch for more than a few minutes here and there. Stevie, Frank, go ahead, Frank. And also, Alexi, sorry, Alexi. And also, you know, after seeing Messi winning the last World Cup, I think it will be fantastic to see Ronaldo winning the next one. Of course, it will be very sad for France. But, you know, it would be an achievement of this fight that we saw for almost two decades between those two. So Messi winning the 22, him winning the 26. I mean, that would be great because Ronaldo deserves a World Cup for sure.

52:28Frank is such a romantic at heart. Absolutely love it. But Stevie, quickly, what do you think? because you are kind of poo-pooing Portugal's squad and Frank and Thomas are saying that it's actually one of the best out there.

52:38Mark Ogden:Hold on a second. Well, you said that the fact that they have a 41-year-old there in their squad that will be leading the line as the centre forward tells you a lot more about Portugal's football. So who else is going to score the goals if Ronaldo's not? No, you're right, but I was just saying maybe you're not giving... Oh, so why are you having a go at me and now you're saying I'm right? Maybe you're not giving this Portugal's loss as much credit as it should. No, make your mind. Listen, I don't take Cristiano Ronaldo or all day, every day. He could be 55 years old. You know that's my goal. You've got your wires mixed up.

53:05All right.

53:06Mark Ogden:What I said was, if he's leading the line, that's going to affect him in terms of winning the World Cup. Well, if we've learned anything from this segment, it's that you really cannot trust anything Stevie Nicholls says. So let's show you some World Cup odds to win. Man United is going to win the Premier League next year. There you go. Listen, we finished ahead of you this season. Well, Portugal, despite what Stevie says, are six favourites to win the World Cup. Germany right below them as seventh favorites. Now, Germany are expecting to announce their squad tomorrow. That's Thursday. Now, we're hearing certain names that will be involved, including the great Manu Neuer, Lennart Karl, who has absolutely entertained us all season long in the Bundesliga, and El Mala.

53:49So, Thomas Hitzelsberger, tell us what are your thoughts and what else you're expecting from this squad announcement. now what I just saw I probably agree with most of it I'm a bit surprised to see England so high up because I don't rate them as much we all are we have explanations for that right okay the bookmakers are English but the journey I sort of agree they because now with the squads they're an okay squad but in the last few days Julian Nagelsmann has done a really bad job in communicating what is going on because for so long he said his number one would be Frank Baumann, sorry, Sven Baumann in goal from Hoffenheim.

54:32Oliver Baumann believed to go there as a number one and only recently it went out in the press that Julian Nagelsmann is considering bringing Manu Neuer back but it was never official and in the last couple of days the names got out in the public who would be in the squad but the official announcement is tomorrow. So in terms of communication, Julian Nagelsmann has completely lost the authority. And that's why he was not genuine with some of his players. This is a very poor start going into the preparation for the World Cup. I think in terms of quality, they're OK. If they get to the quarterfinal, I'd say it would probably be a success.

55:09Any further than that, I don't think they can get there. Probably around before the quarters, they could meet France. And I would believe that's the end of Germany then. but maybe I'm too optimistic here. Like Stevie said before when I was watching Villa, when you support a team, you tend to be too negative. Frank, when we said that Germany were right below Portugal, there are seven favourites to win. I believe you had a remark. You couldn't believe it. No, I couldn't believe Brazil being fourth in front of Portugal. That's why I was surprised. Yeah, we're always surprised with England being third and almost being the first one because of the bookmakers.

55:49But we are used to that, I would say. But Brazil force, I want to understand why, you know, because according to what we said and the result that we saw, no, I don't think they deserve to be in that position. Portugal is better. Argentina is better. And Germany, you know what? Because of the history of football, you have to respect Germany. I saw them playing against France not a long time ago, and they played very, very well. So you have to respect the German football because, you know, we remember what Gary Lineker said about the Germans. So it's not quite there. They're not quite there, but they're not too far from there.

56:31Not too far from there. They got knocked out twice in the group stages in the previous two World Cups. So the status of being, you know, that dominant force in World Cups is gone a little bit. Yeah, we know during UEFA qualifying we did talk a lot about how Germany was kind of very underwhelming I mean they did go up against France as as Frank pointed out and did up their game a bit Now do you expect them to up their game because this is the main tournament Stevie? Can they at least get out the group and not have the nightmare repeat itself?

56:57Mark Ogden:Well, I think we're getting out of the group But I kind of tend to go with Thomas Quarterfinals? Yeah Yeah, but not too much further than that I agree about the England and I definitely agree about the Brazil I think Brazil is only fourth because Ancelotti is the manager. Anybody else, had they had another Brazilian guy they've plucked from nowhere as the manager, I don't think they'd be anywhere close to fourth. That's 100 % the Ancelotti factor. Well, we do see that that Ancelotti effect when he left Real Madrid does go a long way. All right, well, Thomas Hitzelsberger, this has been your first full 90 on ESPN FC.

57:36We weren't that intimidating, were we? How did you find it? Not at all. I love you guys and I want to be back soon. Oh, we love him. We pay him to say that. Well, we're going to let you go and enjoy a big night for Aston Villa. We hope to have you again soon. And if you're having any big steins, make sure to invite us, though, because I want to know that. Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Yes, please. Bye, Thomas. Thank you very much. Thank you. Bye-bye. All right. Well, we do know that Thomas definitely loves his Aston Villa, but he also loves his other former club, Stuttgart. They're going up against Bayern Munich in quite the task.

58:07It's the DFB Pokal Final. That's Saturday, 2 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPNU and ESPN+. But join us 30 minutes before kickoff for the pre-show. All right, well, that's going to do it for this edition of ESPN FC. Do not go anywhere, though, because I have your questions here. Thanks for stitching me up, by the way. How did I stitch you up?

58:28Mark Ogden:Yeah, right. Did you not watch what was going on during the program? I did not know. I did not know. That's our producers at Stitching Up TV. I would never. Extra time is next. Never. Never. All right, welcome into Extra Time. Alexis Nunes alongside Stevie Nicholl and our Frank Leboeuf. Let's get straight into this. Would you count Unai Emery among the top managers in football right now? Frank, top 10 rather. Top 10? Yes. Wow. I have to count, babe. But it will be it will be maybe as eight or nine I would say of the top maybe maybe There'll be more but you have to put yeah you have to put Guardiola you have to put How many do I have a club of course?

59:20Recently, of course, so we say that something like Yes, and see flick right so yeah, yeah, it will be just maybe in second Because he hasn't proved in the Champions League campaign, in his own Champions League campaign, that he was capable of bringing a team far away. And we still have that bad time with Paris Saint-Germain, with Romain Tada against Barcelona. And that won't stay forever, but it's still there as a big stain. So hopefully, if he has one day a good campaign, let's say next year with Villa in the Champions League, for sure it will be in the list of the 10 best coach because he deserves it.

1:00:09He deserves it. Top 10 for you, Stevie?

1:00:12Mark Ogden:Yeah. No, I think I echo every single thing Frank said there. All the names that he brought up deserve to be ahead of him. So, yeah. All right. There you have it. Top 10 indeed. Next question. Stevie and Frank, How late into the morning did you celebrate when you won the league and or major trophies? Did you beat Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Naberiche Eze, Timber, etc., celebrating all night to go past 5 a.m. in the morning? Frank, I know you love a party. How late into the morning did you celebrate after the World Cup? Until 6 a.m. Hey! And the party was over, but I looked at the stars and I said, well, today we're not too far from you guys.

1:00:59And that's a very nice feeling. The thing is, we had to wake up at eight to go to Paris to celebrate with the fans. So that was a short night. Yeah, but worth it. Really worth it. When you looked up at the stars, were they a bit blurry? Was it actually stars? Yes. Or was it just lights? Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know what it was. But I was white. It's a little fuzzy. Stevie, what about you? Your biggest celebration.

1:01:28Mark Ogden:Well, there's only two things that stopped us. One was they shot everyone up and wouldn't give you any more. Or my good lady Eleanor had enough and wanted to go to bed. But of course, as Frank says, a couple of hours sleep and you're back at it again. Back on the wagon. You spend the next day celebrating along with it. Can I ask, was that probably your most epic hangover? I have to tell you, I must be one of the luckiest people on the planet. You don't get hangovers? I don't get hangovers. Oh geez, God's favorite. I know. Sometimes that's a cutscene. We call that habit. That's true. I can't argue with that Frank.

1:02:10You can't get a hangover if you don't stop, right? Exactly. There you go. Other than that, he's perfectly healthy, our Stevie Nichols. Next question is from Frank. Frank, you talked on Sunday about the decline in the Premier League. Could it be that the lower and mid teams are better so the top teams don't look as good as they used to or get the point totals that they used to? That's a very good question because I said at the beginning of the show and I thought about that, that on the three European final, you have Arsenal, you had Aston Villa and you had Crystal Palace. and according to what we saw today Aston Villa was much better than Freiburg so maybe that the case well for sure for Bournemouth, Brighton and I forgot the last one, maybe you're gonna help me out, before Chelsea and it showed that talent and Crystal Palace showed last year that they were very good they lost many players so maybe it's why they don't compete at the best level but But they're still there and they created problems.

1:03:17So, yes, but I still think that the level of the top teams have, I would be nice, have a little bit dropped. Stevie, do you agree?

1:03:30Mark Ogden:Yeah. That was Brentford, sorry, the last team. Yeah, and Chelsea. And Chelsea. Chelsea's in ninth. Mm-hmm. Brentford below Chelsea at the moment, right? Exactly. It really is. No, it's just before. It's a tough one to convince yourself that you're absolutely right. Because there's no question that some of the games that we've watched, we were kind of disappointed in what we've seen. And so you kind of lean towards, well, it's not as good, blah, blah, blah. But then you can't argue that three European trophies and three Premier League sides, and you've got Chelsea in ninth having spent over a billion.

1:04:09Mark Ogden:So we can't be totally wrong. maybe aesthetically it's not looking as good as we want to or maybe has been but in terms of strength and depth clearly it isn't a good spot. Alright next question. You know what Alexi sorry I'm gonna add something I think I think the Premier League lost the good aggressiveness of the football What we loved about the Premier League, the fighting spirit, we lost that. It became too much like any other country. That's why I regret about the Premier League. And whose fault is that?

1:04:52European coaches.

1:04:53Mark Ogden:Pep Guardiola. Everybody wants to play the way Pep did. And that sounds a little harsh in Pep's fault. Yeah. It is entertaining. Because the way Pep's team played, it was possession based, but there was a pace to it. But even he couldn't keep his teams doing that. Over the last two or three seasons, it has slowed way down. Then you've got Arteta going to Arsenal, and they've slowed it down. Oh, yeah. You know, we're talking about Maresca now. I mean, so, yeah, that's, I mean, Frank, 100 % agree with Frank. that the way the rules have changed that aggressiveness has been taken out it as well so there's a lot of reasons why it's not quite what we traditionally think of what an english first division or premier league game should be ah let's get back to the good old days no i want some feisty physical tackles some stevie nickel tackles some frank labeouf eric cantona yeah some fine kicks into the oh man those are the good old days that's the football even i mean Nobody got hurt, did they?

1:06:01I mean, a little scoff, Mark, but you get up, you dust yourself off. Come on, you bounce back like a woman. Anyways, moving on. Start, bench, drop. These Brazilian strikers not going to the World Cup in terms of who deserved a spot in the roster the most. Raul Pedro, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus.

1:06:21Mark Ogden:Go on, Frank. So in your order, who deserved to be in the roster? I think it's easy. Yeah, I'm sorry, but I'm okay with Ancelotti. None of them deserve maybe Joe Pedro because of the season before. But comparing to the others, I'm sorry. Richarlison is fighting for the relegation, score some goals. He's a fighter. But we're talking about Brazil, you know, and when we compare strikers that we have seen in Brazil, in the history of Brazil. It's hard to put any of those players in the first team. I love Gabriel Jesus at first, but he has been injured. He's only on the bench for the Gunners. So I will put for me...

1:07:07Oh my god. I will start Gabriel Jesus, Ben, Joe Pedro and Joe Priciarlison.

1:07:20Mark Ogden:Oh, Stevie? I thought this was an easy question. But now? I mean, there's a real... Did Brazil have a better forward in the squad than João Pedro?

1:07:35Mark Ogden:Well, better in... Please tell me the sense... Who are the forwards for Brazil in this World Cup? We have to bring it up. After Neymar. Well, that's what I was going to say. Better in what sense? But we've got Hendrik, by the way, we've got Hendrik who had to leave La Liga. But he's been doing well over in the Ligue 1. Yeah, but he's... No pressure on him, he's gone and done well. But if you bring in him based on form, I guess that's probably why. You choose based on form. There's a whole... It's not just that. There's a whole stream of reasons. Yeah, you have Rafinha. But really, come on. Are you telling me it's João Pedro?

1:08:17Mark Ogden:I'm Richard and Gabriel absolutely you understand why they're not and yeah the Brazil squad see I find it strange how Joe Pedro is not in the squad well Ancelotti did say it pains him and it makes him very sad not to put him in but he just didn't make sure that makes Joe Pedro feel better so for you so for you you're starting Joe Pedro as the one who should have been there who are you benching Jesus or Richarlison? I'll bench Jesus and drop Richarlison He's a fighter though I like the spirit that Richarlison brings Well if it was World Cup boxing Then he would be in wouldn't he? Listen when I did that Copa America game Between Brazil and Uruguay That was basically a UFC fight As opposed to a football game Yeah exactly Flying kicks everywhere Cantono would have loved it Final question now Stevie despite not being an actor like Frank You've shown us your American accent before A few days ago, your Craig imitation, having spent so many years in Liverpool though, do you have a Scouse accent in your locker?

1:09:20Oh, you're joking aren't you? Scouse, mate?

1:09:26You're right. You are joking. That is very good. That's actually very good. It was like, are you Macca in disguise? Macca-zone. That was a bit London wasn't it? I know, Coles in it.

1:09:39Mark Ogden:Oh yeah, you want a bit cockney? Oh blimey, I've got bloody cockney there mate, didn't I? Alexi! Wow! Alexi, do you have the Scottish accent? Can you go on the Scottish accent? I can only say Scotland the brave. That's not Scottish. I can only say that. Yeah, you do have a little brave. Scotland the brave. That's a bit Scottish, right? That's all I know. Are you alright mate? You're alright mate? That's really nice. Are you alright? Alright Frank, are you doing Scouts mate? No, is that your Scouts or your Scottish accent? Yeah, you see. Hey Frank, you bought me in the pool. Yeah, I have Scottish accents, yeah sure.

1:10:15I did all your horn in the pool race. No, I don't have the Scouts, no, it's too hard, so. You just did a Scouts accent. I think that was Frank's Scottish accent.

1:10:23Mark Ogden:Frank can do Sean Connery. We're eating his favourite food. Frank can do that. Frank, give us your Sean Connery. I don't think Alexis knows that one. No. Goulash. Goulash. There you go. Well, Sean Connery was my favorite James Bond, so... Yeah, you're right. What a legend indeed. Now, he's no Stevie Nichol, though. My second favorite Scotsman. All right, we're going to go work on our accents, shall we? All right, Gail. All right. All right, Gail. All right, Gail. The French accent. Next time, the French accent when you speak English. French accent when you speak English. Go on, Stevie. Is that Welsh?

1:11:04Give us...

1:11:07Mark Ogden:I do not know what you are talking about. I am Frank Leboeuf. My English is not so good. You are very pepe le pie. Oh, yeah. I do think, yes, you're right. Omelette du fromage. Oh, yeah, French accent is pepe le pie. You're correct. All right, well, producer Costa says he's had enough of us having fun. So we have to wrap things up. Here's a reminder that ESPN FC is on seven days a week where you can hear us speak in a plethora of accents.

1:11:42Mark Ogden:Hey, sports fans. The ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows, and originals across every ESPN network in service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional cost. Visit activate.espn.com to learn how to access your account or sign up, then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all of ESPN, all in one place. Sign up or activate now.