Mbappe & Madrid Manage

24:25You're nodding along with Stevie here, Jan. Yeah, I do, because I think things got to change. But having said that, I think that's what we're talking about. Now also speak for Manchester City. We do agree that this has been a season so far that normal has been good enough for Arsenal. They have done their stuff. They were very lucky against Wolverhampton. But Saturday night, before they play Everton, Manchester City can be top of the league. And we all agree they haven't been top. They've been like a new signing. They still haven't got Rodrin. He will be as a new signing. Hopefully when he comes back, Erling will score his goals.

25:03So they have to sort out the defence. But I think that's what scares Ateta. Because he knows that Manchester City has not been fantastic good. But they're still just two points away from them. And yes, why I'm nodding was that this is not a team you feel will win 3-4-0 for 6-8-9-10 games as they used to do. But still, they're just winning football games. They do what they have to do. And I tell you what, with Arteta, who went to school with main teacher Pep Guardiola, he's getting his tics now because he sees that City is coming closer and closer and it's just like four weeks ago we said they could run away with it before Christmas.

25:47And it's not just their teta, is it? I suppose, Jan, it's the players as well because they feel that and they have the scar tissue from the last couple of years where they've been looking good and then Liverpool have caught them or Liverpool have outplayed them and City have beaten them and came back. So they've had these good positions in recent years and they haven't got the job done. And that sticks with you. As a player. Arsenal, I think we all agree, they have the best balanced squad in the league at the moment. We thought Liverpool had it at the start of the season when you looked at it on paper, but clearly they have their issues.

26:24But Arsenal, when you look at the front line, the middle and the back, with the subs and the replacements, it's the best balanced squad, but it's a squad that has some scar tissue in terms of getting over the line. Liverpool don't. They won't do it this year, but they don't. City don't. But Arsenal do. So, you know, that's a bit... And when you're a player, you look at the opposition, don't you? And you think, oh, my God, wouldn't it be great to be seven or eight points clear and we can have a couple of disasters, but they don't have that. I don't think you were on when I said this last week. I agree that, yes, there's a large part of the players that will have scar tissue.

27:01But I think, more importantly, the guy who will have the biggest scar tissue, who will make the difference, or maybe not make the difference, is Arteta. Yeah. You know, Pep Guardiola has been through this scenario a thousand times. He knows exactly not to panic. He knows to keep calm. His demeanour won't change. We don't know how Arteta's demeanour is going to change. And football players absolutely will catch on if the manager looks as though he's a little scared, a little unsure. All that transmits onto the players. So, for me, the scar tissue, the one you need to keep your eye on is Arteta.

27:39He's the one that might scupper things, not the players. And I suppose if they don't win it, and listen, we're a long way away from that happening. I mean, God knows what could happen between now and the end of the season. But come the middle of May and they haven't won it, how does he go and sit at a board meeting with all the financiers and the investors and say, well, what's he going to say? Well, actually, I need another striker. I need another midfielder. I need another defender because that's what he needed last year in the year before and they went out and they spent and they got it for him.

28:13And so the fact that they've gotten pretty much what he needs, although Xochrez hasn't been brilliant, and to be fair to him, the service to him hasn't been brilliant when you look at some of Arsenal's tippy-tappy football, especially against Wolves. But that doesn't matter. He's got his striker. And they'll say, well, you didn't get the best out of that striker. I mean, I'm being hypothetical here because it could happen. But that's the difficult position that he's in because they've laid it out for him and said, by the way, here's all your cover in defence, here's your cover for Saka, here's your cover for Odegaard with Eze who can play, here's your striker, now you go and you produce.

28:48And that has put a huge amount of pressure. He's got nowhere to go. There is no hiding place. He's got nowhere to go. It's the Simpsons going back into the bush. Winner boss. Homer Simpson. Going back in. One person who's certainly not hiding in the bushes is Bruno Fernandes. Remember we were telling you about his candid interview with the Portuguese station yesterday where he said he was hurt by Manchester United's readiness to offload him in the summer. This has been the reaction from the English press. Bruno, no, no, brew who? But wait, there is more. It was a two-part interview and this is more of it.

29:23He said, the moment I feel that I'm not 100 % wanted, then I will talk to the club and say that I want to leave. I would like to try the Spanish League because I've never played in Spain. I would like to play for one of the clubs in Italy that competes for big aims like the league title, especially because I really enjoyed living in Italy. Oh, Jan's shaking his head. Why is that, Jan? Well, I got a feeling that it's like anything Mo can do, I can do better. I mean, it's like, OK, he's doing that. What is also interesting, an interesting observation, and I have that all the time, because sometimes when you interview people, when they make it in their home language, they're more open.

30:02That is one thing. The best example there is Thomas Tuchel. He's two different persons in German and English. I mean, the German reporters, why? Well, how is he talking in English? Because he's so open and so cozy. That's just one observation. I think the timing here from Bruno is, yeah, I won't say scandalous, but it's very loyal. He's been, I mean, very, very important player for Manchester United. I think Manchester United in that crazy game, I was at Old Trafford, them going forward, where it was great to see Mboumo, Cunha, they're finding their possession, and is Bruno doing all these kind of things?

30:38I think he's honest. I think that he wants to be at the team that win titles. He can't see that happen at Manchester United. I'm not sure if I'm going to say it's so refreshing seeing a player being so open. I think he means this. I think he means exactly what he's saying. He wants to explore things, but still, he just signed a contract. he's an unbelievably important player for Manchester United. So I do understand that the Manchester United fans feel a bit betrayed that they're captain doing interviews like that. I'm not saying it's just up there with Salah, but it's very close. But it's very contradictory, isn't it?

31:16Yesterday, the segment one of it was, I'm disgusted, I'm paraphrasing, I'm upset and disappointed the club were willing to sell me because I love playing for this club. and now he's talking about, oh, I'd love to go to Spain and Italy. And Stevie said it yesterday. He was upset that they were looking potentially to get some money in from Saudi Arabia and he didn't want to go there. Wasn't his love for Man United? Because if it had been Real Madrid or Barcelona, he'd have been throwing all his toys out the pram if United had said, no, no, we need you here. He would have been desperate to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona.

31:51Of course he would, but he wasn't desperate to go to Saudi Arabia. Like most people are not, unless you just want the coin. So he's extremely contradicted here. In one hand, in the interview, he's saying, oh, you know, I really love Man United. And in the other hand, he knows they're a long way off it. But he just didn't get the club in the summer or the clubs in the summer pursuing them that he wanted. And so, therefore, he was slightly, it seems, upset that United were looking to maybe cash in some money on a place that he didn't want to go. It's all about Bruno, it appears. Spain or Italy, Stevie?

32:26Oh, get back to me. I'll think about it. I wouldn't mind living in Italy again. Pretty nice. But with one of the teams that's going to win the title, if you don't mind. Yeah. Yes. Make sure to join us on the latest edition of Extra Time. Jan, Craig and Stevie will be answering your questions. You can check it out over on our YouTube channel. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is back, America. And that means it's time to let the snacking begin. This summer, Leys is inviting everyone to jump on the bandwagon. Oh, you don't know the rules. you don't know any of the players doesn't matter the bandwagon is for everyone so grab a bag of lays gather friends and keep the party going lays official sponsor of the fifa world cup 2026 are you looking to rebound from your high interest credit card debt a sofi personal loan can help you get back on track consolidate your debt with a sofi personal loan into one low monthly payment and you could save money on interest over time and with as soon as the same day funding you could hit the ground running ASAP.

33:26Apply today with no fees required at SoFi.com slash Debt Rebound. Loans originated by SoFi Bank, NA member, FDIC. Terms and conditions apply, NMLS, 696891. Fast funds terms apply at SoFi.com slash Debt Rebound. Lovely stuff from Leonard Carl, who's searching away. Oh, the 17-year-old. Remember the name. Carl! Benzmourne! Oh, that is absolutely magnificent! What a star! What a talent! In the case of Lennart Carl, this guy can be the really, truly special one. Ah, there you go, buying 17-year-old Lennart Carl, who's become one of the most talked about young players in Europe right now. And in a recent sit-down interview with Harry Kane, our very own Archie Rintut talked to Kane about playing with the teenager.

34:22Yeah, I think Lenny's been great for us. I think you see the qualities he has, especially in tight areas. And I think that's been a big help for us since he's been in the team. We play a lot against kind of a low block, kind of a 5-4-1 system where teams try and drop off and make it difficult for us to kind of get through. I think Lenny helps open that space up. You know, he's so quick. He's so good on the ball. He can beat a defender similar to Jamal in that way, which I think has really helped kind of open some games up for us. It's gave him chances to score. It's gave other people chances to score.

34:58And, yeah, obviously, I think without the ball, he has a great work ethic. The way we train here, the way the boss is here, I don't think he'd let him get away with anything else. So, yeah, and that's great for him to be able to learn and to be able to help the team. So, yeah, it's great to have him. He's quite, you know, a quiet, quiet boy. only 17 in this environment, it's understandable. So I think he's just learning every day. I think he's enjoying being a part of this team, part of this group. We've loved having him in the team because he's made a difference in a lot of games this year. He has made a difference, hasn't he, Jan?

35:35And Vincent Kompany seems to have been managing this young man perfectly. He's just 17. You know what I mean? I mean, it's unbelievable. You know what's going on when you have a kid like that. The Germans, they love a wunderkind, wunderkind, as they're saying. They've had some of them, Julian Draxler. They had Musiala and Bayern. You have Florian Wirz and all. But this guy is 17. And it's a bit frightening. I'm a bit worried because he was built and bred in Eintracht Frankfurt. And then he left Eintracht going to Bayern. He's still living at the Bayern camp. He's living in a student home. And he's one of the hottest properties in football right now.

36:14next year or his parents will come down and we're going to live with him. It just shows you what a young kid he is. The funny thing with him, not only the breaking records, what he did in the Champions League with scoring in three games in a row and so on, but it's also, we have to admit, I don't like this new Messi because there is only one Messi. But the funny thing is in the tight angles and how he dribbles and how he scores his goals, I mean, there are similarities, boys. You have to admit that. Musiala back in training as well Well that's the interesting pointer here I'm all across this I know you are and I always expect the best from you when it comes to our Bundesliga coverage No I got lucky I saw a clip today But it's interesting isn't it because Musiala is getting ready to come back what's going to happen does he have to fight to get his place back it's a nice problem for business company to have Yeah I mean he's got a fitness schedule to get up to which is never easy and the good news is having a big squad and having some really good youngsters and having players of this quality means you don't have to rush people and you don't have to rush players back as much.

37:21So that gives you that little bit of time. But yeah, every player should have to fight for their position. But I always think when I see a player like this, 17, I think back to me, 17, what about you? You don't want to know what I was doing when I was 17. You know, I do. I think about 17 on the youth team at Chelsea. And I look at what some of these... And I know the game's changed and how they go about it and how they prepare and, you know, the training schedules and the fitness. But still, when you see a 17-year-old, and we saw a 16-year-old in La Minha Mal come through and he's in this superstardom sort of platform now, and this young man's got a little bit to go, you know, for that consistency and that time frame of La Minha Mal, which is at least a couple of years now, including a European Championship for Spain.

38:13But to be able to do what he's doing at 17, and not just in Germany, which is, you know, it's a very good league, but when you saw what he did in the game against Arsenal, I mean, Champions League against the best team in England at the moment, away from home, and he's just not fazed. It kind of tells you what the mentality is with these kids now. A lot of them, you know, we'd have been hiding behind the kit hamper, waiting for the referee's whistle. These kids are just embracing it. They go out there, they don't care who they're on the field with. They're on the field with all these big superstars.

38:45And yet, on the face of it, it just does not seem to faze them. That's quite incredible for people of that age. Absolutely. With company, he's given him some important roles, as you've mentioned, games in the Champions League, games for Bayern, big games. But then he's using his interviews, company, to kind of just make sure he keeps his feet on the ground. Is that a good approach from the manager? It's absolutely a great approach from the manager. It's the correct approach. And I think you've got to give him a lot of credit for looking after Leonard Kyle the way he is. And I think as well, you've got to say, he's actually in a good position to be able to do that because his team without Leonard Kyle is winning comfortably anyway.

39:28That means that he can play this kid a lot more than he probably would have done, say, what, 18 months ago when they were up against Leverkusen. maybe he wouldn't have been able to take the chance in putting him on or starting him or whatever it is. So I think everything's come together nicely for the player and for the manager, that he can play him. And the more he plays, the even better he's going to get with more experience. But also the manager can look after him and pick and choose when to leave him on for longer. And meanwhile, there've been some famous free agents departing Bayern over the years, Jan.

40:02Is Deo Upamecano about to become one of them? Well, it's a bad business model to lose players on a three and they can't afford to do that. That's why when you see Leroy Sané, Alaba, Mikael Ballack back in the days, you have also Goretzka who's now playing a lot of games that can go on a three this summer. Rupa Meccano is a big hit because there's so many big teams looking for a centre-half. And it's interesting that Bayern try to put a bit of pressure on him. They're very linked and they say more or less, not only between the lines, that they would like to have Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund.

40:40Schlotterbeck is, I'm not saying he's making trouble in Dortmund, but I guess he wants to go to Bayern. So they try to have that card ready for Uppermakana. The big thing in the negotiations, the latest report is that Max Ebel is talking very intense with Uppermakana. But the big thing is the signing-on fee because Bayern feels that... Because if they're going to buy a new centre-half, they have to, let's say, give 50, 60 million euros for a centre-half. And then these players come up and say, we want 30 in signing-on fees. And Bayern don't think that is a sustainable way of doing it. Kimmich got a great signing-on fee, of course.

41:22And Upamakano knows that he will be wanted at Real Madrid, who will have a Rudiger out. Alaba out, PSG is a French player and all the English clubs that are looking for a centre-half. He's in a quite good position up at Macano. I kind of would love to be in his position, money-wise at least. I don't think your signing on fee would have been a problem, do you? I don't think so. If people are wondering what a signing on fee is... Borrow, pay the same amount. Not all the time, but generally, particularly back in the day, if you signed a three-year contract you would get either a lump sum every year or one big lump sum at the start.

42:02When I say lump sum, it pales into insignificance. This is a wheelbarrow these guys are getting. They're backing up the security car truck now and filling it up. But yeah, you've got a lump sum with your salary and of course the players now, particularly the ones that go on a free transfer or on what we call a Bosman, they have more potential for to certainly forge bigger lump sums So, as Stevie said, fill up your wheelbarrow and enjoy the money. Yeah, it's different times. How highly do you actually rate him, Jan Upamakana? Where do you put him among the top defenders in the world right now? Well, we've been discussing Upamakana for many years, haven't we?

42:39We always said that there was a mistake in him, but I think he has improved. And it's the centre-half market at the moment, and he has improved. Again, a compliment to company. I think that has been important. Don't underestimate getting a coach like Kompany, know that position, giving him confidence, being a leader now in the team. But we've been discussing in so many shows with Kim and Uppamakano who struggled to play games without mistakes. But this year he's been very good. And then it can be devil's advocate and say the way Bayern play at the moment with every team could have a good centre-half.

43:21Having said that, the last games, two two games, minds, they're conceding a lot of set pieces. So I have him up there, but I need a bit more to be 100 % convinced that this guy is world class. I have to admit that. He's another one of those guys that in the last year of his contract has been the master of consistency that he wasn't before. What are you saying? It's incredible, man. What are you saying? What are you insinuating here? This seems really weird, doesn't it? The guy was all over the shop, and then this year he settled down, and oh, wait a minute, his contract's up. Is that what Canate's doing?

44:00I'm only telling you the facts of where he is. Well, he's got different partners. Him and Kim, when he signed from Napoli, and he was, what was he, Defender of the Year in Italy? Yeah. But that as a partnership was just, for the most part, it was given to, well, then got Thomas Tuchel the sack. but it got him all over the place but I think it's Apomicano and Conati that is the preferred correct me if I'm wrong, the preferred partnership for Didier Deschamps at the moment, and not William Saliba, so Apomicano needs to not make a mistake, because the big fella at Liverpool is making a lot, so yeah I mean I wouldn't go on the gravy train if he's playing well, because his contract's up, but he's definitely making less mistakes.

44:47I've never said that, all I said was that it's just... He's making less mistakes than he was, for sure. But I think, boys and girls in the studio, that it's also about... He's a player who can't... When Van Dijk is at his best, he can run the defence. Uppermakano needs to have a team around him functioning. And this year, this season, the team is functioning big time. And then, I mean, in all due respect to centre-half, when your team is so good going forward. I mean, please sort yourself out. I mean, that can't be the hardest thing. Sorry. Hello from the striker unions. No, you're not wrong. You're not wrong.

45:27All right. Bayern will be back in action at the weekend. They're away to take on Heidenheim. All the games in the Bundesliga are available every single weekend on ESPN+. The world's biggest soccer tournament has arrived and you can trade the entire tournament on Kalshi. On Kalshi, you can trade every match from the opening stage all the way to the final. Spain is currently trading at 17 % to win it all, meaning a$100 trade pays out over$550 if they win soccer's biggest prize. On Kalshi, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position.

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47:16Here's one for you, Craig. The Intercontinental Cup final between PSG and Flamenco. Oh, I just caught the penalties. Oh, sorry, I've given it away. Oh, well, you have. How did they play this? 38th minute Qatar. 38th minute. Barrett Skellier with the opener. Goalkeeper. Nicer the goalkeeper to lay it in his path. That was a lovely little lay. Well, they're off, wasn't it? D 'Erascaeta is going to be taken down by Marquinhos in the box. No foul was initially given, but the referee would be sent to VAR and it would end up being a penalty to Flamengo. Vinny's watching that. You go down straight away, you don't take another step.

47:51He's a blast from the past, Jorginho. And he's not changed his technique, has he? And so, yes, spoiler alert, it did go to penalties and they weren't the best penalties overall that you'll ever see. this is Nico de la Cruz scoring the only penalty for Flamengo. Yeah, Vettinia scored his. And then there was a big night for Matvej Savinov, the PSG goalkeeper. Because he would stop everything that came at him after that. Dembele, you'd put it on him to score, wouldn't you? Well, he was watching Lewandowski the other week playing for Barcelona. Oh, I'll just...

48:32Goes on. Long goalie. Yeah, Pedro once again saved by Savinov. Goalie did well. The off his line. Well, I think there might be a little bit of the heel on the line. It's very minute-y. Yeah, says no. Refs agree with Craig. Nuno Mendes would put his away. Can we get to the end? Can we fast-forward this? Yeah, there's not much else. There's the end. I can't. Oh, you. Straight out. It was just a big day for the keeper. I beg you. Parcola also with his stopped. But still, PSG's penalties were less worse than Flamengo's, as you can see here. Well, it's hardly Man United Grimsby. So PSG winning the Intercontinental Cup, the first French club to win the Intercontinental Cup, the second team in history to win the sextuple in a calendar year after Barcelona in 2009.

49:34And it's three finals won in 2025 with three different keepers. I know you love stats like that, Stevie, so I thought I'd put that one there for you. What's the Trophy de Champion? The Trophy de Champion, it's one of the others. To be like a Super Cup in France, winners of the French Super Cup. I mean, yeah. And their keeper tonight, saving four of the five penalties that he pays. Do they have a charity shield type game in France? Well, you get jewels on and you can ask them all. You can stick that up, make it seven. Yeah, why not? No, eight. Quickly, though. Because the calendar year's almost...

50:05But they can't put World Club champions above the stadium, can they? No, they cannot. You can't concentrate here. There's a live Carabao Cup drawing on in the background. That is true. Chelsea have got Arsenal or Palace in the semi-final. Let's get to the Women's Champions League while we wait for the result. You keep your eye on that. You just do the highlights, K. Stevie and I will keep you in the semi-final. Okay, Women's Champions League here. Paris FC against Barcelona. Vicky Lopez dancing through the defence to score. 1-0 as well, drop the shoulder here takes two defenders away and then sticks it home 49th minute going to be Caroline Graham Hansen the shot's going to take a slight defection 2-0 dived over the top here so here's how things are looking in the Champions League stand-ins for the women's Barcelona at the top their level on points with Leon S

51:01What's the point in getting poor players on to make a draw when there's only four teams? Pretty pointless, isn't it? Anyway, Newcastle have got Man City. At least it was quicker than the FIFA draw. It was definitely quicker than our coverage of the FIFA World Cup draw, that's for sure. Stick around though, Extra Time's on the way next. Thanks for being with us tonight on ESPN FC.

51:23Welcome into the latest edition of Extra Time. Jan Agatiotov's joining Craig and Stevie to answer your questions. I've seen some cup action today, so let's get started with... How good was Craig? Which current player reminds you of the way he played? Marouane Fellaini. Now, let's not go down these lines. Leonard Carl. I was boxed to boxed. Particularly when I went to Celtic, I was boxed. I was... I wasn't, you know, we were talking about this yesterday actually. You got a few goals. Somebody was a six, somebody was an eight, somebody was a ten. Who was it who was talking about that? It was Mike.

52:02Oh, it was Mike. It was Mike. It was Mike, the producer. What's an eight? What's a six? He's a six, he's an eight, he's a ten. I always just had, when I was at Celtic, I had eight on my back. And that just meant you did everything. You had to do everything. Craig, you were eight. I mean, you were a very good player. You scored against us. You were, both of you, you were those kind of types of player that people needed in a team. Very important players. And I remember you very well. And so for people asking that question, we can joke it away. He was not a Leonard Karl, but he was a very, very good player in the team.

52:39And he scored against Norway at the World Cup. So he will always be remembered for that. Were you always the position that you ended up playing? No, and that was one of the reasons when I really found my feet when I went to Celtic. and it wasn't because the league was weaker, which it was in the Premier League, but it was a lot stronger than it is now. And people, when I talk to people, when I'm doing an interview or that, I say, one of the issues I had at Chelsea is that I got shifted, now he did it particularly well at Liverpool, but I got shifted from pillar to post quite a lot. One week I was, you know, if somebody was out and needed me to play right back, I'd play right back.

53:12If somebody was out and at centre-half, I could play there. If somebody was out in the middle, I played central midfield with my position, but quite often I play on the right side of midfield. And so I always felt I was going from sort of pillar to post. When I went to Celtic, I was... In your spot. In the spot every week. Week in, week out. And I think I missed one game in 97, 98 with a calf strain. Other than that, I was in the team. You know, Lambo, Paul Lambert was my partner. Big Martin Vicos was my partner. At times, I would play the three. But I played. Every week I played in the same position.

53:44I had continuity. and that and then and then and it's similar at Derby but we were a struggling team you know down there and I think that is a big difference for a lot of people how did you did it didn't really bother you so much at Liverpool because you've played in a few different positions well it didn't bother me because see I was opposite of Craig I knew that that I was moving around because of injuries suspensions whatever it may be but I knew that if everybody was fit I was still playing in my spot because my spot was fullback so I always knew I was going to play there that's a difference so if everybody was fit you got shunted back to your natural position as soon as everybody was fit I went back to my normal spot and so it was easy for me there was no I was just playing I wasn't under any pressure so if you think about what was going on with him he's under pressure because they're expecting him to be spot on while they're shoveling him around and he's not getting a chance to actually show what he's capable of in his own position.

54:48So it was completely opposite. I mean, to give you an example where Rude Hoolett said to me one day Rude Hoolett said to me one day, I was playing Blackburn at the weekend, I'm going to play a sweeper at Ewood Park. And I did. And I couldn't wait to get back in the middle of the park because Shearer and Sutton never give me a minute. Because they absolutely worked their socks off. And so I thought I was going to go up there light a big cigar, get on the ball and all of a sudden we had this team that was just working unbelievable, you never got a minute but that's an example of it you're having to go back, you're playing sweeper one week you're playing right mid the next week playing centre mid, I think it's quite difficult when that happens but it's an interesting discussion because in modern football of today you don't have that you're more like specified players you can have that in German football of course Philipp Lahm, he played right back could play the number six for Germany sometimes.

55:42You have the same with Joshua Kimmich. He was also a right back. Or should he play as a six in midfield? You see sometimes by Arsenal, how high is Declan Rice playing? Subimendi, when he's there, you can push him forward. So that's the main thing now. But back in the days, in the 90s, the stories of Stevie and Craig was more normal, that you had to play different positions. People like myself, I was always the number nine. But people in midfield who were good defensively worked hard with a good discipline, they could end up playing in many different positions. Well, your first team squad today, you look at Arsenal's first team squad, it is absolutely 100%, 22.

56:20They got two guys for every single position. So, when I was playing, there was one sub, and you probably had a first team squad of 15, maybe 16, and two of them were goalkeepers and then Craig was the year after me which it would then go up to maybe 18 of a squad so you know you had to be able you had to be able to be flexible and be able to do it to do a really good job depending on what type whatever team you played for you had to be able to do it no no nobody needs to do it because they've got so many players for for every position we went to play a World Cup qualifier, I think it was 97, 96, after the Euros, qualifying for France 98 in Minsk, Belarusia, Belarus, and we had a couple of injuries at the back, and Craig Brown asked me to play centre-back.

57:18We had the other centre-halves in the squad, and he said will you go back and play centre-back? And I went aye, I'll go back. Didn't really, weren't really happy to try to play the offside with everybody else. Was it stressful when you'd get told that? Did you get a little bit stressed? Think like overthink it sometimes? You've just got to be honest. No, not really. Because if I didn't think I could have done it, I'd have said no. Right. But he said, look, will you do a job for me? Send him back. I'm struggling a little bit and I'd rather put you back there. You'll be all right, sort of thing.

57:49And they're not going to ask you if they don't think you can do it either. Right. Craig, we always end up discussing Alan Johnson, our main man. And after we had that show where we talked about him for 20 minutes, I'm calling him the next day. He was on his way to Italy for the Milano game. Let's put it this way. He lived up to his reputation. But once in the national team, our national coach was trying to get Rune Bratzett. Remember him? He was a liberal for Werder Bremen, a very good player. So we played him in a sixth position, Monday training, Tuesday training. And me and Erland Jonsson. Erland Jonsson was going to play center half, play at Paterprez.

58:25We were playing France away, looking forward to the game. And then we were having the sleep before the game. and after lunch or the pre-match meal and somebody knocked at the door and I was the national coach and he said, hmm, Bruno Bratzer told me he doesn't want to play at the number six so he's going back in your position, thank you very much, you're on the bench. So it's not always these kind of things that goes up like Craig Brown did for you or you did for Craig Brown. Has Erland forgiven me for all the stories? He was laughing a lot. I got some reports during the night and let's put it that way, we can do another show.

59:03Yeah, probably at a later time, no doubt. OK, Stevie, if you could sign any one of these three midfielders to strengthen Liverpool's midfield, who would be at the top of your list? Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba or Elliot Anderson? Oh, and they're all decent players, aren't they? I'd probably go with Wharton. I'd probably go with Wharton.

59:29because he's a great football player. He can pass the ball with either foot. And he actually defends. You know, you look at, I think I believe that, and I think about a really strong guy who's going to go and challenge and go and win balls and be like an enforcer. And then I'm thinking, well, I don't want him. He isn't going to go and smash people, but he's still going to do the same job. He's still going to get the ball back because he's using his brains. So I'd rather have an intelligent footballer over a guy who doesn't rely but seems more physical in terms of football. So I would go with Adam Warton and then I'd go Elliot Anderson and then I would go Boliba.

1:00:17It's weird because good left footed players were always in demand. But it's weird now because the modern game we don't really talk about a midfield, for example, having a left-footed and a right-footed and a bit of balance because it just seems everybody does. You know, right-footers, you know, left-footers sometimes play in the right wing because they like coming inside and vice versa. Whereas back in the day, your left-footed player gave you that balance on the left-hand side or the left-sided midfield. Wharton's one of those players, you know. But we don't really, you know, if you talked about a Liverpool three, which was really successful, Sabozlay, McAllister, and Gravenberg last year, not once did we talk about what was a strong foot.

1:01:02But back in, you know, it seems... Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know, am I? No, they used to be upset. Years ago, your left-sided midfield player would have been a left foot. People were obsessed with trying to find England left-footed players, I remember. Yeah, but I think it's more that... I think back in the days, we had more defined roles, Craig. I think that's why we needed that left foot because that's what we played. No, they're so flexible, you know. Now they can play on every side and they come inside, they play with a dime and all that kind. But yeah, as you were saying back in the days, we need that left footer.

1:01:33We need it. Where is he? Yeah, OK. For Stevie and Craig, Celtic lose again. Should Nancy be sacked? By the way, just before we were coming on air at 5pm, I knew they were playing today and I thought, well, now, come on. You know, it's done the United away. I mean, I've no idea how Dundee United are these days, to be honest with you. But I thought, it can't be four in a row. They're not going to lose four in a row. Because they were... They were eighth on the table. Yeah, there you go. I mean, I don't know what's going to happen, but what I can tell you is, reading between the lines with a lot of the journalists in Scotland that I know, the terminology they are using at the moment is out of depth.

1:02:18Yeah, but he lost the dressing room when he arrived the first day. I mean, I speak to some people up in Scotland. It's unbelievable. You see his comment after the cup finally, you probably have it on the show, when he said, we started the game well, but then we got a goal after one minute. I mean, you can say a lot about footballers. We can be stupid, or we can be this, and we can do that. But we know a coach who is coming into the dressing room if he is the right deal, or is he a wannabe. And I don't know this coach. You Americans know him much, much better than me probably. But I mean, how can you, and I'm not just taking the coach of Celtic, how can the management there, before a cup final, take out Martin O 'Neill, just steady the ship, and then you go a chance afterwards?

1:03:02I can't believe that a proud club like Celtic is doing what I've done. Well, it's interesting because Martin O 'Neill, who came in as an interim manager for the second time after, you know, Martin O 'Neill was hugely successful at Celtic. first time round. Built a great squad, had great success, blah, blah, blah. Came back as interim, won seven out of eight, steadied the ship. Apparently, he was on radio saying, look, he talked to Wilfred Nancy briefly in the handover, but the new manager did not pick Matlin Neal's brains about the squad. Exactly. He did not sit down with them and say, give me 10, 15 minutes on each player, so that he knew exactly what he was dealing with.

1:03:44from not just looking at a video, but saying, what's his strength? What's his attitude like? Is he fast? Is he complete? And I don't think Matt and I always try to throw him under the bus. He just said it was, I just had a brief conversation with him. And so he didn't, it seems to me that his understanding of what he's got isn't up to speed. And on top of that, I've seen somebody say, well, this is down to the board because the squad are not good enough. They have the, whether it's true or not, that this Celtic squad should be better. It is still the best squad in Scotland. Yeah, of course it is.

1:04:15You don't think he should have picked his brains? No, no, no. Not telling him what to do. Just asking him about players. That would have been a sensible thing to do. But the problem is, in terms of the board, the board's setting Ansi up to fail. That's what they've done. You know, probably the most important week in reaching the history of the club, they're playing Hearts, who are top of the league. they're playing Roma and then they're playing a cup final and you've had you've had Martin O 'Neill who's absolutely calmed everything down yes anybody who knows anything about football would know that a new manager walking into any team it's going to cause a little bit of turmoil until they figure out who wants what but yet this guy's just been thrown in thrown with the wolves and said right you're going to have to beat Harps who are top of the league who are flying and then you've got one of the toughest games you've had in how many years in Roma and then you've got a cup final and then all of a sudden all of a sudden they look disjointed I mean of course they're disjointed because the manager's coming in asking asking the players to do something that Martin O 'Neill didn't ask them to do Peter Law I don't know if you saw this I don't know if you saw this today Peter Law the long time chief executive of that football has resigned not because of Wilfred Nancy because of the abuse the abuse he's been getting the threats I'm not saying Peter Law is great at his job at all.

1:05:45I have no idea. He wasn't there when I was at Celtic. But what I can tell you is that he has felt that it's gone beyond the pale. It's gone too far. And I know how it works there, the pressure. And they're also saying, you know, the fans are turning and not just Peter Law, but the whole board saying, you have not done your homework properly here. This guy's a bit of a romantic when it comes to how we play the game and that's not what we need. But what I can tell you from experience it's about an hour and a half maybe just under two hours to get back from Dundee to Glasgow and when that bus pulls into Celtic Park and it's probably already done that now because it's about 11 o 'clock in the UK as we do this PM I can tell you when they pull into Celtic Park up to the car park there will be a lot of fans there a lot and they'll be waiting for every one of them to get off the boss, including the manager, and it will not be pretty.

1:06:44They have that to look forward to, trust me. Craig, you know it from inside there, what a club that is. Fantastic passion, and sometimes because it's Scottish League, when you were there, Celtic Rangers, fantastic club, great, great atmosphere, and the most passionate fans in the world. But when you see a club, as we were alluding to Stevie, this is typical people who don't have a clue about management because they're playing hearts, they're playing Roma, and they're playing the cup final. They think, wow, this is a great start for the new manager. We get him in now. He get a win against hearts.

1:07:18Okay, we're okay. And then you get a title after one week. What a wise sporting manager I am. Let's put him in there. And then it backfired big time. I mean, this is so typical. And the new coach just fits to his... I don't know him. So that's why it's easier to criticise him. But I just see the type. When you have Martin O 'Neill there, who has been there before, is one of the wisest managers British football, Northern Ireland, whatever, has invented and you don't pick his brain, then you are one of those coaches who think you invented football. I'm sorry, football has been invented long before you arrived in Glasgow.

1:07:58I know we have to move on, but I can tell you it is one of the great theatres to play. The game tonight wasn't at Celtic Park, it was at Tanadice. I can't tell you, it's one of the great theatres to play. I mean, I played old firm games that I played against Liverpool in the UEFA Cup when Marker scored a late equaliser 2-2, run half the way up the field. It's an incredible atmosphere. It's a great, whether you're a Celtic fan or not, it's a great place to go and play. It's a place you don't... You've got to play there every week, but as somebody who plays in other clubs, it's a place you don't forget that you've played at in terms of what the stadium and the atmosphere is like the new stadium is just incredible it's one of the best places to play football in Europe I'm not saying it's the best but it's incredible however, when things are not going well it goes the other way trust me, I've seen it, I've seen a lot of players just buckle when I went there Rangers had won nine titles in a row they had Gascoigne and Loudrop and you name it, they had it.

1:09:03And every week they reminded us that we had to beat them. And if we even dropped a... If we even drew a game at home, they were going to kill us. So you can imagine what this guy is going through. But the answer to the question is, and not to go on, I don't know what the outcome will be, but four straight defeats and obeying Celtic support is going to be tough for the board not to do something. I think they will fire him. There's no chance that a club like this with that greatness of Celtic can have a manager who doesn't understand a thing about how they're doing. And the head of sports, what's his name, Craig?

1:09:40Is it Paul Tisdale or whatever? The sporting director? I'm not sure what his name is. But the sports director there, he has invested in this manager and maybe that will give him an extra couple of games. But if you get a crowd against you, Craig, you know that so very well. I mean, no chance. One of the guys, I was telling Stevie, one of the guys I follow on social media, Ewan Murray, he's a big golf writer for the Guardian, but he's a Hearts fan. And he just tweeted, no need for Celtic to make a hasty decision. Because the poorer Celtic are the more Hearts because they're winning the league at the moment.

1:10:14But yeah, yeah, I don't know. Listen, I've been there when we've lost two games in a row. And not four. Oh, my God. Yeah. Better places to be right now. Yeah, in Meadowsburg. Definitely, where you can win for in a row. Jan, do you think Kompany can find a way for both Musiala and Lennart Karl to start together in Bayern's playing XI, especially in the big Champions League games? I think he will find a way or could find a way. I'm not sure that he will do it. That depends on a lot. How good is Musiala when he comes back? He needs his balance, he needs his rhythm, he needs his self-confidence. even though he is one of the best players around at top five, when he's in top four.

1:11:00But we discussed this on the show. I think it's an advantage for both Leonard Karl and Muziala that there are two of them because that put a bit... Leonard Karl is 17. He can't carry this team to the Champions League final. He can be a major part, but he's not going to have that responsibility. Same with Muziala. He doesn't have to play 90 minutes, 90 minutes. Now, when he comes back, they can steady get him into the game, give him 30 minutes, give him a half, play a home game against whoever. And then he can kind of get him into the game. So I think it's both a advantage for Lennart Karl and Musiala.

1:11:35I think that company has been so clever at Bayern that he could find a system. But I think I will think that the first six months now will be rarely that they both will play at the same time. Remember, you have some Olysser, you have Gnabry, you have Kane, You have a lot of good players that need to be fitted in there. When Jan was talking there, I was having a think. I don't like the new me. Well, to be honest with you, I didn't like the old me. But I don't like the new me. What's the new me? What's the new me? What's the new me? What's the new you? Talking about Bayern. No, no. When did you change?

1:12:13Trying to answer questions on extra time normally. Now, I've always liked rubbishing the question and moving on. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. It was so serious today. Jan, what's going on? I mean, has somebody spiked my tea? New Jan, you me. Normally at this point I've said, what a crap question. Don't even send it in again. We're sitting here giving, you know, four different answers to one tweet. We're not going to go all the way to the end because we have had a very long extra time. This won't last. Can't last. Do the last one, producer. What is it? Yeah, it's an easy one. Stephen with a V As a Liverpool fan who would you prefer to win the league Arsenal or City Oh I've got the answer Easy That is easy and do you know the answer because I know the answer Answer it for me

1:13:04Who do you think he wants to win the league if it's not Liverpool It's easy You're asking me or who are you asking the producer I'm asking you I'm asking you how Stevie's choice would be I know who it is Arsenal Wrong Wrong. Why is he wrong? Because I'm not a fan of Arsenal, that's why.

1:13:28He'd much rather say... Are you a fan of Manchester City? More than Arsenal. Right. Why? Man United or Arsenal? That's easy, isn't it? Is it? Is that easy? Oh, yeah, Arsenal. So there's levels of hatred? Oh, there's levels. There's levels, yeah. Oh no, I'd rather Arsenal one than Man United, yeah. But that wasn't the question I have to say You in tomorrow? I'm back in tomorrow And I'll be back to my old self An extra time You'll be back to your old self tomorrow Because you'll have Very good extra time We were analytic today It was a nice extra time Do you see when we wanted To be a little analytical We can be I tried to throw in Ellen Johnson That didn't take a stick either Did it?

1:14:10No No To be honest I think it depends how the show's gone I think it depends how the show's gone if the end of the show has gone downhill quicker than like Franz Klammer and a set of skis then the chances are I'm going to boil over on extra time well there's only like three highlights today so I think he was alright I think that's what's done it well done producer Pete just a few highlights yeah well it was like yesterday how many's going to know who Franz Klammer is? I just wanted to say for those of you who don't know Franz Klammer downhill Olympic gold 1976 that's how I threw in the skis Who under 50 years of age is going to know?

1:14:50I'm sorry for bringing it up. And the Scottish football fans. Thank you so much for sending in your questions today. Tomorrow we'll get Wilfred Nancy on the show. Dan Thomas is back. He will do well in the first minute. Make sure you are too. ESPN FC on ESPN Plus available every single day.

1:15:12Luster Olney here for La Quinta by Wyndham. Summer means travel, and for a lot of people, that includes their four-legged MVP. Mine is a yellow lad named Quinny. But finding a hotel that actually welcomes pets can feel like striking out. At La Quinta by Wyndham, pet-friendly stays are part of the game plan, so you don't have to leave your best travel companion behind. You can bring them along for every inning of the trip because the road is better when the whole team's together. And when you book at LaQuinta.com, you can earn Wyndham Rewards points on your qualified stays along the way. Tonight, LaQuinta.

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