In short
ESPN FC episode centers on PSG winning the UEFA Super Cup vs Aston Villa. Topic: match recap and what it signals for PSG’s season, plus transfer talk and a debate about top managers. Guests/hosts: Kay Murray, Alejandro Moreno, Stevie Nichol, and Don Hutchison (studio panel).
Key claims
PSG looked “routine” and even “pre-season” despite Villa’s competitiveness; PSG’s youngsters for Villa stood out (Hemmings), but Kravatskelia was best overall for PSG. Goals: Kravatskelia scored at 20’; Brian Maggio (17) equalized after missed chances; Desiree Dwayne’s second-half goal initially had an offside flag but VAR upheld it. PSG won their second Super Cup and became the 12th club with multiple titles.
Notable examples
comparisons to Real Madrid/Milan multiple winners; contenders for Europe include Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, and English clubs. Transfer talk: Spurs selling Christian Romero (€40m) to Atletico and Jed Spence (€31.5m) to Inter; Barcelona’s pursuit of Julián Álvarez and possible plan B if blocked.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOPSG vs Aston Villa Overview
0:45 to 2:15
A recap of the UEFA Super Cup match where PSG defeated Aston Villa.
“who scored the opener a stunner as well in the 20th minute.”
Player Performances Analysis
2:15 to 3:42
Discussion on standout performances from the game and PSG's overall class.
“PSG, we're going to see a lot more of what we saw in Europe last year from them this year?”
PSG's Champions League Prospects
3:42 to 6:05
An analysis of PSG's potential in this season's Champions League and their competition.
“Yeah, we know that they are the team to beat in Europe.”
Transfer News: Spurs Players Leaving
6:05 to 11:09
Discussion about Christian Romero and Jed Spence's transfers from Tottenham Hotspur.
“We're going to focus now on Tottenham Hotspur, Stevie.”
Julian Alvarez Transfer Update
11:59 to 14:00
Update on the transfer situation regarding Julian Alvarez and Barcelona's plans.
“Okay, let's move on to talk about Julian Alvarez.”
Barcelona's Striker Dilemma
14:00 to 18:42
Discussing Barcelona's need for a backup striker if Julian Alvarez doesn't join.
“So, of course, there needs to be a plan B.”
Ferran Torres' Future
18:42 to 22:39
The challenges Barcelona faces in retaining Ferran Torres amidst PSG interest.
“The player wants to go, you've got to let them go.”
Reflections on Julian Alvarez's Decision
22:39 to 23:34
Analyzing the implications of Julian Alvarez's move to Atletico Madrid.
“I just don't see where this goes forward for Julian Alvarez, nor for Barcelona, for that matter.”
Debating Top Coaches
28:00 to 33:40
A heated discussion about the ranking and criteria for the best football managers.
“But I think on the criteria with player management and recruitment, well, no, because the criteria is the criteria.”
Debating Top Coaches
33:42 to 34:05
A heated discussion about the ranking and criteria for the best football managers.
“So you were scrolling on Marketplace, and there it was, the bike you'd been searching for.”
Show all 16 chapters
Managerial Rankings and Performances
34:41 to 42:04
Analyzing the performance of various football players and comparisons of managers.
“Right, no, just going back to that list.”
Phil Foden vs. Isak Debate
42:04 to 43:14
A heated discussion about the performances of Phil Foden and Isak in the previous season.
“Foden, I'm sticking with Foden because I think he's brilliant.”
Liverpool's Wing Situation
43:14 to 44:38
Analysis of Liverpool's winger options and potential strategies for the team.
“It's a bit like Real Madrid as well, isn't it?”
PSG's Transfer Speculations
44:38 to 45:18
Discussion on PSG's recent signings and the implications for their future.
“That's when Arsenal might come into the equation.”
The Pineapple on Pizza Debate
45:18 to 46:34
A light-hearted debate on whether pineapple belongs on pizza, with humorous exchanges.
“If pineapples shouldn't be on pizza, is it okay to have it in your hamburger?”
More on Cheese Preferences
46:34 to 48:21
Discussion on cheese preferences, particularly hot vs. cold cheese, leading to amusing banter.
“A gammon steak has a pineapple, doesn't it?”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Gab Marcotti:You know when you're locked in, focused and fearless. Welcome to the WNBA. Your vision narrows. You can't look away. Every assist, every stop, every logo three. From beyond the logo. Every did you see that moment. You bet. What records are going to be broken this season? All of it right here. Lock in. It's the WNBA on ESPN. All season long.
0:34Dan Thomas:Hello and welcome into the latest edition of ESPN FC. Kay Murray, Alejandro Moreno and Stevie Nichol here in the studio kicking things off with the UEFA Super Cup today. PSG taking on Aston Villa and beating Aston Villa was Kavice Kavaratskelia who scored the opener a stunner as well in the 20th minute. However, Brian Maggio, the 17-year-old, would level things out after missing a few chances before this, but finally getting his goal to make it 1-1. And then in the second half, Desiree Dwayne would score a goal at Woodstand initially. The flag went up, but after a VAR check, it would stand and PSG get the win.
1:13Dan Thomas:And the second of their UEFA Super Cup titles. They're the 12th club to win multiple UEFA Super Cup titles on the list there with the likes of Real Madrid and Milan. Dan, welcome in Don Hutchison now to talk more about what we saw today. Don, what did you make of that game? I thought it was a good game. I thought the youngsters for Villa were outstanding. I thought Hemmings was really, really good. Madjo looks like a real promising player at 17. He's got something about him. He's physical. As you said, he put himself in some really good positions. Scored a really hard goal, as Ali said. But, you know, you look at this PSG side and they've just got class.
1:53They're not even at full speed. it's probably a pre-season game for them. I thought Kravatskelia on and off the ball was the best player on the pitch and then when you start bringing the likes of Dembele off the bench and you start making changes and the squad just never seems to get weakened when the coach makes changes, I thought it was a pretty routine performance from PSG even though Villa had probably a good 15-minute spell just before half-time.
2:18Dan Thomas:PSG, we're going to see a lot more of what we saw in Europe last year from them this year? Do you think, Kelly, there's signs there? Yeah, and I guess the question that we could ask of PSG is can they get off to a better start than what they have in years past? And I think it's something that Luis Enrique has stressed in his press conference, is talking about how do you motivate a team that has achieved so much, and yet you need to get their interest up, and then you need to get their intensity and urgency up in the start of the season. And I must say, I agree with Don in the sense that it felt like a preseason match for PSG while it didn't for Aston Villa.
2:57It felt like for Aston Villa it was a competitive match, whereas for PSG it's like, well, I guess we sort of have to be here. So if we're going to be here, then we might as well win this. When they sped up the possession or they sped up the game or they decided to go on the attack with numbers, So they decided that now they're about to create. It seemed like they were at a different level than Aston Villa. But for the most part, it felt like they were just comfortable with the possession of the ball. They were comfortable with, you know what, let's just take the game into the attacking half. Let's not allow Aston Villa to build any sort of momentum.
3:29Aston Villa did have chances. Hemmings should have scored right after Desiree do it, scored the second goal. There was a chance for Hemmings in which he hits it straight at Safanov. But for PSG, it just feels like there is so much more that they can give. And still, they're good enough to win.
3:43Dan Thomas:Yeah, we know that they are the team to beat in Europe. That's what we've seen over the last two seasons. When it comes to if you're on to Champions League and you go to win a third straight, this is the list of three peats so far. Real Madrid in it, of course, the last team to do it. But the rest of the teams who've been able to and who haven't been able to, can PSG join the yeses on that list this season, Stevie?
4:11Gab Marcotti:Please tell me who is going to knock them off the perch At the end of the day we saw again today what this team's capable of whenever they want to change gear which is what they did, yes if you have Villa you can talk about the chances you had and the chances you missed and blah blah blah, but the truth is at times when they wanted to as Ali said, PSG are on a different planet They really are. The way they play, the way they pass the ball, the movement, the individual skills that they have with different players. I mean, they just have a little bit of everything. If you want to be critical, yes, they give a lot of chances away.
4:52Gab Marcotti:But you know what? At the end of the day, whenever they're in the mood and whenever they're ready to, they just create and score goals for fun. So, again, to answer your question, please tell me who's going to knock them off their perch because I don't see anybody knocking them off their perch.
5:06Dan Thomas:Yeah, same question for you, Don. well there's a few contenders I mean Arsenal took them to penalties last year I think Real Madrid will be stronger this year I think Barca have been in and around it for the last couple of seasons I agree with the lads though I think if you micro-analyse it and you look at the teams that are getting closer Bayern seem to be back I think the best version of PSG beats them all but the Champions League is a competition where I've seen Real Madrid win it so many years on the spin but a couple of those years they were gone in about the quarterfinals but they had a moment to get them through the Man City game comes to mind I think Chelsea had them beaten in the same same competition same year I think PSG had them beaten but you know they found a way Real Madrid that year just to find moments in the game later on to win it so I think the teams are getting closer I think there's some serious contenders the two Spanish sides and one or two English sides but if they're all playing to their maximum I think PSG are still the best side.
6:04Dan Thomas:OK, let's talk a little bit about some of the transfer talk that we've seen today. We're going to focus now on Tottenham Hotspur, Stevie. Christian Romero set to join Atletico on a €40m transfer fee. And Jed Spence on his way to Inter, €31.5m for his transfer fee. What are you making of this? I suppose we are seeing Roberto De Zerbe restructuring his squad now.
6:27Gab Marcotti:I look at those and I think that's not hurting them. That's the first thing that comes to my head. Either of those two players not starting for Spurs doesn't affect the outcome for Spurs this season. That's exactly how I feel about it. And they've spent a lot of money and clearly they're looking to try and get some back. And Christian Merrill's time I think was up at Spurs regardless of who the manager was or whatever. So that's a good£40 million for him. And£31.5 million for Jed Spence I think is a good return on what they paid for him as well. So I have no problem with this from a Spurs point of view.
7:04Gab Marcotti:I don't think either of these players go and hurts them in any way, shape or form. I know we're shaping this conversation from a perspective of Spurs, but if there was ever, and I mean ever, ever, ever a Diego Simeone player, it's Cristian Romero. Yeah. He just fits the whole profile of what a Diego Simeone player should be and a Diego Simeone team should be. Cristian Romero, love him, hate him, whatever you may think about him, you have a strong opinion on Christian Romero. But what you cannot deny is that you watch him play for Argentina in the World Cup and you go, man, there is something about this player.
7:41Now, I imagine that Diego Simone can get that from him consistently at Atletico Madrid without the craziness, without the madness, without the moments in which everything just kind of gets blurry for him and he just decides to go with an incredible, crazy, irresponsible challenge or irresponsible behavior. If Diego Simone can temper that, which I think he could, maybe, potentially, then it all makes sense for Atletico Madrid to get a player like Cristian Romero, to get some more of that nastiness that I think this team has lost defensively. A little bit leopard and spots. Okay. Alright. Whatever that means.
8:17Gab Marcotti:A leopard never changes his spots. I know.
8:20Dan Thomas:Let's stick with the Spurs side of this. if we can with you, Don. Christian Romero and Jed Spence leaving here. That's obviously big amounts for players who've gone to good teams here in Athleti and Inter. Do you think, like Stevie, that they won't be missed at Spurs? In the start of 11, they won't be missed. I mean, Romero misses a lot of games because he's either suspended or injured. He's not a miss whatsoever. I think sometimes he's a liability. And I laughed when Ali talked about, you know, let it go Madrid signing. He's perfect. He's like Jimenez or he's like Godin back in the day where there were just nasty defenders.
8:55I guarantee, and anyone who's watched the Atleti side or Romero play, he will have red cards written all over him because that's how he plays. He's emotional. He's always on the edge. I think Jed Spencer's an interesting one. He's probably not going to get the game time unless he played at left back because Pedro Porro's the right back, so he's not going to get it at right back. I think it makes sense for Inter to buy him. They lost Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid. So it feels like that's a plug-in player that you just drop from Spurs. Jed Spence straight into the Inter Milan team. And you think, yeah, that feels like a good fit.
9:25So I think both players moving on will be happy with their moves. And I think as Stevie said, you know, Spurs have spent an awful lot of money, time now to recoup some of that. And don't forget that Denzel Donfries has gone to Real Madrid from Inter. So which then opens a natural position for Jed Spence. Am I wrong in thinking that Jed Spence was actually one of the players that when I watched England in this World Cup, he stood out. I don't know that Spurs are in a position to just let a young guy like this walk out the door. That's all I'm saying. I thought I saw some signs from Jed Spence in the World Cup that showed me some personality and showed me a little bit of life and a little bit of something that was different from everybody else.
10:06I don't know that if I'm Spurs, I'm in a position to just let this guy walk out the door.
10:10Gab Marcotti:You know, the thing with Jed Spence is, and particularly with England, England was all about energy and power and strength. And so he did stand out because he's full of energy and strength and runs. And he'll run all day for you. Just wind him up and let him go. But when it comes down to quality, final pass, creating, anything like that, for me, it's not there. And I think it's reflected. Let's be honest. All the transfers this summer that we've been talking about about how crazy the money is, But yet he's going for 31 million. It seems not a lot. But I think that reflects his ability on the ball as opposed to his energy.
10:53Dan Thomas:Yeah, I wonder what Stevie was going to say there, whether he had indigestion or he just disagreed with what you were talking about. But now I have my answer, don't I? Stay up to date with all the transfers over on our website. Here's some notable ones for you today. Pep Chabarija joining Chelsea from Rayo. Romelu Lukaku, can we have a... Lukaku? Oh, the OG. The OG came back. From Napoli. Dusan Blavich joining Besiktas from Juventus. And Chevy Hernandez signing as the Netherlands head coach through 2030.
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11:59Dan Thomas:Okay, let's move on to talk about Julian Alvarez. Lots of talk about his face-to-face meeting with Diego Simeone. Atletico seemingly digging their heels in. They do not want him to go to Barcelona. He is high on the wish list. Let's talk to Gemma Soler, who has a little bit more news about everything here. Gemma, great to see you. Are Barcelona actually optimistic that they can get this done before the transfer window closes? Because we do see and hear that Atleti are in no hurry to let this player go. Well, Kay, they are still confident. They think this game is not over yet. I don't think they can say optimistic because actually this poker game started six months ago in March and what they still have is a poker face from Atletico.
12:48But they think after this face-to-face encounter that happened earlier today, there was a 10-minute cordial chat between Pablo Simeone and Juliano Alvarez. They think that this is not over yet, that the player can still do things. He asked Diego Pablo Simeone, as he previously done to Atletico Madrid, his departure, that he wants to go to FC Barcelona and they think that there are things that the player can decide to be able to achieve that. Actually, earlier today in that training at the Atletico Madrid training ground, there was also Fernando Hidalgo and Sergio Diaz, the managers of the agents of Julian Alvarez, So they still think there's something to be done.
13:33But of course, it's not the position that Barcelona wanted because they have been working so hard to get this transfer.
13:39Dan Thomas:If they don't get him, Gemma, what's the plan B? This is a very good question because if this is not happening and Ferran today with a special permit didn't go to training and he's finishing his signing with PSG, this means that it's 40 goals Barcelona are missing between Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. So, of course, there needs to be a plan B. The thing is that it is impossible to get a name that has credibility from Barcelona. They only say that Julian Alvarez is the only plan. They also praise a lot Hamza Adelkarim, this Egyptian young forward that he has been doing great. It's a pure striker, a pure number nine, and Hansi Flick speaks really good about him.
14:25but something changed in Barcelona this last year. They made a lot of changes in the board of members. They have access to signings, also to the press officers and everything and the signings are not getting linked at all. We found out about Anthony Gordon the same day it has happened. Adeyemi was the same. Actually, about Araujo's departure was the same. So we all think that there is a plan B being worked by Deco and by President Laporta. Some names that are on the table, Ollar Zabal, this looks very difficult, the Real Sociedad strikers. Some names, there's always the players linked to Jorge Mendes for the good relations.
15:06So you can think about Rafael Leao, Oshimane and some others. Some pipe dreams that have been in the table for Barcelona are, of course, Lautaro Martinez and Harry Kane. But this, of course, looks extraordinarily difficult for Barca.
15:21Dan Thomas:How would Ale, Barca-Ferr, without Julian Alvarez coming in, if Ferran Torres is going, how are they going to look then? Could they manage without those players? They could manage, but what does managing mean? They're going to win a bunch of games still, but you have to have a presence, an attacking presence down the middle. And what you have is a bunch of guys that are tweeners. guys that you can put in that position but they're not really strikers down the middle so that's carima de llemi that is danny olmo anthony gordon guys that you can put there and just kind of cover a hole here and there but they are far more effective going elsewhere on the field uh i i it would be negligent from barcelona negligent if they don't have a second option already in mind and already talked about and discussed if the Julián Álvarez thing falls through.
16:20If it's not going to happen, you have to have a plan ready to go. If you don't have a plan ready to go, if Julián Álvarez doesn't work out, then you're not doing your job if you're Barcelona. And Deco and everybody else that's part of his office, you're not doing your job. It is clear from the perspective of Atlético Madrid that they think they have all the cards. And why do they think they have all the cards? because Barcelona have played their cards. With Ferran Torres walking out the door, potentially, and then you have Robert Lewandowski already gone, Atletico Madrid knows that you're in need, that you're desperate.
16:55And if you're desperate, you start reaching. And so we're just going to sit right here and see what you do next. We don't want this player to leave, so make us want this player to leave. And so then it's a responsibility of Barcelona to come up with an offer that Atletico Madrid simply cannot refuse.
17:11Gab Marcotti:It kind of feels as if they don't get Julian Alvarez. And I know they're saying Gordon or saying Adiemi, but if they don't get Julian Alvarez, it seems as though they've gone backwards. That's how I feel about it. You know, you look what's going on at Real Madrid with Mourinho coming in, Vinny signing, Diamandis signing. It almost feels as though Barcelona are kind of going the wrong way if they don't get Alvarez, which I don't think they will.
17:38Dan Thomas:So wouldn't it make more sense then, Gemma, just to be sure and to omit any uncertainty to try and keep hold of Ferran Torres? Yeah, but the thing is that it's very difficult for Barcelona when a player wants to go and PSG is around the corner to keep that player because Ferran Torres had only one year contract left. And they think they thought it was not wise to keep a player. This happened before with Ousmane Dembele. He wanted to leave, Barcelona retained him, and then he left for free. So there needed to be negotiations with the extension of Ferran's contract. They thought it would be extremely difficult.
18:20There is also the signing of Rodri involved, because there is a clause in the Ferran Torres contract that they need to pay Man City. So eventually they decided that if a player wants to go with only one year contract left, it's more wise to let him go and try to find a pure number nine.
18:38Dan Thomas:Anything to say on that, Ale? On the Rodri signing, on Ferran Torres. On Ferran Torres. Like, there's no... The player wants to go, you've got to let them go. Even with this as the... Yeah, well, I mean, I suppose so. But I don't think as a club you can afford to get yourself into a corner. And this is what Barcelona have done here. in that, as I mentioned before, they've already made it clear that, all right, well, you know, Ferran wants to go. There's nothing we can do about it. There's only one more year left in the contract. Let's make the most money that we can out of the player. Okay, fine.
19:13That's the decision that you've made. So be it. But make that decision knowing full well that the guy that you're bringing in is actually coming in. Not, like, if we're asking ourselves what's more likely to happen, and I guess I'll ask Gemma that. What's more likely to happen? I don't want to do your job here, okay? No, it's great. Go ahead, Ella. It's a question for Gemma that what's more likely to happen, for Julian Alvarez to be playing for Atlético Madrid or to be playing for Barcelona this season? So, of course, it's easier to think that he will stay at Atlético Madrid, but there are still some chances he can still go on a rebellion and some stuff happens.
19:51When you ask Barcelona, they think this poker game is still not over. I think if we talk about percentage, there is more that he stays in Atlético, go, but I've seen Barcelona do impossible, impossible things, so we will see.
20:05Dan Thomas:Stevie, when Gemma was talking at the top of the show, something made you chuckle. Can you remember what it was?
20:11Gab Marcotti:I was thinking about Julian Alvarez. It goes back to me. He made the wrong decision going to Atletico Madrid in the first place. It all stems from that. You know, a guy who could have started for nearly every team on the planet but he chose to go to a team who everybody knows start the season in third spot and are expected to be third and who are not going to win the Champions League and he chose to go there and now he's throwing his dummy out the pram because he doesn't get the move he wants when he's never going to get how are Atletico Madrid supposed to let one of their best players, their goal scorer the guy he spent what 75 million on and let him go to either Real Madrid or Barcelona how are they supposed to be how can they look their fans in the face and say they've just handed Julian Alvarez to our two biggest rivals for the one tournament that we have a real maybe an opportunity to win because he ain't winning the Champions League so Julian Alvarez right now is paying for the mistake he made in the first place leaving Man City to go to Atletico Madrid
Read the full transcript
21:23Dan Thomas:and now Gemma's smiling at what you're saying why are you smiling Gemma? No, no, no. I was thinking that probably when Julian decided to leave Man City to Atletico de Madrid, there were some promises made, not of course about titles, but the way of playing, the way he would feel, the environment of the team. And I guess the way this team plays, he thinks is not the best fit for him. I agree that maybe it was not the wisest decision to leave a team like Man City, the way of playing to go to Atletico. So it's been two seasons. Promises have not been accomplished in the way this team plays and how uncomfortable he feels there.
22:05And he asks for a departure. I wonder if this goes back to the... Remember when Julian Alvarez got taken out of the field and it's like, Siempre a mí. Siempre a mí. It's always me. Siempre a mí. I wonder if any of that just lingers. And he's like, I've had enough of this. But the problem is you put pen to paper. You sign a contract. And just like the teams are responsible for a contract, you are also responsible to deliver on the contract. And so unless he just pitches a fit and Diego Simone has enough of it, I just don't see where this goes forward for Julian Alvarez, nor for Barcelona, for that matter.
22:44Dan Thomas:Yeah, he could do a big documentary called The Decision. Oh, yeah, we would advise him against that. Gemma, thank you so much for being with us. We look forward to seeing a lot more with you throughout the new season in La Liga. And that new season is just around the corner. Round two games here, just to confuse you a little bit, but it's mandatory rest for World Cup players. So we will see Espanol against Real Madrid and Elche against Barcelona. Coverage of both matches beginning at 3pm Eastern. Ali Moreno on his way over to Spain to bring it for us. And this is our round one game. Muchas gracias.
23:21In La Liga. Saludos a todos.
23:22Dan Thomas:to enjoy Saturday. It all gets underway. And don't worry, it will all be back to normal by around three. OK.
23:34Dan Thomas:OK, top 10 men's club managers in Europe. According to ESPN.com, it was our tour, Christian Carlson, who put together the best managers in the men's game. He spoke to people within the game, CEOs, sporting directors, chief scouts, and coaches for some added input. We're bringing you the top 10 of his list right now. You can check out that article to see all 30 over on the website. Ali Moreno has got a bit of a... Before I get to the list, and I don't pretend to do people's job here in the production department, but I do believe that we could have presented that list a little bit better. From one to 10, rather than from 10 to one.
24:17Because number one is Luis Enrique lost over here somewhere, bottom right. Again, I don't want to do people's jobs. I'm just merely suggesting that it could have been better. That's all. It also could have been better, this list. Because I'm not even going to focus on the top 10. I got to number 18, and you lost me already. They have an 18, Diego Simeone. Now, say what you will about Diego Simeone. A lot of people hate the way that Atletico Madrid plays. And when I say a lot of people, Steve Nichol. is one of those people. Because a leopard doesn't change its... Yes, right? But what you cannot deny is that Atletico Madrid, let's just go back to last season.
25:01Champions League semifinal. And again, whatever you may think of the playing style, look at what Diego Simeone has done at Atletico Madrid and how he has changed who they are. He made Atletico Madrid a team that was relevant and continues to be relevant across Europe. That was not the case when he took over. Historically, he is the best manager they've ever had. And again, we go back to last season, semifinals of Champions League. You cannot tell me that there are 17 club managers that are better than Diego Simeone. As much as I don't like the way that they play at times, as much as I criticize some of the approach, there are not 17 managers, club managers, better than Diego Simeone in Europe.
25:46I'm not buying it.
25:47Dan Thomas:I'm very curious as to what you say to this, Stevie, because it is well documented, how you're not usually the biggest fan of Diego Simeone. But do you agree with his placement on this list?
26:01Gab Marcotti:Yeah, I kind of look at it from the wrong way around, probably. I agree that some of the names ahead of him are a bit of a head-scratcher. And I think, honestly, one of the biggest for me is Unai Emery at number five. Fifth best manager on the planet. you know Miami's had two big jobs Arsenal and PSG and neither of them really worked out and the other jobs everybody's saying how great they've been but it's with teams that are not expected to do well but teams that end up winning the Europa League but at the end of the day if you want to talk about the Europa League you cannot hide the fact that the Europa League is a second rate tournament so if you want to be the guy who wins the second rate tournament a thousand times that still to me doesn't make you the number five best manager on the planet so he's put it down to coaching
27:00Dan Thomas:acumen style people management communication achievements and the x factor you could argue that other coaches wouldn't have done that with the teams that he's taken over yeah but it's the
27:11Gab Marcotti:level that he's done at that is my point. He's done fantastic jobs with teams that weren't expected to do what they did. But does that mean you're the fifth best manager in the world? I don't think so.
27:29Dan Thomas:Not for you. What about you, Dan?
27:31Gab Marcotti:No. No, I disagree with Stevie. I think from the criteria point of view, I think he fits a lot of that criteria. I think Cesc Fabregas in 15th, I think he's trending in the right direction. Arnaz slot 8, Vincent Kompany 9. That one's the wrong way around to me. I think Vincent Kompany could have been a couple of spots higher up than Arnaz slot. But I think on the Unai Emery one, I think when you talk about the criteria, if it's just on what you've won and it's not obviously elite Champions Leagues and Premier Leagues or leagues that you've managed in, then you might be a few spots lower down, if you like.
28:12But I think on the criteria with player management and recruitment, well, no, because the criteria is the criteria. So I think Unai Emery comes fifth on what you're picking him for. So I tend to agree with that. I think Vincent Kompany should have been ahead of Arna Slott. And as I said, I think Ali makes a good point about I'd let it go Madrid. And I think Fabregas on 15th, I think, was trending in the right direction.
28:37Dan Thomas:Ali, if we may on the top 10 now, what stands out to you?
28:44Did I tell you that I didn't get past 18? I just remembered one as well. Sorry, Ali. No, no, no, it's all right. Look, I think... See, here's where I have, and I understand where Steve is coming from with Unai Emity. You look at what Xavi Alonso was able to do at Bayer Leverkusen. And while I suppose on paper Unai Emity, of course, has been a longer club or a manager at the club level for longer than Xavi Alonso has, you can't deny that you have a historical, because it was, a record-setting season with Bayer Leverkusen. And that's winning a league. Winning. Winning above Bayern Munich. Winning with a lesser team against Bayern Munich.
29:31You do that in the manner in which they did, going unbeaten. And you kind of go, that has to be more impressive than some of the other things that are going on with some of the managers in that top ten list that are ahead of Xavi Alonso. And I'm not defending Xavi Alonso. I'm just, what are we placing importance on? And so, as it pertains to achievements, then winning a Bundesliga season against Bayern Munich in the manner in which Leverkusen did is more impressive to me than Unai Emity winning a Europa League. That's where I kind of go on that. It's been restructured, by the way. Thank you. Thank you.
30:08Gab Marcotti:Appreciate it. Thank you. I've got a question for Don. You will know more about Gasparini than me, right? You watch Italian football more than I do. But Gasparini's never had a plane or a boat outside of Italy, and he's never had any of the top jobs. How is he the sixth best coach on the planet? Well, I think the job that he'd done at Atalanta was incredible. But if you're going off title, Stevie, then I think you make a valid point. But Kay, do me a favour, read out the criteria for me.
30:39Dan Thomas:Coaching acumen, style, people management, communication, history slash achievements, and X-factor. that's why the likes of Gasparini is high on that list.
30:53Gab Marcotti:What X-Factor is Gasparini got? He's got X-Factor, but what I'm trying to say is when you look at the criteria, he's done the most amazing job without winning titles. If your criteria is number one, winning the very biggest of silverware, then that list would be completely different. but these guys on that list in the top 10, I disagree with Arnaz Slott. That's the stand-up one to me. Have Vincent Kompany's not ranked higher than Arnaz Slott, I'll never know. But I think you have to look at the bigger picture, like the criteria is sort of indicating that behind the scenes, the job that these guys are doing are absolutely amazing.
31:35I don't want to dwell on this, but Christian Kibu, number 10 in this list, best manager in the world, hasn't been around long enough to be number 10 in this list. Just won a title with Inter. Again, hasn't been around long enough to be number 10. We're talking about the best 10 managers in the world. And Christian Kibu is in that conversation.
31:56Gab Marcotti:Who's the manager of Bodo, Glenn? Well, it's not Christian Kibu, I want to tell you that. Because they knocked his team out. You know, if you're talking about the best managers in the world, number one criteria has to be winning. Has to be winning. There's a thousand coaches around the world in the middle of nowhere who have done incredible jobs at man management and getting players for their team and the whole thing, but they don't win nothing. They're getting nothing. But they're great coaches. If we're talking about the best coaches in the world, at this level, it should be about winning. It's not about being a nice guy or a bad guy.
32:35Gab Marcotti:He's such a tactical guy. At the end of the day, it's about winning. If you're in the top ten and the best managers on the planet, you better have some trophies sat behind you when you get the picture taken. Again, Stevie, and I digress because we're focused on the top 10. Ruben Amorim was in this list. Yeah. Yes. How does he make the list? How does he make the list? I mean, what? Come on now. Michael Carrick was up in the list. I know. Number 21. He said three weeks at Man United.
33:05Dan Thomas:Managed, seeing as though we want to give him a little shout out. What was his name? Ketil Knudsen.
33:09Gab Marcotti:Yeah. Okay, well, put him in. Well, what he did. I mean, who did it? Put him in. Who did a better job last year than him. We're not ruining our money, I'll tell you that. Semi-final, semi-final. I mean, come on. So, yeah, that's my problem with this list. It's about winning.
33:26Dan Thomas:If you'd like to get as annoyed as Stevie, maybe you can go and check it out over on our website, but make sure to stay up to date with all the latest on our YouTube channel, including Extra Time every single day.
33:40Dan Thomas:This episode is brought to you by Facebook. So you were scrolling on Marketplace, and there it was, the bike you'd been searching for. You sent a message, and it turned out the seller was super chatty, kind of funny, and an avid cyclist. The next thing you know, you're in a cycling crew. Well, a community cycling group. The thing about Facebook, you might find more than what you're looking for. From a browse to a bike ride, this summer, find more on Facebook.
34:12Dan Thomas:Okay, that's all we've got time for on the latest edition of ESPN FC. Stick around, though. Extra Time is on the way. Next, Don Pucherson is joining these two to answer your questions. See you over there.
34:24Dan Thomas:Welcome into the latest edition of Extra Time. We have LA, Stevie and Don here with us. Hello, Don. Don's had a haircut by the looks. He's a bit flush looking, isn't he? Tell you what. He was at the golf course today. Oh, I've been playing golf, so I'm a bit rich. Stevie, can I blow your mind a little bit?
34:42Gab Marcotti:Go on then. Oh, here we go. Right, no, just going back to that list. I was intrigued to see where Jose was on that list. This is top 30 managers. He's down at 24th. 24th. So, according to that list, Kivu, Slott, Glasner, Iroola, Mareska, Hurtler and Eddie Howe are all better than Jose Mourinho. Nope.
35:06Dan Thomas:he's brought it back up Stevie was livid in the show about the top 30 managers list that's over on our website right now furious is there any other words you can think of?
35:18Gab Marcotti:livid, furious
35:21Dan Thomas:apoplectic beside himself Dan Thomas first in tonight just to get you a bit more raging it's ok, Dan Thomas he's not having a go at you today at what stage did Don realise it was an eclipse and not just night time Wow. Wow. I've got to say, I've got to say, reading, reading the news and watching the news today, my house was petrified. Like my three lads weren't allowed to look at the sun in case they got blind. Like everyone was petrified in the house. Is that true? You look at the eclipse and you go blind? Well, you are supposed to look through glasses, yeah.
36:07I did I don't know That was an awkward silence That was an awkward silence
36:13Dan Thomas:Stevie congrats on being In the Mourinho documentary Don do you think they'll ever pull a quote From you for the Victor Ossiman documentary Just get me in Get me in I'll rave about him all day long News to me too because the clip that I got sent Was Sid Lowe talking Ah, you speak after that
36:35Gab Marcotti:Oh Oh Words of wisdom, no doubt
36:41Dan Thomas:To be fair to our producer, the clip that we got sent We watched from start to finish and it missed that bit out It was just the Sid bit Maybe for a good reason Again, the production department today Coming up short No, somewhere Sid Lowe's got the full version And he has to listen to Stevie's part too Yeah Alright, Don percentage chance Enzo Fernandez is a Man City player by deadline yeah I fancy this is gonna happen I fancy this is gonna happen I'm gonna go 70 30 he moves I just heard from our director that she should not be included in the message in the production of the show today and that she has been outstanding which I agree.
37:25Dan Thomas:Agreed. Yeah. Agreed? Okay. Unanimous. For Ale, given the current squads, who's winning La Liga, Real Madrid or Barcelona? I think it's something that Stevie alluded to in the show is that it feels like Real Madrid is taking steps forwards and Barcelona is taking steps backwards. And now you can start building an argument that Real Madrid seem far more settled than Barcelona do. And it's not something that I would have said coming into the season, But given what Barcelona don't have as of right now, and their main piece is Juliana Alvarez, they still don't have Rodri. It's a conversation, but it still hasn't happened as of now.
38:05So where we are, where we sit right now, it feels like Real Madrid has an advantage over Barcelona going into the season. I'm not sure that that's going to last, but that's what the question says, right? That's that full disclosure. That's a disclaimer. Even the current squads.
38:20Gab Marcotti:The current squad, I'm saying Real Madrid. A word of caution though. If you remember, we all said the same thing when they signed Mbappe. It seems like Real Madrid have got themselves right in a good position. Signing Mbappe and a couple of others. And we were like, wow, this is Real Madrid. And then guess what, Armand? Bit like Liverpool as well. We sat here last year going, oh, Liverpool, he's saying, he's hacking, and this guy and that guy and then so just a little word of caution yeah I'm just saying the disclaimer of the question is right now right now it doesn't mean that when we go to select who's going to win the league I'm going to say Real Madrid but where we are right now Real Madrid are building a very strong argument
39:10Dan Thomas:go ahead Don I just can't believe when Gemma was on before and we were chatting you know potential plan B's the best number nine that I think that's out there that would fit Barcelona style is João Pedro from Chelsea. I cannot believe that he hasn't been linked. Letaro Martinez is another one from Inter who I think might be a plan B, but João Pedro to me he looks like, he plays for Barca, he could be incredible for them. I think he'd been linked, but the new contract put paid to that, right?
39:41Gab Marcotti:Yeah, I don't disagree with you, Don, but Chelsea couldn't let him go, otherwise they would be up a gum tree.
39:48Dan Thomas:Don, which Which of these players is most likely to put on much better performances this season compared to their performances last season? Isak, Foden or Palmer? I thought when the question was coming in, I thought Vert surely had to be one of them.
40:12I'd give Palmer a bye. I'd give Cole Palmer a bye. but I definitely think the other two Isak and Phil Foden need to do more Isak has to prove now that he's match ready and he's match fit, he's more or less wasted a season and that was his own fault by not doing a pre-season last year for Newcastle that to me was a daft move where you look at the bigger picture if you're Isak and you know the chances are you're going to go to Liverpool do your pre-season with Newcastle and be match ready and fit ready to go to Liverpool and because he didn't and he wasted his preseason had a knock-on effect he got injured all right was a bit of a freak accident a broken leg or a broken ankle but I didn't think he helped himself Phil Foden is the one where you think you know he's brilliant you know he's world-class can Maresca be the man to get out of him because he's got all the talent in the world Don bad news while you have to make a compelling argument that was for a different question yeah this question is asking something entirely different so you might want to read that one again.
41:17Is it? Go on, hang on.
41:20Dan Thomas:Which of the three is going to be better?
41:23Gab Marcotti:He's not going to be as rubbish as they were last year recently. What, that's what I was saying. He says that in the question I answered. Cole Palmer will get a bye because I didn't think he was disastrous. Isak was terrible and so was Phil Foden. So I could tweet Isak and Foden. That's not the question. Am I reading that wrong? Yes. Pick one of the three. Pick one of the three to be much better than they were last. Who's going to be better than they were last year? Foden! Foden, but I was just giving you context. So do you think Foden was worse than Isak last year?
42:03Not far off, mate, yeah, because the talent that he's got, yeah. I mean, as I said, Isak broke his leg. So he does get a bit of a bye there. Foden, I'm sticking with Foden because I think he's brilliant. He can do better. I still don't think he knows my question he's answering.
42:20Dan Thomas:He couldn't read it because he didn't put his eclipsed glasses on. Yeah, that's why. Stevie, can you explain Liverpool's wins? Hang on, whoa, whoa, whoa. Do we all think Phil Foden was good last year? No, who was the watch? Who was the watch? It's got to be Isak. I think Phil Foden.
42:38Gab Marcotti:You think Phil Foden? He broke his leg, Stevie! So what? He broke his leg! You can't play good if you've got a broken leg! That wasn't the question either. That's not the question either. Right, listen. I'm saying this for the last time. I don't care what the question is. The answer is Phil Foner. Thank you, Don.
43:02Dan Thomas:Stevie, can you explain Liverpool's wing situation? Gakpo Munoz and Rio are all best on the left. Then they consider Barcola, who is also best on the left. What's the plan?
43:14Gab Marcotti:Well, there's clearly not a plan. That's the answer. There isn't a plan. No, no, you're wrong. The answer is Philpone. I didn't read the question. It's a bit like Real Madrid as well, isn't it? They've got Vinny, they've got Mbappe and Diamandie and they all want to play on the left. So I have no idea. I will say, though, that obviously he thinks judging by pre-season Inga Moore has played quite a lot on the right hand side so my guess would be that Inga Moore is going to start on the right hand side that would be my guess
43:50Dan Thomas:OK, while we are talking about Barcola this is a quote from the PSG president Nasser Al-Khalaifi saying Don, I want to know what you think about this We're working calmly, we don't talk too much we do I can't say whether he will leave or not but today he is a PSG player
44:12Diplomatic I think the fact that they've signed three wingers in the last 7-10 days suggests that he might be on his way But Liverpool I don't think can get to 150 million quid So that's where the stumbling block comes If Liverpool have to pay the 150, they've got to pay it Otherwise Khalifa and PSG have got that much money and that much quality They won't sell him cheap That's when Arsenal might come into the equation. You want me to read the questions now? Okay, since you can't hear. Can you please pass me the piece of paper, Stevie?
44:48Dan Thomas:The question is for you. Alright.
44:56We're now fixing, as again the production issues continue. Ali, you have run the show tonight. We are now fixing her IFB. The battery has run out. So should I ask you the question, Steve? Did you expect to be on the show today? No, I didn't. Oh, no, we already did that one. She didn't cross it out. So the question is for me, Steve. So can you read it? I'll read it. Okay, here we go. The last one, Steve.
45:21Gab Marcotti:Ali. Yeah. This one's for you, Ali. Oh, well, thank you. If pineapples shouldn't be on pizza, is it okay to have it in your hamburger? Okay. First of all, I don't have a problem. I don't know why this is addressed to me. I don't have a problem with pineapple on pizza. You can have it. It's a little sweet. I forgot I was meant to be listening to you. You know what? She's done. I'm talking to Kay now.
45:50Dan Thomas:I just couldn't see her done.
45:52Gab Marcotti:I was going into Dan mode there. When he presents, he doesn't listen to what you say. I'll tell you what.
45:57Dan Thomas:Talking about being fuming. I'm fuming now that you said it's okay to have pineapple on a pizza. What's wrong with pineapple on a pizza? Look, I'm not. I don't order it myself. But I don't pass judgment if somebody else does it because pineapple on pizza, much like me, is sweet and salty. You know? They're so sophisticated in Meadows, bro. But certainly, 100 % certainty. Phil Foden. Well, Phil Foden, and it's not going on my burger either. I don't get that one. It's not going on my burger. I can accept it and let it pass on the pizza, but not going on the burger, no. What about a gamut steak? Huh?
46:36A gammon steak.
46:37Dan Thomas:A gammon steak has a pineapple, doesn't it?
46:38Gab Marcotti:A gammon steak pineapple. What is that? What is a gammon steak? Oh. No. You don't know what a gammon steak is? Good. Well, I am asking the question because obviously I do not know what it is. How do you explain a gammon steak to somebody? A gammon steak. Oh, it is, isn't it? It is. Pork. Porky. From a piggy. Okay. All right. I'll eat pork too. No, it has a pineapple on it. That does come with pineapple on it. I'll eat it with the pork. In fact, the only way to have it is with a pineapple. I don't believe I would eat it on a burger. Right. No, no, no.
47:10Dan Thomas:Where is our resident Italian, Don Atto, put this in on the pineapple on a pizza? See, yeah, Don Adoni says no. I am of the school of thought, though, where just live and let live. Put whatever on your food you like. If you like it, you like it, but it's not for me. You can't be putting pineapple on a burger or pineapple on a pizza. You're asking the wrong person because Don won't even put cheese on his burger. So... Oh no, it's only melted cheese. Isn't it? He doesn't like cheese that's hot and melted. Yeah. Hot cheese. Hot cheese. So the lukewarm cheese is all right. The hot melted one. The cheese isn't melted yet.
47:51No, no, no, no, no. Like cold cheese. Like when you have cold cheese on a cracker and you have a bit of cold cheese and a cup of tea, you go, yeah, yeah, that's nice. Right. But start putting like hot cheese on a burger. I know, but what about the... What about if you put the cold cheese on the hot burger? Then it might start to melt. It turns into hot cheese, you numpty. Well, I'm just asking. Hey, I'm not the one who's making that differentiation between hot cheese and cold cheese. You are. Yeah, done. I'll tell you what the answer is. Phil Foden. Yes.
48:23Dan Thomas:Of course it is, because a leopard never changes its spots. Yeah. And now we've come full circle. We're done here. We will be back tomorrow with a lot more. Thank you so much for being with us. Make sure to join us every day.
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From the publisher
The FC Crew react to the UEFA Super Cup Final where PSG defeat Aston Villa to win consecutive Super Cups as they prepare to defend their back-to-back UCL titles. Also, a look at Spurs' summer as they reportedly are set to sell Cristian Romero to Atleti and Djed Spence to Inter. Also, a massive debate on ESPN.com's Top 30 Club Managers in Europe list.
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