“Sir Alex Is STILL Better Than Pep” | Rio on GOAT Manager + Man United signing Lewandowski

0:00Hey, Pablo Torre here. As a sports journalist, I've covered global sports for many years now. And there is one thing that I can promise you. Nothing compares to the World Cup. And this time it is even better thanks to McDonald's. You have the chance to take home one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal. The cups feature some of the biggest legends in football like David Beckham, Terry Henry and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic, Laminya Mall and Alfonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's, only for a limited time, while supplies last.

0:36All rights reserved. Copyright 2026. McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

0:45Stee, is he the greatest Premier League manager ever in history? I'll just leave, Joe. Don't talk, Sean. I just thought it was worth asking.

0:58I don't know I just thought it was Steve explain explain what you talk about what don't you like Troy Ferguson had like the highest spend in about three of his 20 summit seasons in the Premier League

1:12yes guys welcome to our final episode of Rio Presents this season massive shout out to our partners who have been magnificent this season loving having these guys on board with us they've been producing by the way Joel's been banging at I've seen Joel all over the gaff in it. Steve, a bit more conservative, he likes a little bit more plain stuff. We've seen his workout gear so we know that anyway. But they're a men's jewellery brand that sits in the sweet spot between that super expensive designer pieces and the cheap, poor quality brand. So make sure you go and check them out. If you've never heard of them crafted, make sure you go and do it.

1:47Joel, Steve Housen, obviously my two partners in crime were here, we're ready to rock and roll. Joe, I've got to say, you know what? You've got to bring it in because I think it's your time. You must have been allowed today. You're allowed today. It's your time. It's your time. Listen, I've been waiting. I've been waiting years for this moment, I must say. I've got the cigars out today. Smelling good. Good to go. But before we get into Bruno Fernandes smashing the record, etc., we have to talk about Guard of Honours. Would you have done a Guard of Honour for an opponent during a game? Because, you know, during the City versus Aston Villa game, they did one for Bernardo Silva with half an hour to go and then the same for John Stones in the 78th minute now Rooney, you weren't happy about that he said it makes me sad that things like this are happening in football they deserve it, but do it after the game if I was one of those Aston Villa players I'd be fuming I mean honestly, mental stuff what are you guys saying?

2:46I say it's a load of bollocks I think it should just like wait till the end of the game and celebrate your team. The opposition, I don't understand why I guard. How did they even agree to it, Villa? I would never agree to that. Let his own fans and his own team give him the guard of honour. End of the game, celebrate them two guys. They deserve it. They've been magnificent while they've been at that football club. John Stone's been top draw. Bernardo Silva's been a ridiculous sign and someone who's achieved ridiculous things there and done some great things. but mid-game doing it I've never heard of anything so stupid in my life I've got to go whoever thought of that needs their head wobbling Mo Salad yesterday like he had his moment his kids are on the pitch like that's the norm what you see classic do you know what for a Liverpool player that I should hate classic and I think he's he's been an absolute fantastic servant for that football club for me he is the best player that's played for Liverpool in the Premier League and it's not even close no but the way he done it yesterday was the way that you you're used to seeing it.

3:49And I think the way that it should be done, he has his moment on that pitch on his own with those fans. Like the opposition players, why the hell are Aston Villa there celebrating his career? Do you know what I mean? Mid-game. What benefit does that have to Aston Villa? It just doesn't make sense. It's just so... I don't understand. And I guarantee you the players wouldn't have been a part of that. The two players that came off the pitch, I don't blame them. I just think there'll be people in there just being busy and trying to create something that just doesn't need to be created. Do you think they did it because they didn't really care because they had a very successful week, Villa, and they were just like, yeah, yeah, yeah, sure, whatever, that's fine.

4:24Yeah, probably still half-pissed, most of them, do you know what I mean? So after winning in Europe, and rightly so. But no, I don't agree with that one. That's not one for me. Listen, it's not the worst thing in the world, but it's just one of those things I just think, nah, that's just a bit over the top. Yeah, focus on the game. Okay, guys, I want us to talk about the man, the myth, the legend, Bruno Fernandes smashing the record 21 assists Rio you've been doing your research on this isn't it because you haven't liked all the negativity he's been receiving I've been doing a bit of research right he actually Bruno Fernandes he outranks Kevin De Bruyne on every metric other than goals scored and crosses completely completed and attempted a number of passes in the attacking half but everything else he just absolutely obliterates him it's unbelievable when you see like assists this season like like the amount of passes that he even attempts like i'm looking at it here passing accurately do you mean he's he's crossing accuracy through balls open play crosses completed like bruno is is like he's forward passes everything is just like he's just obliterates him numbers on the pitch it's crazy now listen I'm not saying he's a better player than Kevin De Bruyne but I'm saying this season he has put himself in the conversation when you're talking about creative players that play in this league he's doing some crazy stuff man he's a wonderful player of course you know I would have loved to see one of my Arsenal boys do it but I'm not mad at him winning because I feel like it's now bringing back the individualism in football because I think for so long all we are doing is look at the metrics for Ballon d 'Or for goodness sake you have to win the World Cup or you have to and even if you win the treble you've got to win the World Cup or when in 99 season Steve correct me if I'm wrong Rivaldo won Ballon d 'Or correct?

6:26David Beckham didn't get out of the Champions League group wasn't a World Cup year David Beckham wins a treble come second you know but they looked at it like who did they think was the best I mean I don't even think he was the best player that season but they were looking at individualism I think Bruno deserves it you can't you can't be the centerpiece to a swing as huge as they've had from last season to this season right and be like the absolute like machine behind it all he has been the centerpiece of all of it. Half the season in a double pivot and all, not even playing up front. Yeah, exactly.

7:05And no disrespect, if he had like a bloody Harland or an Henri or someone like that up front, it was like, you've got young Sesco who's coming in and finding his feet, right? If he had someone in there who's getting 40 goals a season, 30 goals a season, God knows, he created eight chances the second to last game of the season, you know? Created eight chances in one game. and he had one goal out of it. Like, another team, he could have four assists in a game there. God knows what he'd have. I know the feeling, man, because I remember when Ozil was like, you know, close to breaking it and Giroud didn't bang any goals and like with 11 games to go, absolutely killed him.

7:46But I want to ask, Steve, at the end of last season, the fan base, they were split between cashing in on Bruno and keeping him. I was. You was as well. I thought if we could have got 100 million for him, especially because he had this sort of like role in Ruben Amarim's team where you're like, we don't get the best out of him and we don't get the best out of the team by forcing him into a position that doesn't really suit him. So you're thinking, well, if Ruben Amarim's going to be here and Bruno's going to be this sort of like not quite fully effective player in this position and someone wants to offer us 100 million for a 30-year-old, I can make the case why that's a good decision if it's invested.

8:26now I'm glad he didn't obviously I mean like I said I even spoke to him in the summer I said why are you still here man with what's been on the table and he said to me I've got so much football left to play and oh my god Joel as he played it I didn't think he was like not only have I got so much football left to play but I'm going to have the best season of my entire career and I'm going to take you lot from 15th to 3rd if we if we listen man the second season now you go So, Sesko, you're going to have a better version of Sesko, you'd like to think. You'll have a better version of Ahmad Mbumo Kunia, right?

9:04And they might add someone else to that. If those guys start hitting a bit of form and purple patches, right, his numbers could do a madness again next season if he continues in this form. And who's to say he's not going to continue? Listen, after the World Cup, we'll have to wait and see where he is. I think that's going to be a big telling factor on someone like Bruno because he's going to play there. he's going to have a long like 18 months but if those guys are moving in the right way and they're finishing chances that he's setting up man, I mean like I'd want to be in their shoes, that's the one thing I would be, if I'm the strikers in that team, I'm looking back and going Bruno man, just get knocked out in the group stages with Portugal, get ready for next season because I'm going to be flying all over this pitch expecting the ball to be on the end of my left or right foot to bang goals.

9:51Rio and Buomo's goal definitely showed the connection between the players it was sick to see the quick one twos etc that looks so different under Michael Carrick compared to previous matches can you now see the way he's playing or the way he's played being translated to how he's managing yeah I just feel that Michael knows the way that Manchester United fans want to see their team play and I think in the end he'll get there I think but he just needs time again I keep saying and repeating this this team were conditioned to play in a certain particular formation that none of them were really comfortable in.

10:27And none of them probably played in any of their career until they got there. And then he's had to reverse that and that mindset and that mentality to get them back into playing this way that a lot of them feel more comfortable looking. And you're starting to see the fruits of that. And I think next season, I'm really looking forward to seeing the start of next season, how the team plays. I think Michael will get the team on the training pitch. Obviously, the ones that will be the World Cup, post-World Cup. But when he gets a team in and starts working with him, I'd just like to see with some new additions, what this main United team looked like under one coat.

10:57I think we've seen some nice glimpses this season. And I think the consistency of those good glimpses is what I'm looking forward to seeing. What are you both looking forward to seeing though? I know what you're saying, Rio, but player-wise, positions. Steve, Rio, where do you need to improve? Because the Champions League, take it from me. It's not easy. you know take it from me we don't have a backup goalkeeper right there's a good chance that Bayon Deer's on his toes Onana's on his toes Tom Eaton's just signed an extension I wonder if Casemiro's interview had anything to do with that by the way after the way he gassed him up he's got an extension so we need a number two goalkeeper I think Tom's pretty much cemented as like the number three slash you know assistant goalkeeper coach or whatever it is that he's sort of doing in there so you've got to bring someone else in maybe Vitek who's been out on loan and absolutely smashed it Maybe that's the option for that, number two.

11:49Give him some time in the Cups, maybe. I think we need a left-back. I think Luke Shaw starting every single game this year is remarkable, but I think there's a way you can level up in that position. I can make a case for a right-back, depending on what happens with De Lowe and Masra. If some type Masra might be going to Juventus. Clearly, we need one midfielder, minimum. I think Ugar, it goes as well, which means you need two. And even then, I can still make a case for a third, unless you're going to promote maybe Jim Thwaites or one of the Fletchers. we absolutely need a striker because Zerksy ain't that guy.

12:21We need somebody, and I don't think Cido's quite ready to be that reliable backup yet. I see Vlahovic is available on a free. I would absolutely run to go and bring him in and just see what we could do with that. I think there's a case to be made for a left winger. I can make a case here for a dozen players, easily, and we need that. I think, do you know what, listen, pay attention because I'm not going to do this often, but I'll give Arsenal some credit. it. What you did in the closed season was you brought in depth and that's what's got you the distance this season and that's where United really need to think.

12:55The starting 11 needs a central midfielder. Outside of that, it needs depth. They're talking about Edison, who I mentioned about two or three years ago from Atalanta. Should have got him then. Good footballer. But I was worrying. I saw a picture of Anderson coming out of the same restaurant as the sporting director of Man City the other day. So that looks like he might be going to Man City, which is unfortunate because I think he'd have been perfect for us. I think we're going to have to buy two or three midfielders, I think, to cover that area. And there's got to be legs in there. The ones that they're buying, they've got to be mobile and can move.

13:33Lewandowski ain't a bad shout. If we brought him in, the experience that he has, the amount of learning that Sesko, if you're believing Cesco's going to be the guy for the next five or so or plus years the learning he could do with Lewandowski who is a wonderful humble human being who would I think teach and show and kind of try and coordinate Cesco and get him in the right way I think he'd be a really I think he'd be a sensible signing as well I mean he's got obviously numbers would be crazy to wages wise but I think if you're if you're trying to benefit his squad I think he could be a great presence agreed But yeah, I don't know.

14:16It's going to be a good summer. I think it's interesting someone to see who we go for. Agreed. Okay, cool. So before we get on to Arsenal's title winning team, let's go through our podcast end of season awards. Few categories to discuss. So make sure you throw in your thoughts, everybody watching in the comments. I'm talking on socials, everywhere you see it, you need to get involved. So your player of the season, Stee and Rio, Bruno. that's fair to say right? Bruno done I'm going to throw in a quick spanner you know I have to say either Declan Rice or David Raya for me. I think Raya is ahead of Rice I'm going to be honest with you I don't think Rice even had a good a season as Casemiro have you seen what every Premier League team set of fans voted for and who they voted for?

15:06No go on Arsenal fans voted for Declan Rice Brentford and City fans voted for Semenyo, the rest of the bleeding league voted for Bruno Fernandes. Wow. Telling. Like I said before, no one else has really stood out. Bruno's the only standout candidate. Arsenal have had three or four really good players this season. Declan's at his moments and done really well. Ray has been at his moments. Gabriel stood out and done well as well. Everyone else is a much of a much as I've got to say. You know what? I need to stop it. Yeah, just give it to Bruno. I'm with you guys. What about the manager of the season?

15:46You've got to go Arteta. Arteta's manager of the season. Say it, Steve. Steve, say it.

15:55It probably is Arteta. You win it, it's Arteta. But I can't anoint a man who's made me hate football more this year because of the tactics that he's employed. You have to respect it. The emotional pull matters, right? I think Michael Carrick absolutely deserves a shout towards him 17 no hear me out since he's been there there's no one been better right that's a fact alright cool what I will say is and I think another person who deserves a little bit of credit is Herzl yeah or maybe it's just some of that Brighton do because everybody that I think me me you and Rio could go to Brighton and probably end up getting a shout manager of the season because every single manager that they have no matter who have they had a bad manager ever every single manager goes in and does well So that just tells you that that club is so well run.

16:41It's a joke. Yeah, no, I agree. Credit to him. Well done. I think the Brentford manager... Herzl, Carrick and Lego Ed. I think the Brentford manager deserves some credit. Yeah, yeah. I think he's done a really good job. I think he's... I think going in after Thomas Frank as well, I think it's no easy fit. He's someone... He could have had a 10-year contract there, Thomas Frank, different from what he'd done. Yeah. He was dismissed as well, wasn't he? Because he was just known as the set-piece coach. Yeah, big up, Keith Andrews. No, because I said that at the start of the season because I was just like, oh, he just takes corners.

17:16But he's being brilliant, man. He's had a confidence and an assuredness as well. Like when he's seen him interviewed and stuff, he's really like, he's comfortable in the role. And I think when you follow a big manager, at whatever level, it's difficult. And I think you've got to get the players to buy in. Again, if he's set-piece manager and then goes into manager players, some players are looking at him and going, The other day, you were telling me where to be on the corners, mate. Shut up. If you don't get a couple of results, they're looking at you funny. So he's had to navigate a few, I think, sticky situations.

17:46And I think he's done a really good job. He does. Biggest overachievers, would you say? Yeah, Bournemouth and Brentford. I'd go for Keith Andrews, given that, again, the manager position and the person he had to take over from. I'll say Brentford or Sunderland. I think the catch at Sunderland are looking at me. in Europe. Who would have fought, man? Like, ridiculous. Biggest underachievers? Scousers. Liverpool. You spent 500 million, right? Check this out, Rio. There's been a 53-point swing between United and Liverpool, right? After they spent 500 million. It's them. And it's not even close. I mean, obviously, with Salah not having a good season, Robertson leaving as well.

18:33What does Slot need to do? because it's not looking to... Do you know what? I saw a quote from Virgil van Dijk about Diego Jota. I think that had a bigger impact than anyone could have imagined. I think they hadn't had time to really kind of process that and I think there is sympathy for that and I think you have to consider that because that drop-off is huge that Steve just mentioned. So that has to be considered and you have to think, you know what, with the summer now, to go away and just kind of recharge after the World Cup for a lot of these players, you might get a different Liverpool to come back.

19:08The only caveat to that is the way that Salah spoke about tactics and going like, this isn't working, and we need to go back to the Klopp way and the heavy metal football, etc. So I don't know what we're going to get next year. It's going to be quite... I mean, Salah's not going to be there. Robertson's not going to be there. But what type of football is this manager going to play with those players, given what Salah said in that really explosive interview? So, I mean, I've seen Salah get hammered for some of the stuff that he said. I get it, but at the same time, I understand him and his frustration.

19:39When you set a level that he's set, there's only a few players in the game that can even sit and talk at the table with him. And so you're not going to understand the mindset of a player like him and the way that they see things. They're just different. They're different animals. So do it that consistent for eight or nine years the way he has. They've made a different stuff, so they see things differently. So you've got to consider that sometimes with the way they react to certain situations. But I think those words that he said were like, they were a knife to the chest, the way that he was speaking there.

20:12And he was unveiling some really kind of private and delicate situations at the football club that we're going to have to see, let play out. We're going to let them play out and see how they come out and unfold because it's going to be interesting. You don't go from winning the league like that to where they fell to in the manner that they did. Yeah. No, it's really bad. I mean, yeah, when you saw him getting his round of applause, I just saw Slott clapping and I thought, he does not want to be clapping right about now. Also, I think quickly, Chelsea have had a very underwhelming season finishing temp.

20:45It's not as bad as Liverpool's, but yeah, man, it's not been great for them either. Signing of the season, Rio? Chaka's been a great signing, I think, at Sunderland. Yeah. I think he's stabilised that club. He's given them a bit of direction, experience. I think he's been like brilliant. Definitely. He'd be in the show up. I think Cherki's been a great signing for City. He's lit the place up. He's brought some excitement. That individualism you were talking about earlier, Joel. I think he's like, he does stuff that you go, oh, I wouldn't mind paying to watch that. Yeah, those guys would be the ones that would stand out.

21:21I mean, you've got Cunha as well, Steve, right? Would you say, Cunha? I think from United's point of view, I think Lemons has been the best. Oh yeah, in the minute. Yeah, I forgot about that. Yeah, he's forgotten about sometimes. He's just come in, he's been so chill, so calm and so unruffable. Like, I think people forget and goalkeeper's such a... That position's on... Are you even thinking about where we're going to improve that for the next 10 years? Because I'm not. I'm thinking that just nailed. You just thought you were worried about number two earlier. Yeah. That's it. I have to say Cherky or Semenyo for me because I think Semenyo's goals are underrated man like not only for Bournemouth but for City as well if he weren't in that team they would have they would have got done time ago yeah he's done too much for them man goal of the season guys you see Wilson's won right and honestly that's a great goal I love him to play like that reminds me of York and Cole I love movement I love people that pass it and then get on their toes I love that that's football for me none of the shite you lot do at corners but I think Harrison Reid's is worthy of a shout oh yeah yeah that stayed hit yeah that was a banger outside of that there's not really been loads of mega United ones that have stuck in my head really this season no do you know what I like I'm going for Oh, is it someone bundling a goalkeeper over the line for one of yours, was it?

22:56No, no, it's not. It's a Cherky-Rabona-Tofoden header. Yeah, that was nice. That brought back football, man. No, no, Reid was nice as well, but that made you start... What's that group for popping when that goal went in? I've got to be honest, lighten off a goal this season. And Rio, it's not just that, it's the fact that they tried to interview Peppa back at the end and he was fuming! It's true, it's true. He was fuming, started talking about Messi and all sorts. Oh my gosh, yeah. Let us know in the comments, guys. You know, we want to hear your thoughts as well. We've got one more, which is favourite moment of the season.

23:33I mean, for me, it's very easy, isn't it? So I'm going to sit this one out, guys. Leaving it to you guys. Yeah, fair one for you lot, not for me. I don't know if there's been a single standout moment. I think the utter managerial carnage has just been... I mean, we get a lot of that every single season, but this season felt like it was particularly spicy in terms of just the sheer nuttiness of the managerial merry-go-round. Not just Chelsea, not just Spurs. In fact, do you know what? Liam Resignia's campaign has been my favourite part of this entire season. Because what an... You couldn't have wrote that.

24:08Right, man, we've got loads still to come on this pod, but we'll be back shortly after this.

24:16Hey, Pablo Torre here. As a sports journalist, I've covered global sports for many years now. And there is one thing that I can promise you. Nothing compares to the World Cup. And this time, it is even better thanks to McDonald's. You have the chance to take home one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal. The cups feature some of the biggest legends in football, like David Beckham, Terry Henry, and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic, Lamin Amal, and Alphonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's, only for a limited time, while supplies last.

24:52All rights reserved. Copyright 2026. McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Host unforgettable backyard barbecues with savings from Whole Foods Market. Get the good times going with made-in-house chicken or pork sausages and ready-to-cook kebabs for hassle-free flavor. Grab tasty flatbreads and their new balsamic chicken salad in the prepared foods department. Keep things fresh with organic red cherries, strawberries and peaches at their peak. And stock up on bug sprays and sun care must-haves. Make your summer sizzle at Whole Foods Market. I think my favourite moment, I think, is seeing Arsenal win it.

25:33Oh, behave. Seriously. Yes, Rio. After so much, so much kind of like hate watching and so much ridicule. and the fact that Liverpool and Man City haven't got a stranglehold on that title now. With Arsenal winning it, I think. With Pep going, Rio, it could be a mad one, you know? Oh yeah, you know what? The favourite moment of the season is yet to come because I think that one of the reasons Pep's gone is because something is about to drop. That will be my favourite moment for this season. Oh, that is too funny. But yeah, guys, it's about time we spoke about us the Premier League champions. Rio I'm just going for a tunnel one sec Rio, how much credit does the main man Mikel Arteta deserve for this moment?

26:23Come on No, I think Mikel Arteta deserves his flowers, I think again for persistence, for resilience patience even and just sheer determination to get over that hurdle he's played against some record-breaking sides He's had two managers that will go down as two of the best managers that we've seen, one of them the best maybe arguably, in Pep and Jurgen Klopp. So this hasn't been an easy era for him to get his hands on this trophy. I think the one thing that he had when he started this season was if Man City were in a transition year, which helped him and Liverpool had the biggest drop-off after winning the league and spending 500 million you could ever imagine.

27:04So not to take anything away from Arsenal, but I think the manager also the hierarchy the people that run the club the patience that they've had and the division and long term thinking that they've shown in a time like Steve said where there's been a managerial managerial merry-go-round for the last year or so or every year they stuck to their guns and even with a lot of Arsenal fans and I hope they'll be honest who were saying if he doesn't win it this year we've got to get rid we've got to change I don't even like Artair he's this he's that he's won you the league now guys shut the hell up and enjoy it, right?

27:39And I actually believe Arsenal now are in a position where they could dominate for the next two or three years quite easily because all the other people are in rebuild mode. And squad's young enough as well, Rio. Pardon? Squad's young enough as well. Yeah, the recruitment at Arsenal has been great. Like you said, they recruited really well and what they brought into the club was depth. You see some players come out and fall out of the team and you think, oh, Michael, what's going on? Lewis Skelly didn't play all season, but helped finish things off and played a pivotal role in there. You've done this, by the way, on a season when Saka was out injured for a part of the season.

28:20And before that, we would have said, there's no way you get through. If Saka's out, you're done. And your recruitment, I think there's credit in that. And I think Gorka isn't coming for a bit of stick, but I remember when he signed and I was saying, what he will do for you is I think he'll bully the teams that you should beat where I think have been banana skins for you guys. And I think he played a pivotal role, especially against those type of teams where he scored most of his goals. You're right. Yeah, and I think, again, that's to the recruitment team of Mikel Arteta and these guys, just seeing those little problems or little tweaks that he needed to be made and identifying them and then executing around them.

28:57And I think they deservedly win the league. No, I agree. Steve? Steve? Yeah, listen, I think I'd also like to throw in PJMOL because without them I don't think you'd have got over the line. I think rules have been entirely enforced. I mean, I've got to go back to that foul against Tottenham. A joke. I'll go back to West Ham. Joke. You know, that's the sort of thing that keeps West Ham down, man. West Ham West Ham gone down because of PJMOL wanting you lot to win the league. So, take your trophy. Next season when the rules are properly enforced, you'll be lucky to finish sixth. Stop all of that because for many years we've had to deal with 115 charges.

29:39We've dealt with Chelsea with their mad transfers, yeah, that they're still being investigated for, selling training grounds, doing a whole bunch of stuff that we don't even understand, but we know it's illegal. Even the likes of Everton cheating, we've always been squeaky clean. All of a sudden we have a few chances that go our side and now what? What? People want to blame us. Joel, you know what? I think that you guys being pipped the last couple of years to win the league, in time, your players and your manager will go, they were some of the most important moments for this club at this period.

30:15Like, it built resilience, it built character. I think, I saw Odegaard's quotes talking about they had to have some tough conversations between them. I think it would have brought the squad together. And that winning this title now, I think, will taste even sweeter given those experiences. 100 % and if I was any of those players or if I was a manager I would have a picture that kind of really like hones in and tells you and gives you the emotion and brings the emotion back of that moment when you lost the league that's the picture I'd have up in my house you know what I actually did you know when I lived in Manchester the only football picture that I had up in my house was when I played for Leeds and we'd lost in the Champions League semi-final against Valencia, 3-0.

31:09And it was me hunched over with my number and name on the back and in the background was 3-0 Valencia. And that's the only picture that I had up in my house, you know that, from football. But it was one of them really... I look back now and think I just like seeing it because it reminded me of that, the worst feeling that I had and I don't want to go there. So the days where I felt a little bit like training, man, or there's a load of games at the moment, man. Jesus, I'm knackered. Just look at that. That picture would just throw me back straight on track because I don't want to be there again.

31:40What's really interesting about the psychology of that is when I hear about people that really, really achieved stuff, David Beckham had one photo up in his office, supposedly, and it was all of the West Ham fans giving him shit for the game straight after the World Cup in 1998, his first game back. And then you've got Brendan Rodgers with portraits of himself in his house. There's some... It is mad. You tell me. You did it. So why did you do it? And why did David Beckham do it? Why is it that winners go to them moments and think burn them moments in? Brendan Rodgers is a winner, by the way. Yeah, he's also an absolute witch, but let's just not...

32:24No, I don't know. I don't know. I never knew that about it, and no one told me to put it up. It was weird. It was in the paper. I might have been in the... You should post it. I forget what it's called. But I was just... I don't know. I remember saying to someone, I need to get that framed. Because it was actually a good picture, but it was more the meaning of the picture. We were that close. And I was hunched over. Every time my story, it brought me straight back to what that feeling was like. And I think that those players, at Arsenal, they'll have a picture that they could draw upon to bring back those emotions that makes them stay away from them feelings.

33:07They're not going to win everything, but it'll keep them on their toes to make sure they're in contention for everything, I'm telling you. You ever worked with Bill Bezic at United? No, I worked with him in England when Steve McLaren was there, so I know, he was into all that psychology and stuff like that. He's got that phrase, hasn't he, like, you have to train like number two to be number one. Yeah, yeah. It's true, man. Just to finish on what I was saying about Arsenal as well, can you imagine how sweet it must feel and taste for these guys, yeah? All in the Arsenal camp. And the fans that when critics of all they've said about Arsenal, no matter what Arsenal do or say, everyone just goes, you're bottlers, you're bottlers.

33:47You bottled it there and you bottled it here, you bottled it there. You ain't won it for 20-something years. Shut up. And Arsenal fans couldn't really come back. It was always a bit of a shutdown moment. but now that has absolutely changed now given that you guys have won the league like what a feeling that must be for I just think of it as a player when you're walking anywhere they must have been having little shouts from an earshot their bottle drops looking at him walking who's he think he is like that ain't happening now these men are walking anywhere shoulders back chest out head high what now what now yeah and saying talk to me now talk to me nicely do you know what I mean Rio I was at the PFA Awards in August and there was a moment when the Arsenal players were on stage with the Liverpool players and someone read out something about the Arsenal players and I can't remember which Liverpool player but they laughed they laughed hand on heart they laughed and you saw one of the Arsenal players they had your reaction they went what?

34:48and it was almost embarrassing if I'm honest with you I can't remember which Liverpool player it was, but I wasn't there. You do. You're just, you ain't scared to say that. No, no, no, no. No, hand on heart, Rio. I really don't remember. I don't want to say the wrong name. I don't know if it was Kanata. I can't remember. I don't want to get it wrong. But I just remember the Arsenal players' reaction. Like, Declan Rice and Gabriel was pissed. Like, and it was, it was like, wow. And you heard yesterday in the post-match interviews, man, like, people like Bakayo Saka saying, yeah, you know, they're calling us bottlers and, you know, now it's our time.

35:21Now it's our time. they can't say nothing now they said that they can't have Odegaard Martin Odegaard said that you can't ignore what you see on social media you can't ignore it we're in that we're in that type of time so yeah credit to them and I'm really proud of them yeah well done well done to them West Ham got relegated with the highest points total in 15 years is that unlucky or did they deserve to go down? I think I think you end up going down because you weren't one of the three teams that weren't good enough I think at the end of the season as much as we always say oh, the league table doesn't lie when you're top of the league, it'll be the same at the bottom to be honest with you.

35:56I do think that decision in the game that Steve was talking to before is a big decision, but I think you've got to look at it in totality and go do you know what, if we're there, we ain't been good enough, we've got to be honest with ourselves. Mate, West Ham will bounce back, they will, but disappointing to see, man, really disappointed. I mean, could mean that Fernandes is available, slightly cheaper for clubs like United as well, he's a top class talent him. He was in a restaurant in Wilmslow last week. Oh really? Hmm. Okay. Okay. Okay. It'd be a good signing but I think there'd have been a few clubs wishing that West Ham got sent down just to get in for a bit cheaper.

36:37Mm-hmm. If Joe, mate, if I could go and I think Giao Gomez is going at Letico by the sounds of things but if you went and got Giao Gomez and Mateus Fernandes two relegated midfielders I'd be jumping for joy at that, mate. That'd be absolutely mega. Yeah. If United don't get Anderson, who do you want to be the main centre midfield signing? Anderson's my number one. The Premier League factor, there's almost like a possible, I might be getting giddy here, but there's almost like a possible Roy Keane parallel that I'm seeing with him, coming from Forrest and that all-action midfielder. I feel like he's got an extra gear in him that we ain't even seen yet.

37:16I would love to see him in the Champions League. I think you'd see some more out of him with that sort of responsibility.

37:25I really like the idea of Chiuamane. I'm hoping it just goes completely tits up all summer at Real Madrid with the carnage that's been going on there and they're like, yeah, you can go. And I'd bid open arms to bring him to United because I think he would just absolutely sit there, put fires out and go, Kabi Menuh, you go do pretty stuff and make things happen further up the pitch. I'll deal with this. and I think that, with a pedigree he's got, no Premier League experience, don't think it matters. I think he's got the athleticism to be able to handle the Premier League and I think he'd be fantastic.

37:59But outside of that, yeah, I'd go Mateus Fernandes, Gio Gomez. I'd still even, I wouldn't mind having a gander at war on me. No one's going to do what Casemiro did. So you've got to almost like, you've got to almost go from Roy Keane to Michael Carrick, I think. I'm going to finish up with Pep Guardiola I mean obviously he announced that he was leaving during the week and you said you're going to miss him Rio you said you're going to miss him not because of what he's won but obviously what he brings to the league how big are his shoes to fill for Manchester City? Well Joel you asked me how big are his shoes to fill for Manchester City so at Barcelona he reinstated a brand of football that we hadn't seen since giant Cruyff, right?

38:47And he made them out of footballing, like the footballing mecca to be at in terms of the way that football's played. One of the best teams, if not the best club team we've ever seen. Right? Goes to Bayern Munich, changes the way that Germany see football. Not Bayern Munich, Germany. Right? And wins, but doesn't win the Champions League, but wins everything else. Sets new records here and there. Then goes to Man City and takes them to a new planet, right? A new universe to where they've ever been. for the last 10 years and broke all sorts of records in the Premier League and won the Champions League.

39:21And England, at Sunday League, from the top to the bottom of the pyramid, see football and play football differently because of Pep Guardiola. They're the type of shoes and the size of shoes we're having to fill. Mental. Crazy. Mental. Sunday League teams passing it out from the back. Bobbly pitches with dog poo on there and they're trying to go, right, let's all spread and we're going to play along the back line, play goalkeeper, get out on the edge of the box. You're going to create a little overload in there. What the hell? These new terminologies to the game that people never even thought about.

39:58It's crazy, really. But they're the type of shoes you've got to fill, man. Listen, like when Alex Ferguson left. It's impossible. It's almost an impossible job to do. So I think the infrastructure at the football club at Man City will determine it will have a big, big factor in how the new manager goes in there and what he achieves. Steve, is he the greatest Premier League manager ever in history? I'll just leave, don't talk, shall I? I just thought it was worth asking. I thought it was. I don't know, I just thought it was. Steve, explain, explain what you talk about, what's going to work, what don't you like?

40:41Try focusing on, like, the highest spend in about three of his 20 summit seasons in the Premier League, right? He built three, arguably four, teams. People will point to his record in Europe, but you've got to remember, this is not a level playing field. He didn't have an oil nation backing him. He didn't spend ungodly amounts of money that required the international rules of football to be changed. He was competing with the foreigner rule. He was competing with England that had been banned from competing in Europe for five years prior to him then trying to like compete with everything else that had been going on in Europe the Premier League was not the biggest league in the world at the time it was Italy so we had to go and compete with Italy so you're comparing apples and oranges you're not comparing the same sorts of things I'll tell you this though the last person that won the Scottish Premier League was Sir Alex Ferguson but that did so without Rangers or Celtic right it's a record that stood for over 40 years, did so with Aberdeen.

41:41The last time Real Madrid lost in a final was to Aberdeen, like in a European final. What Sir Alex Ferguson did, not just with winning the European Cup with seven homegrown lads, not just with constantly, like look at the people that he competed with in the league. Look at the people that, look at the league in the mid, like he was a dinosaur supposedly when Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger were all in the mixer. He beat them all. And he did so where he wasn't... City and Chelsea... He didn't beat Jose during his time. Yeah, he did. To the league. Yeah, he did. I mean, Jose won it twice when he first came in and then Sir Alex did a little revamp and then slapped him.

42:31Yeah. And then Jose had to go hide. Jose got sacked, mate. I think that's that's 1-0 Fergie but that was when was the when did 2007-8 season that's why when Uncle Avi ended up as Chelsea manager it is mad though you got that was more behind the scenes issues with Abramovich man it wasn't a clear you know but it is it is like mad when you're talking about all those managers like I think you've got like Klopp who I think was like a he bought a heavy metal um football to to Liverpool and kind of like It was a new way of looking at Liverpool, become an absolute cauldron of a place, Anfield, in Europe as well as in the Premier League.

43:14Wenger was the professor who came over and just revolutionised all sorts of off-field stuff in terms of food, preparation, recovery. Just super, super professional. Jose was a mentality monster, really. Somebody who'd come in and just made people for a million dollars and feel like they were men amongst boys. But with like a bit of a conservative approach to football in many ways. And then obviously Sir Alex Ferguson, I think his longevity is one of the things in terms of revamping the squad like three or four times to be dominant in the Premier League and being European champion twice. But also I think the way that he's managed human beings and that consistency and that desire and determination to win just like seeped out of him and was like ridiculous to see.

44:06And I think what Sir Alex and Pep Guardiola, where I think you go really comparable, they were that good, that while doing that job of winning and being consistent and sustaining a high level over all these years, they were churning out people to become managers. You look at the managers that have become managers and done well under Fergie, and then you look at what Pep's doing now, and the ones that he's got might surpass the ones that come under Sir Alex. but you've got like Xabi Alonso you've got Maresca you've got Arteta now a champion you've got Vincent Kompany Luis Enrique PSG was with him there even Erickson Haag was under him at Bayern like there's so many managers that have been out and just become managers but doing it at the top level so again not just great managers but great teachers though too that separates them too from all the others easily Yeah just wanted to add Jose got sacked from Chelsea September 20th, 2007 after a poor start.

45:05So yeah, weren't really much there, was there? Anyway, yeah, that was after he left. Who won the league that year? Was it United? Yeah. Okay, cool. Okay, didn't really challenge him though, did he? Anyway, we're finishing off with the plans for our summer guys. What is going on? The last thing I saw was Rio doing Airbnb adverts and showing off this amazing crib that we're going to be staring at in the World Cup. I phoned Steve and I said, Steve, is this really our gaff? Is this really what's going on? You're down the road in a motel, mate. We're not having you gloating about Arsenal winning. You got 24 hours and I'm going to drown you in the pool.

45:46Yeah, if you mention Arsenal more than five times when we're in that village together, you're getting jumped in that pool or over the bush. But guys, you do know I can't swim, right? Yeah, that's why you're going to go in the pool. You better watch your pools and queues, aren't you? Talk to us, Rio. What's going on? Well, listen, man, we've got loads going on. We've got loads. We've got the Airbnb house. It's in Beverly Hills. It's a joke, right? We've got some fans coming over to take in one of our shows and watch a game with us. We've got loads of shows. We've got loads of stuff. It's going to be a fitness house, by the way.

46:20Previous tournaments, it's been a lot of boozy nights out and a lads on holiday type vibes. We're going to do a bit of that. Don't get me wrong. but Steve has been on a fitness regime and a fitness run that's like on another level crazy amount of mileage running walking cycling etc and we're going to take that we're going to drop that down a notch in that sense we're going to go in the gym we've got a nice gym there and you're going to join in Joel I don't want to hear no injury talk have we actually got a gym in the gaff now because the first time I saw it only had like a couple of singles yeah no no we've got a bench and dumbbells yes it's enough it's what we need so yeah loads of that and they're going to be, listen, we're going to be getting us to all sorts over there.

47:01The activities we're going to be doing, flying about LA, come on, man. Six weeks in LA, crazy. So what? We're going to have to train whilst we're out there? Every day, 5am, mate. Off season, off season is when you, is when you win medals, mate. Off season, that's what we're used to. We're conditioned like that. Listen, Joel, we train hard and we go hard. Yes. That's the rules, right? Yes. That's what we do. I don't know about all of that. Anyway, guys, I'm looking forward to seeing you out there. You have to be a wards night of the day, right? Yeah. When, I don't know if you've realised, but they haven't actually posted my acceptance speech because I was talking absolute broken biscuit.

47:38Right? I still got up and hit a sesh the next day because that's what we do, Joel. Yeah. Right? No matter what. Exactly. No days off. Just keep going, man. Drive through it. Yeah. We'll get back to that. Anyway, guys, listen, I hope you enjoy your bank holiday over here in the UK. It's bank holiday. yeah make sure you keep on watching the channel you guys have been brilliant with us this season man it's it's been a dream man it's been a dream to have the dream team back as well Rio your commitment has been mad it doesn't matter where you've been around the world it's been crazy thank you so much to everybody watching our group chats our social posts we really mean it I know there's a lot of announcements that I've done but you guys are really giving us joy and it's therapeutic in it so a big shout out to you guys thank you so much when you win it yeah yeah I know it's probably even the best season anyway guys thank you very much for watching again joe bayer rio ferdinand steven house signing out peace

49:18Hey, Pablo Torre here. As a sports journalist, I've covered global sports for many years now. and there is one thing that I can promise you. Nothing compares to the World Cup. And this time it is even better thanks to McDonald's. You have the chance to take home one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal. The cups feature some of the biggest legends in football like David Beckham, Terry Henry and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic, Lamin Yamal and Alfonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's only for a limited time while supplies last.

49:54All rights reserved. Copyright 2026. McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026.