World Cup of Strikers | with Messi, Mbappe and Haaland all strike gold

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0:11What if you had a room where no one interrupts? No notifications. No expectations. Just space to talk. with better help therapy happens in a space that's yours visit better h-e-l-p.com slash random podcast for 10 off your first month of online therapy it's just about halfway through a career he's not even at the end he's 27 years old it's ridiculous really so when you put it that like that this guy's gonna he's gonna eclipse everybody it's just that can he win another trophy another world cup thing is when bapé is look at the players that he has around him in France he will always get opportunities to score goals Aliche set him up about two or three times in the game you've got quality players like that as a striker me as a striker you're praying give them the ball and I'll just be on the shoulder waiting for the movement and you've seen the first goal with the movement great movement that's Robbie Keane movement well yes guys welcome to another episode of Rare Presents we've smashed through another week of this.

1:18You know, this weather. How can we get bored of this? This is a joke. Proper lovely, man. Honestly. Pure tannin, man. Robbie, before we get into this, I mean, this is the second time we're doing the pod right from here from the Airbnb house that we've got here in Beverly Hills in the United States of America. Listen, I can't believe it. We're living the dream, right? But we've had some wonderful stuff going on, man. The host has hooked us up with a chef to come and cook us some food. You came to that, didn't you? Yeah, it was incredible. Thanks for having me. Yeah, man. Medium rare? Yeah, absolutely.

1:45what's better than being out here at the World Cup in the States watching the games having your mates over it was nice to be here pal we have loads of people here a few people cooking for us and that you brought your wife over yeah that was nice I used to just live down the street I know I know it's here so it's nice to be back it was good to have the barbecue see everybody see yourself and the guys and a few other famous faces that was here yeah we don't want to brag you know what I mean we don't have to mention the famous faces well go on then if you want to well it was random right because we were sitting here just chilling having our food chef around Airbnb special and that next thing you know ding dong he walks in James Corden I'm like what's going on no one flinched walked in with two big bottles though yeah didn't disappoint what was the water yeah and and the next thing you know Danny Ramirez Danny Ramirez you know I didn't even know who he was until Tom from production was just like laughing at me because I said how you doing sir you alright what's your name what do you do I was like yeah yeah what'd you do and he well I didn't even think he told me he was really modest he's a cool guy you know what he's a massive football fan as well he just loves football so he's like I met him at the actual training in the LA Galaxy or something yeah I met him at the actual the World Cup draw in Washington we done a little skit together and then we just stayed in contact is this when he was saying have you ever scored against the yeah yeah yeah what did he say something like that yeah no in the World Cup Oh, in the World Cup as well?

3:13All right. A long time ago. We were going to get there, but you took us there. Good. But listen, man, we're here, obviously, we're going to talk about England. But before we get into talking about England, we have a special Irishman here today. This is Mr. Robbie Keane. Okay, you do. Ireland's greatest ever goalscorer, top goalscorer. Do you know what I mean? This is a guy that broke records as a teenager coming to the Premier League. Madness. Do you know what I mean? Then goes to Inter Milan with all the, like, was Ronaldo there when he went there? Yeah, he was. Seedorf. Ronaldo, Seedorf. This is what I'm saying.

3:42How old was you when he went there? 20. 20, yeah. It's just casual. You know what I mean? Then comes back, comes to Leeds. This is how we know each other really well. We actually room together. We'll get onto this later. But the guys gone on and done crazy stuff, played for Liverpool, played for various different teams, smashed goal records, spurs a lot. Obviously, one of our focuses is England this tournament. And obviously, you're an Irishman, but you're a bags man. You know what it's like to score goals and you know what teams need to do to win. What do you think England's chances are? Listen, I think we always speak about it, don't we?

4:11every four years when you guys say it's coming home all the time. To be honest, I haven't heard too much of that, which is probably a good thing. For England, I think England's, the squad that England have, I think it's on par, I would say, with France in terms of the depth. Like, for example, if Saka comes off or Rashford comes off, you've got guys that can come on as just as good. And many teams don't have that apart from France, I would say. So I think you have a great chance. I think you'll definitely get out of the group, which you always do. It just depends when you get to that latter stages, you know, the semi-final or the quarter-final, who do you get?

4:49You need to avoid the big teams, I would say, Portugal and Argentina. Portugal, Argentina and definitely France. Just talking about England and staying on it, our captain, our talisman, our hopes rest on his shoulders, Harry Kane. You've been a player that's just gone in and into a tournament and the kind of the responsibility and the pressures on you to score the goals, to get you as far as you can. What's that like for a player going into a tournament? When I was in the World Cup, I was 21 years of age, so I still had that no fear, you know. I was always confident in what I was going to do. Harry has had the pressure for a long time with England.

5:32And knowing Harry the way I do since he was a kid at Tottenham, nothing fazes him. Nothing fazes him. You see when he plays for England, Bayern Munich, when he's playing the big games, big moments, he steps up, he scores, take penalties. He's no pressure on him at all. So I don't think it phases Harry. My only worry would be with England is that they rely way too much on him. But I think Harry enjoys that. The worry is if something happened to Harry, who's going to step in to help him? But in terms of if Harry stays fit through the whole tournament, I think England have a good chance. you know what I think it's incredible how great of a player he's become I was saying to Rio and Steady the other day he's the one player that I never foresaw becoming this good as a world class player you can be honest this is Rio Presents we don't hide did you see when he was young did you think oh he's going to be as good as he is no not as a kid but what I loved about Harry when he was a kid when we used to do shooting sessions myself and Jermaine Defoe he'd always sit in the bank and watch us at 15, 16 all the time studying yeah and then when I seen him then when I trained with him then a few times with the second team when Tim Sherwood was the coach you could see he had something but there's no way I don't think anyone's seen that he would go this far the good thing about Harry is that as he's getting older he's getting better he's getting better he's developed this game we all know he can score goals but the way he scores now both foot left, right foot headers but it's for me the most impressive thing of all it is that Howe's become almost like a link-up playmaker also.

7:09He can do, he can absolutely do everything. So, he's a nine and a half, ten, nine. So, he can do everything. But there's not many people. We will probably speak about the strikers later on. I don't think anyone in the World Cup can actually do what he can do. He gets the ball outside his D as well sometimes, and mental. Obviously, the game against Croatia, Stee, you're at the edge there, a little bit quiet. I know England's your favourite topic if you're a watcher of the channel what's your start in 11 would you say against Croatia I think there's probably two decisions that he needs to make I think the other nine are probably locked off and I think it's either Stones or Concer so I think probably everyone would be in agreement it's Rhys James probably O 'Reilly at left back Gay is going to start it's who starts alongside him so I think it's Stones or Concer and you're thinking you're going to hold the ball maybe have Stones use him as a playmaker from the back or Konza and deal with Croatia's attack a little bit.

8:09And then midfield, I think it's Anderson, Rice, Bellingham. I'd be shocked if it's anyone else. I'd love it to be copied, but I would be shocked. I think it's going to be those that start. And then I think it's going to be Saka and Kane. And then the other question is, is it Rashford or Gordon? And I think that's the only two question marks that I have in the team. I think otherwise it's going to go exactly like that. and when you look at what Croatia have got, you're looking at Kovacic, who's been injured after season. You're looking at Modric, who I think he's 40 now. And they don't have the destroyer that they had in behind them and look after him like they did eight years ago.

8:44Eight years ago when they played England and beat England. So I think they've not got the tools, they've not got the threats that they had then, but they'll still be organised and they'll still be decent. They'll still be hard work. I think Morgan Rodgers might have more of a sniff for the position with Jude Bellingham from what you read and you hear going around at the moment but yeah I don't think it's going to be much different to what Steve just said there the only thing I would say is that you've got a manager that's not frightened to make decisions so like everybody probably in England and ourselves that played the game would probably go say Bellingham straight away or if you're talking about the season that Rodgers had it's been incredible the impact he had has had that.

9:28Aston Villa has been incredible. Even just from the start and then the last six months, he's just gone on and on. That's why he's in the squad. But the manager's got a decision to make. I would say he's probably going with Bellingham, but I wouldn't be surprised either if he did pick Rodgers because he's got a bit of balls about. Yeah, yeah. I mean, there's a few players who are making tournament debuts as well. You've got the likes of Jed Spence, Morgan Rodgers, as you've said. You know, like, how important is this for them to be cool, calm and collected in this tournament? well it's different I mean obviously we played in tournaments in your first game right about now you're thinking about it as a player and you've got I don't know you've got 24 hours to the game all you're thinking is just get this game here now you're desperate for it to happen your time's going as slow as it's ever been in your life every meal you're eating you're thinking oh my god just get this out of the way let me play I want to play football I want to get out and the guys who are making their debuts in tournaments the biggest thing I think is yes you want to play well but also you want to find out Am I good enough for this level?

10:29Because you've dreamt about it for so long. You've imagined it. You've visualized it. And now we're there. I want to know how far away I am from it. How close am I better than I thought I was? Is this my level? Or actually, I'm way out of my depth. You want to know the answer to those questions. And again, as a footballer, you always want to play at the highest level against the best. And it's a nerve-wracking thing, but nerves are good. Even with the, you know, people have the 11 that they think of. But, you know, every tournament, there's a surprise. So the player that probably thinks that he's not going to get the opportunity to play, he could be the one that could come in.

11:08As long as it's not John Anderson. Most of the games. So that's why you should always, the players who's not playing, be ready for the moment because it takes a second to get the opportunity. As a striker, you're always thinking it takes a second to score a goal. You could come on, walk in, for example, when we came the last time the semi-farm was at our the quarterfarm he scored in the last minute. So, the players who's not playing, don't be too stressed about it because the opportunity could come and that could be the guy who could change everything. A guy who's not playing who I think has been quite a lot of talk about is Jordan Henderson.

11:42What is your view on Jordan Henderson? I actually understand exactly why he's there but for a lot of fans, they're just... Well, there's not many people on this panel that thinks that one over there when you're a manager and your player it's completely different you think about things differently I think about the game differently I watch the game differently now than I did when I was a as a player you can't have for example if you have Cole Parmers you've got the Fodans in there you've got four or five players in the one position that if they don't if they don't play could be difficult around the player I'm not saying they are but they could be because they believe that they can play I think Henderson knows his role I think he understands that he might get an opportunity where he might play 15-20 minutes but the thing is when you're together for three weeks you need players around the squad who's been there who's done it and also when there's always something happens in camp always something you need the senior players maybe they grab a couple of young lads and say listen chill out get back in your box a little bit so you need to you see the guys speaking about him Bellum and Rodgers how highly they speak about him how good he is around the dressing room.

12:51You need them characters around and the manager needs them around as well because I always say, me as a coach, the player should police the dressing room. And if it's a big problem, then it comes to me and it comes to the manager. I think Henderson is that guy. He's the one that sorts things out before he even gets to the manager. So where was you in Saipan sorting things out in the changing room? Oh yeah, me and Damien Duff were kids. We didn't know what was going on. I still can't believe that that Saipan thing is going on like that after Twitter I'm sorry to interrupt you but just for anyone who doesn't know what Saipan means what we're referring to the context is Robbie was in the Republic of Ireland squad when he went to the World Cup and Roy Keane and the then manager Mick McCarthy fell out during the tournament and Roy Keane left the tournament but obviously he was there as a kid this was in 2002 right yeah yeah 2002 yeah me and Duffer kind of a lot of young lads in the squad Clinton Morrison we were just you know ecstatic to be there you know in a World Cup and of course this happened whatever you do don't watch the movie Saipan I'm thinking that's that's what happened because it's absolutely a lot of crap I watched it 20 minutes and I walked out just to make sure clear that you know myself and Damien Duff played at a high level and we were more professional than anyone that movie doesn't give that to the players all the players but listen it was two minutes not even that 90 seconds maybe that Roy and Mick went back at each other and that was it.

14:21Roy left and that was what happened. Because I've been in dressing rooms where we argue with the manager, the players argue. Happens all the time. Happens all the time. I would just say that both of them, I'm sure they're sick of it after, what, 24 years? And they're still talking about it. Every time the World Cup comes up, I'm sure both of them are like, come on, let's move on to this. But also, it takes away the fact in the tournament, how well we did. How many goals did you score? I scored three in four games. We got knocked out by Spain on penalties. So we didn't lose a game in 90 minutes.

14:58And we should actually beat Spain in extra time with a better team. But I think that takes away the fact how well we actually did as a group. But I understand you've got two, you know, Roy, who was a legend, unbelievable player, you know, was privileged to play alongside him. It would have been great to have him there, but it is what it is. that's incredible you didn't lose a game in open play steve obviously you're from manchester etc did you know that it was as quick as it happened or are you like me did you see the dog breaking coming out of his house with the dog and you thought ah this is a movie um i i saw the movie saipan i enjoyed it as a movie and i knew it wasn't this is the gospel of exactly how it all went down because you there was obviously parts that were a little bit hammed up like some of phone calls from Fergie and stuff like that, you'd think that didn't happen.

15:45I don't even think there was a sauna in the hotel. It was a scene, was it? Yeah, there was some parties and all sorts of stuff, yeah. And the massive big picture of his face was it as well, something like that. Yeah, I knew Satipan was a big old bust-up. And obviously, a couple of years later, he had the bust-up with Carlos Kieros and then Sir Alex Ferguson, didn't he? So it's like, as a fan, you're watching it, you go, is this just what you get with Roy Keane? I don't know. I mean I'm with two people I was literally in the rooms when it went off both times so I just think listen he's a passionate guy emotionally he can be emotional and if he thinks something and feels something he's not shy to come forward and say it but not what made him who he was as a player yeah but and he doesn't care if it affects the dynamic in a changing room and I think that's where managers probably have an issue with it and they go the ambience and the environment is more important than any individual so if he's going to affect that then it's not for me that's what a manager would be thinking.

16:42So when you've got two strong heads in that situation, it's going to break, something's got to give. The thing is with Roy is that, you know, he was in the national team way before me when it was kind of, it wasn't as good in terms of professionalism because the finances, et cetera. But as it did get better, but he wanted it at the level where he wanted to man your life, which I understand that. How bad was the pitch at Saipan? Yeah, it was, it wasn't, But the Saipan, the whole thing was a get-together before the World Cup. So it wasn't really a training camp. It was almost a bonding session. Listen, it wasn't great.

17:23Don't get me wrong. And what Roy said is that the grass should be like this, you know. But back then it wasn't. You know, we should have... Should be like this Airbnb test that we've got here. Like this. you should have all the stuff that you need to be a professional football team so Roy did try to change and he did I think is what's happened the consequences that is still going on to this day but it's definitely got better with the national team there's no question the guys there are trying to be always at a high level like the Premier League but back then it wasn't but I understand Roy's perspective and we all wanted that as pledge.

18:08We've now seen France beating Senegal 3-1 in, for me, the most anticipated game that I've been looking forward to for the tournament. And Kili didn't waste any time. Two goals, no messing around. Even their subs, Barcola, come on and does a good job. But focusing on Mbappe, this is his tournament. You said earlier on he's got to have a good tournament because the knives are out. What did you mean by that? Yeah, I just think that he scored 40-something goals the season before last it was got hammered because Real Madrid didn't win the league and the Champions League that's the nature of the beast at that football club scores I think he scores late 30s maybe 40 something goals again this season same thing not happy still murmurs around him as a human being and they're looking for things to hit him with so coming into this tournament I think there was a lot of pressure on him I think there's huge pressure on everyone but when there's a real massive expectancy because of what he's done previously for his club but also as a world cup winner so he comes into this and you I think I could sense relief in that first goal definitely and he just settled down after he looked a bit tense before that for the first half and gets the goal and then all of a sudden you start seeing glimpses and you go okay this could be his world cup again because he's that explosive he's that good that if he if he if it happens and it clicks for him he could take over the world cup and win it almost single-handedly he's that good I think and also he's looking at records and I don't know, you're probably your better place to talk about seeing records and trying to get to them or milestones.

19:38He's sitting there on 14 goals. He's two goals away from equaling the record with Mirosav Kloza as the top goal scorer in World Cup history. That's crazy. He's not even, he's just about halfway through a career. He's not even at the end. He's 27 years old. It's ridiculous, really. So when you put it like that, this guy's going to, he's going to eclipse everybody. It's just that, can he win another trophy, another World Cup? I think when you're a big star and you're one of the best players in the world, you're always going to get criticism. So even though Rio mentioned before about how many goals he scored for Real Madrid, but when you're at a club like Real Madrid and Rio was at Man United, it's about trophies.

20:21It's about winning. And if he didn't win last year, also he had a few injuries, didn't he? He was out for a long time. but the thing is with Mbappe is look at the players that he has around him in France he will always get opportunities to score goals Aliche set him up about two or three times in the game you've got quality players like that as a striker me as a striker you're praying give them the ball and I'll just be on the shoulder waiting for the movement and you've seen the first goal with the movement it's a great movement that's Bobby Keane movement

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22:23yeah listen I was for me I wasn't the quickest in terms of I was sharp over 10-15 yards he's way quicker but even if you're not quick you can still have that little bit of movement get away from people quickly and that first goal was a prime example of that great little movement off the shoulder I'm sure we speak about other strikers in a bit Haaland etc is his first goal as well So that little split movement can kill defenders. He's just gone past Giroud as being his country's top goal scorer in history as well. I mean, if only we had someone on our show that was the country's top goal scorer as well, it'd be great to just have someone like that.

22:57Do you know what I mean? But I look at him and just think like, is he the best player in the world? If you had to pick him or Harry Kane or Haaland, who are you picking? It's a tough one, that. That's a tough one. This is what you do when you come on the show. totally different style of striker. It's amazing actually to be completely different. Yeah. We spoke about Harry earlier on that Harry can do everything I would say. Mbappe is more of a player that over the top but also drifts a lot to the left to the right. Harry is more inside the 18-yard box that can drop deeper to midfield and also even beyond that and pick up the balls also in the number 10 position.

23:38Mbappe can't do that and Haaland is complete opposite on both of them. he's not interested in touching the ball outside in his own half. He just, everything is in between the posts, in between the posts. And you look at his first goal today, prime example of Mbappe. He killed the guy, the defender. And you know this, as a striker, once I can see the defender's name and number, I have you. And that was it. The first goal was perfect. That's, for me, that's a Haaland goal. And the other guys can do something different. You can get the ball from 25 yards, shoot top corner, both feet, Haaland's. inside the postman.

24:14So who are you taking? Politician we've got sitting next to us here. What's going on? No, I'm just giving the perspective of freedom. Listen, if I'm a manager next year, I'll take any of them. You know what? I have to go Harry because I know Harry since he's here and I just love what he does, everything but, I mean, it's a tough... Only Harry because I know. You know, if you're looking for your nine to be the one that's running in behind, you need Haaland. You know, if you've got players like Alise say that I can find balls the way he's, I mean, he was a joke today. Then Mbappe might be the one.

24:47I think it totally depends on what your team is, but I'll take the third pick and it'll probably be all right, to be honest with you. You won't be disappointed, I think. No, absolutely not. I'm doing a show with James Corden, if you haven't seen it, guys, after hours on Fox and Zlatan's in the studio next to me, right? And listen, what a player. What a career he's had. Doesn't mind telling you. Got confidence of 100 men, which is great. And that's probably why he was as great as he was. He said something the other day on air. He said that... Alexey Leila said that Haaland's better than Zlatan.

25:22Which I agreed with, by the way. Do you agree with him? Yeah, I do. I think the better footballer, without doubt, is Zlatan. The footballer. Okay, you need to explain this. Yeah, I think Zlatan's a better footballer. Technically, there's no doubt outside the box. He can do anything. But when I look at my striker, the number one thing I want him to be able to do is score goals. And I think nobody does that better than Haaland in the box. He's just that clinical. You saw the two goals that he scored. Poach has finished, man. That's what you want. I'd rather finish a career with Haaland's career.

25:55And he's only halfway through his career compared to Zlatan's career. That's not to say that Zlatan's had a bad career. It's not to say that. So I think Zlatan won something like 13 league titles on the bounce. Okay, great. Is that because Zlatan scored four goals against England? Is that you're saying that? No, nothing like that. For me, I look at Haaland and I just think the guy's won the treble. I don't know how he didn't win Ballon d 'Or that year anyway. I just think, look at those two goals today. We talk about how good Mbappe is. The only other person, in my opinion, that's going to be the Mbappe-Haaland tournament.

26:27Okay, so Haaland, Mbappe, Kane, who are you taking? Still taking Mbappe. Oh, you changed your tune. Yeah, I'm taking Mbappe overall because he's a better player and he scores the goals. I feel like if you're talking about Zlatan, skillful, he'll give you great moments, good goals, chop kicks and all that. But Haaland, he wins you trophies, man. What are you saying, Steve? Zlatan or Haaland? Zlatan. Not even a question? No. You? Me, I would say all-around player, Zlatan. All-around player. but if we're talking about pure goal scorer it's definitely Haaland but as a player you know me I love players who can do kind of a little bit of everything and Zlatan could do that you see Zlatan's numbers from 30 to the end of his career he's got them Haaland numbers but it's different leagues as well though Steve man like my man's doing it still 90 minutes and 11 men like Haaland's so good that if he bangs in 25 in the prem it's a bad season like come on man who's doing that I think he's so underrated it's ridiculous because he set the bar so high what are we talking about here I think they're both great I'm going to stay in the middle we're talking about strikers it's different completely different again like Haaland is not interested in coming deep and getting on the bar Zlatan did Zlatan can do everything he cannot make someone take two or three people on Haaland's not interested he's more of a powerhouse he's run towards the goal so they're completely I think this is a question when Haaland has finished his career and what he's done and many goals listen he's going to score he's already won he started he started like a train mate it's just opinions isn't it who's what kind of player do you like as a manager you have the choice today Robbie Keane the manager who you go in for I think you go Haaland I think again going back to what you said about what system and what team it is who you run in for if you're playing 4-3-3 and just want one striker it's Haaland because Slater won't do that Slater will drift and he'll come come deep but I still think overall I think as a football player and intelligent wise I think Slater you play a 3-5-2 don't you?

28:37I did last year because I had to okay I was going to ask what's your so that's your preferences for free yeah of course 4-3-3 is my preference yeah but I think like I think your coach has to be adaptable it depends what what players you have and what Paging Ruben Amorim I didn't want to say that but you have to change I was 4-3-3 I won I always played in a 4-4-2 or 4-1 like me and Berbatov as a 10 number 9 but you have to have the personnel like I love wingers I love wingers and get out of people but last year when I was at first we didn't have that we didn't have wingers and we had three we had defenders that played much better in a 3 but if you're asking me now for my next job if I had the opportunity it would be a 4-3-3 or also I like two strikers but a striker who's clever that can drop off and play in that number 10 that can also score you 15, 20 goals.

29:34Old school. You're talking about goal scores. We'll get back to the management in a minute. What do you think about in terms of the strikers, the depth of strikers? Do you think that depth of quality has kind of dropped off in recent years or is it still there? I think it's dropped off. I think also because of the system. So we're talking about systems. We're talking about 4-3-3 now. It's one striker where when we were playing it was always 4-4-2. Andy Cole, York, Van Nistelrooy, Henri Bergkamp, Owen Heskey, me, Berbatov. I mean... Crouch Defoe. Crouch Defoe. I mean, you keep going. Phillips Quinn.

30:12Yeah. I mean, top, like, so I think because of the system change and the way football has gone, it's a lack of number nines, if you like, nine and a half. Why do you think that is? Sorry, what's the difference, though? Explain to the people that are listening or watching. you're a striker what's the difference for a striker when they're playing a two compared to playing in a one for example I don't think I wouldn't be able to play in a 4-3-3 now only if I'd be able to play in the two two sixes say and me as the total number 10 I think managers like to crowd now the midfield so they like to take control of the midfield so if you watch the who so Bellum is a midfielder he plays as a 10 for example Frank Rampard was a midfielder he played as a 10 there wasn't really now there's not many two strikers together so if you see people playing 3-5-2 it's because they have the protection of the three defenders and you can play then you can play two strikers and it depends what situation you want to play if you want one six and two eights so and have that little that box so that's the only way you're going to get two strikers in so I just think now it is a big 4-4-3-3 and taking control in the middle of the pack and also you don't really see now a lot of wingers like England have it to be fair with Rashford and Gordon and go past people if you look at most of the most of the teams in Europe there's not many people that go 1v1 against against someone so it has changed and that's why there's a lack of like a lack of strikers it's mad you're sitting here now you're my ex-roommate we shared so many good memories together and that you just sound like you're banging to this management man you're all over it and I looked at it before we've been speaking anyway and we have it in the group we've got a Leeds group by the way what's that group with Man United what's that group with the little Leeds guys when we were there at our time and it always pops up when anyone's successful or doing anything good and like you've won two leagues and you've won two FA Cups basically in two and a half years on your travels as a manager you're doing an unbelievable job man I realised that you know the lack of opportunities in England there's so many ex-players or coaches that is want to manage in England and it's difficult it is difficult to get in why is that why because there's so many there's so many you've got these people with their laptops coming in that's never played the game which is no problem because you get top managers him over there you've got managers that you know at the high level but they don't all succeed you know so the lack of I would say the lack of opportunity but the thing is about me Rio is that I've travelled since I was 15 years of age so I left Dublin to go to England and played in different countries so for me to get on a flight to somewhere two hours, three hours.

32:56It's no different for me to get a flight from Dublin to London, for example. So, I wanted to go and learn my trade somewhere else. I've been lucky enough that I've been successful. I think that will stand me in good stead going forward. I think as also of you, for example, I went back to England. How many English players will be in the dressing room? So, to learn different cultures So to learn different cultures and different people, I think that's important as a manager to understand because everyone's different where you come from. Yeah, it's true. And I think you have to be, if you want to be successful, go somewhere else and don't be scared to do it.

33:36What about like the different age groups? Because you know, managing players in today's football is definitely different the way you guys were managed. How have you managed to adapt so well to that? Because a lot of people struggle in that area. Yeah, listen, I just think you have to be honest with players. whether you like it or not I think the most important thing is you sit them down and you tell them why they're not playing or what they can improve on and then it's my job as a manager to help them improve yes winning of course you have to win because if you don't win you probably get the sack but ultimately as a manager your job first and foremost is to improve people so when I was Ferenc Farris for example we had Alex Alex Thott who went to Bournemouth for 14 million he was two days away from going on loan to a different team second division team in Hungary and I believed in him and then he played every game for me and he was incredible now he's got his opportunity but helping him sitting down with him develop him speaking to him how can he be better how can he improve I don't care whether you're 18 years of age or 28, 29 years of age you can still improve you can always improve there's always I believe there's about 10, 20 % in somebody if you believe in them and try and help them and give them your knowledge that you've had as a player and certainly for attacking players for example but I love being on the pitch.

34:52Is that where you come alive? Is that what you love most about the management? Yeah, I love it. I love when I see individuals do something special, do something different. That you've worked on? Yeah, and take risks. Take risks. I'm a risk taker. That's why I went abroad. I think I was like that as a player. You know that. I would do something maybe that some of the other players wouldn't do. And I want my players to express themselves. But also, I'm still, I'm not stupid either. I still don't concede goals. so defensively we have to be solid but as soon as we get into the final tour we want players to express themselves I saw you got quite a lot of credit for the way you handled Naby Keita what was going on there?

35:30Yeah Naby was he obviously came in he played for Liverpool he won the Champions League and he did great for me last year but a few problems you know didn't torn up a few times so you have to as a manager you know put your foot down regardless whether you're a young lad or whether you won the Champions League everyone gets treated the same. What is that? Is that like coming in my office or in front of the group? No, no, no. Never in front of the group. It's always an individual. Always, always in the office. If I have something to say, I'll say, I wouldn't do it in front of the group. I would do it as a collective in front of the group, whether that's a team, a team performance, but an individual mistake, for example, and we all make them.

36:12I've got no problem with that. But if you do a couple, two or three times, well, then there's a problem. So after learning your trade, You've travelled around and you've been successful. You've won leagues and you've won cups. What's the ambition now? England? Anywhere in the world? Yeah, listen, I'm very open. Very open. It has to be the right team and it has to be the right people, which I think was the most important. You can pick the team, but if you pick the wrong people, then you could get screwed. I remember when it was a few years ago with your old gaffer, Sir Alex Ferguson, he says, make sure you pick make sure you pick the people don't pick the team as in the club so you could pick a big club for example and you get a few months you look at for example of a senior you picked a massive club in Chelsea but you didn't pick the right people so that can be the difference so I've been very lucky with the two owners that I've had I've been very very fortunate with them and that's that stuck with me what Alex said to me so when I meet people now I almost interview the owners yeah yeah and to see what they say rather than the other way around.

37:18Of course, they have to a little bit, but I kind of find myself asking them a lot of questions and also digging into what have they done over the years in terms of managers? Who have they sacked? Why have they sacked? What's their record like? What's their record like? So I think that's the most important thing. I think like any manager, you always want to, like it was as a player, coach at the highest level. I know that's not going to happen overnight in terms of the top elite team. you would say but I know I'm on the way to do that and I've got time I'm patient enough and I'll just keep going and just waiting for the right opportunity well good luck man you know what it's weird obviously we've known each other for many years and it's like we roomed together when we was at Leeds and it's like I think if we roomed together now it'd be very different to how we roomed together before wouldn't it yeah we'd be asleep at 10 o 'clock it's mad though you know he came up the other day we were having a barbecue and we were talking and we were talking and we were having a couple of beers and you said something that I'd actually forgot about.

38:18Like our ritual the night before our game when we was at Leeds together was, you know you go into a hotel and you get like a mini bottle of wine, like a little half bottle of wine. We'd pop that open and we'd share a little dairy milk, wouldn't we? Yeah. By the way, it was this much wine. We're not recommending that to any young players, by the way. But it was this. But when I was in Italy, for example, they used to do that all the time. That's what I'm saying. You told me that was the right thing to do. Yeah. Because you've been in Italy, you've been traveling, you've been around Ronaldo and Ricoba and all these guys.

38:46did all right me that is quality man listen england focusing on the game i just want to get some predictions before we go i'm going to start off with you steve because i want to get you out the way and i know you don't like england tell us what you think the score is going to be i think brozovic could be a bit of a problem and i think they'll score but i think england will overpower them i think especially with the age of croatia's midfield and the energy that england's midfield has got I think it could be very competitive for half an hour and I think the longer the game goes on the more England will stretch the legs and I think 3-1 England but do you not think with the heat that might help Croatia yeah it slows teams out that's what they're good at someone like Modric this is ideal situation I think because he's so clever so intelligent I've been I played him obviously and if you give him time on the ball he could be in trouble so I mean I would imagine the manager would say get after Modric don't let him dictate the game if you let him dictate the game especially in this heat listen the English-Irish we're not used to this kind of heat it is it's it's difficult it's difficult to run after a few but I would still think England has got the strongest squad I would say probably England but it'll be close Just on Modric what's he so good at?

40:05what's his super strength? You know what Rio this is strange because we when he signed and when he came to Tottenham and we went on pre-season to Spain and he can't he's like this small and he was like skinny and the lads were like first few training sessions he didn't really do much and the lads were like I'm not really sure he looks a bit weak and I remember after four sessions we had a little five-a-side like a tournament he did two or three things in that and I said to the lads he is good watch I'm telling you And then after that, he just went boom. I mean, you know what? What a player, obviously, but what a person.

40:49Incredible, incredible person. But he's so clever. The thing is, you think you can get close to him and then he just moves quickly. He gets around you. And even now, you've seen him last year at the start with AC Milan. He was running the game. He was breaking records. He was dictating the game. So he is just a special player. And what a Chris. to still be playing at 40 years of age in a World Cup and especially in midfield. So we're not talking about a position that you can kind of hide. We're talking about midfield where you have to run around, you have to dominate and that's why if you give him time on the ball, he could kill you.

41:22Just on that players that you played with, when you went to Inter, there was Seedorf, there was Ronaldo, there was Ricoba, there was Vieri, Zanetti. Just give me a little bit about who impressed you when you went there? Who stood out and stuff? Well, they all did because they played at that level. You know, obviously Clarence, you know, you see Clarence, the way he drifts past people. And, you know, he's very, very intelligent. He could do everything. He could bully you in the midfield. He could run past you. He could score goals. Rakoba, we're talking about someone left-footed. He was just like incredible, clever player.

41:59But you see it, you know yourself, when you play at the high level, you see the difference in how they think. That's the difference between the good players and great players. great players are always thinking ahead it's like a snooker player you're always two, three shots ahead of what's happened that's why Modric's the same the ball comes through he knows already what you're going to do and that was the same with Seedorf and Rakova Sinetti was different because he was just a machine he was up there unfortunately I didn't get to play with Ronaldo because he was that's when he was with problems with his knees but he was a great guy we lived I just lived above him he had three floors I only had one but he is Ronaldo though.

42:39But you mentioned Sid off there. Did you room with him? Worst roommate ever. And I heard that you had stories like haircut stories. Yeah. Because at that time we used to stay in the training ground. So we were training in the afternoon. We'd sleep. It was different. You'd train in the morning and have a rest. You'd have lunch, rest, train at five o 'clock. And I wanted a little trim. He goes, I can do a fight. So he gets his clippers out and he did the wrong blade. Oh, don't lie. So I was like, if you see the pictures back, I was actually like Roy Keane back in the day, Baldy. And yeah, so he just got the blade wrong.

43:19So I went down for a snack before we tried. And that's like, what's going on here? You had her a few hours ago. Yeah, but Clarence got her wrong. So yeah, if you ever ask you to cut us here, just say no. Oh my goodness. Quickly, Rio, did we get your predictions for England? No. So I'm going to go for an England 2-0 win. convincing win. Yeah, it might be first 15 minutes feeding each other out. Then I think England, like the lad said, too much pace, power. And for more of an aging Croatia team, I think England left too much. I think this is the time for England to really show their teeth a bit.

43:58Yeah, I'm with Steele. I'll go 3-1. I think he's right. They're aging. And I do think, attacking wise we've got too much for them man like we really do so anyway guys I want to say thank you very much for joining us this has been fantastic I'm baking but in a good way thank you guys I mean like the crib is nice the guests are fantastic and we've got great tournament football coming up anything else you want to say Rio for the guests I'm good man thank you very much love to see you again we're going to go and get some food now absolutely yeah brilliant I'll show you the ropes of Beverly Hills nice thank you very much guys keep on watching and make sure you're following socials There's loads of great interactions going on and stay focused in our group chat as well.

44:36We've got the training sessions happening and there will be more soon. Well, before we go, that's the only thing I want to talk about. We've done one session together, lads. Yeah. I've done five sessions. I don't know how many you lot have done. I've done five sessions and I've done four of them on my own. And I've seen Steve working out. He's got a membership somewhere. I don't know what you're doing. I walked in today and I saw a hell of a lot of food on the table. What, pancakes? Pancakes and everything on this side of the table. it's part of my regiment so either we're with it or we're not so what you say I did the same amount as you guys you've had a career mate don't worry about that hey I'm available for another week oh man listen we'll be training more soon signing out peace

46:00We'll be right back. Selection varies by location.