Leicester Relegated, Ownership Under Fire & Ronaldinho on Netflix

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0:58Alan Shearer:Coming up on today's show We talk a lot And it's used probably too much A must win game But walls away for Tottenham Is a must win game Under Michael they've definitely improved And it looks as if they're going to qualify for Champions League And I guess if they do I'd be for giving them the job I never dreamt for a minute that this squad that Leicester had Should go down It should be a team that's going up That is not really a bottom half championship squad. They're still on Premier League contracts with Premier League salaries. I mean, what the fuck? Went out in the Euros final to penalties.

1:34Do you know what I mean? That's not fear.

1:45Alan Shearer:Hello and welcome to the Rest is Football with Alan Shearer, Michael Richards and me, Gary Lineker. we're going to do a Q &A today chaps we put out a request on social media for questions and as always you came up trumps with lots of them so thank you very much for that Alan how was your golf I know you've just been on the golf course well excuse my language but my golf was shit even after my first tee shot I thought it's not going to go well today duck duck hooked it left managed to find it hacked it out ended up getting a bogey on the first bogey on the second bogey on the third and bogey on the fourth and I was like consistent this is no good do you like to go on the range before you play?

2:31Alan Shearer:not really no do you not? no I saw something today saying it's pointless golfers unless you're professionals going on the range because it's totally different and it struck true to me because I used to be really really good on the range I'd stripe it I'd hit it pure I'd drive it like bang bang straight down first tee duck hook big block into the trees every single time Micah do not start playing golf nope not for me it's frustrating as hell isn't it why though why do you go to drive it's like sure it's just like kicking a ball no well it's warming up it's like it's basically a warm up so you just get a little bit of a feel I mean you know as you get older as well you get a bit stiff in the joints but you try and loosen up but every time just did did my head in Yeah, same.

3:21Alan Shearer:Right, we're going to answer your questions in just a moment. This episode is powered by Fuse Energy. Before we kick off a quick pre-match warm-up from Fuse, a question on the teams and players who make things count. Who has scored the most Premier League goals as a substitute? I know this one. Oh, do you? Oh, my goodness. Well, shall we let Alan go first then? Well, I'm going to go for Jermaine Defoe. He's cheating again. Someone's giving him the answers. Do you think that's the answer then, Mike? That's the correct answer. I knew that because I've seen it start the other week. Call it an honourable draw, but whoever gets the right answer for who's second wins.

4:02It's got to be Chikarita, hasn't it, surely? Al, you going? I'm going Giroud then, yeah. Alan, you are the winner. Hey!

4:11Alan Shearer:The best teams find an edge wherever they can. It should be the same with your energy. Take control of your energy like it's part of your game plan. Sign up at FuseEnergy.com slash football using code FUTBALL, all uppercase, to save on your energy bill. And get the chance to ask us your football question on the pod. Full terms and conditions at FuseEnergy.com. Right, we're going to start with Tony's question who asked about which is the more poorly run club. Manchester United or Chelsea? Well, United looked like they might have picked up a little bit. In terms of what's the context though? Well, that's it.

4:55I mean, one's run differently to the other. You know, it's very difficult to say clubs run poorly. But behind the scenes, I know there's loads of people working really hard. Maybe it's the people who are making the final decisions. You know, maybe you could question that. Because if you actually look at Chelsea's model, in hindsight it's actually a good model if the players do well and I remember with Owls we had a bit of a debate on this I said if they don't do well which has turned out to be for some of the players you've got all these players and a lot of money who you can't shift so it's very difficult but I actually thought there was on to something Chelsea so I don't think that the room that bad in terms of what they're trying to do players wise but it's the decisions around everything else you know which is hindering them a little bit as for Man United I think they've tried to do the right things but then sacking people here there and everywhere bringing in managers you know and not giving them time not giving them the transfer window so I would say similar in all honesty I just think it's been such a bad luck for Man United when they've had to shell out so much on terms of directors of football paying for them sacking them managers paying for them sacking them giving them huge amounts to spend and then sacking staff who have been there for years.

6:19I think that's such a poor look. Actually, on the field, they look like they're improving a little bit

6:23Alan Shearer:and the recent recruitment's been pretty good, I would say. Under Michael, they've definitely improved and it looks as if they're going to qualify for Champions League and I guess if they do, I'd be for giving him the job, not on a long-term basis and they make mistakes as they've done last time, but maybe even give him a one-year deal with different incentives, isn't it, if he hits different targets? I think the question will be with Man United is how do they do once they're balancing league football and Champions League football? Yeah, it's a good point. That's when you'll see because one game a week now, it's easier for them.

6:57Time to recover and they can focus on that one game a week. So that's the advantage that they've had, I would say. That's a good point.

7:05Alan Shearer:I'd throw Spurs into this question as well because bottom three now I mean West Ham drew didn't they the other night so I mean if they'd have won that game I mean we talk don't we we talk a lot and it's used probably too much a must win game but Wolves away for Tottenham is a must win game but you know it's weird with Tottenham because it's actually a really well run football club in terms of a business and what they've done stadium's incredible we were there weren't we Micah for the boxing wow and then you've got one of the best training grounds in world football but we all know with football it's not a business it's a sport and it's what matters most is what happens on the pitch so Newcastle as well when they had different owners and it's always you're absolutely right it's what happens out on the on the pitch is the most thing but I do I do genuinely believe whatever happens at the top of the club always filled us down it's the same as any office or factory or anything like that if it's not right at the top it always comes down to the shop floor which takes me to my team Leicester we've got quite a few questions I'll read out two of them a lot of people have been talking about Leicester I mean hi Gary would love to hear your take on the diabolical downfall of the Foxes and what the three of you think is needed in order for a reset and more stable future for the club That was from Jason C.

8:35Alan Shearer:Jane Jeffs or Jeffes. Why doesn't John Rudkin do the honorable thing and resign? It's the sentence virtually everyone in Leicester wants to ask. And how did it all become so toxic? I'll start with John Rodkin-Jane because I share the view that every fan at Leicester shares. The demise has really been gradual over the last few years, but it's really, you know, since he's become so influential at the football club where he's, you know, pretty much director of football, he basically man-to-man marks top, the owner. I mean, wherever you see them, he's there on his side. He's somehow managed to worm his way up the club.

9:17Alan Shearer:I mean, he's never really, I mean, I think he coached a little bit of the academy at one point, but he's got no background really in football, made a lot of bad decisions. Obviously, I think there's also an important thing to say with Leicester is that it all started to go down to a degree with the helicopter crash and the loss of the father, obviously the chairman at the time, the owner of the football club. And I think the club has suffered because of that. It was a massive blow, both on and off the pitch, obviously, in all sorts of ways. So I think it's important to mention that. But the sudden decline over the last few seasons, and don't forget, this is a team that didn't just win the Premier League at almost 10 years to the day, almost.

10:03Alan Shearer:They won the league. They finished fifth twice in the Premier League after that. They won the FA Cup for the first time in its history. and I think most Leicester fans however depressed we are at the moment I think we'd all agree that if you'd have said 13 years ago this is what's going to happen over the next 13 years you're going to go from League One to the Championship to the Premier League to win the Premier League to win the FA Cup to go to the quarterfinals of the Champions League and then you're going to get relegated then you're going to win the league and go straight back up then you can get relegated again and then you're going to get relegated again to League One I think we'd have all gone yes please so let's try and look on the positive but I don't know from the outside guys I mean it's the same thing isn't it if things are not run properly yeah eventually it happens doesn't it I mean if it's not the same thing but I mean oh my god the fall is incredible isn't it I mean to go to the championship and then to go to the oh to League One I mean wow that's just a warning there's a warning out there for everyone it is and I think I'm very worried about the future of the club and I think because of you know financially I think it's very dangerous and precarious at the moment because what Leicester did, and they made huge error in this, I know that they didn't, when they got relegated, they didn't in the contracts, there wasn't a relegation clause.

11:22Alan Shearer:So Leicester, because they got challenging and they're a victim of their own success, and this is wise because they were right at the top of the Premier League, obviously, and to keep and try and maintain that, well, played in the Champions League and then just missed out in two seasons, but they started to play high wages to keep the players. Remember Arsenal were after Jamie Vardy and in the end we managed to keep him, which was great. And Jamie's wonderful for our football club. But what it's meant, of course, is they're overpaying, overpaying. Then you go down, then you're in trouble. The first season was, you know, we had the parachute payment, came straight back up and we just wriggled.

11:58Alan Shearer:But then again, and then they started, then obviously it's been badly run in terms of getting docked points this season. And I honestly think by the looks of the points tallies now, even without that six points, Leicester would be in the bottom three. So it's a difficult, difficult period, but, you know, hopefully we can turn it around again. But I don't know what they do. I mean, I think most fans just want them to hopefully find a new owner that's got loads of money and has got the best interest of the club at heart. But they're not easy to find, are they? Are you more surprised, Gaz, at the, you know, I talked about experience there with Chelsea, but you've got some experienced players in that squad.

12:35Alan Shearer:I never dreamt for a minute that this squad that Leicester had should go down. It should be a team that's going up. That is not really a bottom half championship squad. Well, I'll read the names. Begovic, Pereira, Lacelles, Westergaard, Thomas. Is he back four? You could see that playing in the Premier League, couldn't you? And doing okay. Skipping midfield. Vatau, who you love. And then the cover to read. Harry Winks who played for England not that long ago. Dakar up front. That's a team that can be at least in the playoffs in the championship. But it just shows you how important, I think, confidence is.

13:13Alan Shearer:They've brought in, obviously, a couple of different managers this season. Neither of them have fared particularly well. And the thing is, if they're going to League One now and some of these players have still got these contracts, then no one's going to be buying them. I mean, that's the worry. I mean, if they're still on Premier League contracts with Premier League salaries, is I mean what the fuck incredible yeah exactly I'm sorry but it's sad though for me I think football wise they can get back if they can if they can handle things financially but I remember 25 years ago when the club went you know into administration I mean I don't know what the situation is with the owner but I fear that might go again let's take a break here because I need a break and then And then when we come back, we'll talk hopefully a bit more positive matters.

14:27Alan Shearer:all the action in every match live. I'm really looking forward to the semifinals this weekend. Bayern are playing Barcelona and Arsenal against Lyon. I'll be cheering on Barcelona. They've got a great side and they've won it a few times as well. It's a fantastic tournament and watching it all play out is going to be edge of your seat stuff. So you know Disney Plus is the one. The UEFA Women's Champions League, every match live, only on Disney+. Find out more at disneyplus.com. This question is brought to you by Fuse Energy, our presenting partners here at The Rest is Football. Each month, Fuse give their customers the chance to send in a question for us to tackle on the show.

15:14Alan Shearer:And today's question is from Sam Egers, who asks, do you think Sir Alex Ferguson's management style would work with today's generation of players? Good question. Yeah, good question. I think very much like great players in the 70s, 80s, 90s, he would adapt to being a great manager now because he would find a way. He went through different eras anyway and managed to still be great and adapt. But I think without doubt, he would have to change because I'm not sure that you can rule by Freya as much as he did then and now. But there's no doubt he'd still be one of the, well, would be the best manager because he'd adapt.

16:01Yes, I'd have to agree. Come on, Fergie. I mean, people don't understand how many top players he had to deal with. Imagine dealing with all those players. I bet tough love's good as well. Some of the players now are a little bit soft. So, yeah, with what he's done in the game, without doubt, he would adapt.

16:21Alan Shearer:1 ,500 games, 895 wins, 38 trophies, 13 Premier Leagues and two Champions Leagues. I think he might be able to adapt a little bit to the modern game. 38, Gaz. 38 trophies. 38 trophies. Incredible. And also, as you quite rightly said, Alan, he's done it in different eras. He probably had three different teams during that period of time. And he was never afraid to let a player go. You know, he sold Beckham and Keane and Stam and Ruud van Nisseroy and lots of others as well. I mean, as a bloke, he was tough. He was hard. He was uncompromising and demanding of his players. And I still think you probably need that to a degree.

17:09Alan Shearer:I think some of the antics that I've heard would probably not be received well in the modern game. But as you quite rightly said, you adapt a little bit. And a leader is a leader. I fell out with him a couple of times in my BBC days, but I never ever lacked respect for the success that he's had. And obviously, it would be interesting. It's a hypothetical question. But if you're that good, you're that good, aren't you? But don't you think a lot of the ex-pros though, they all say if he liked you, he was amazing. And a lot of people talk about the modern day game now and they say, could he adapt tactically?

17:57But look what Zidane's done. He's not known as a master tactician, wins three Champions Leagues in a row. Ancelotti as well, exact same thing. He's not known as a tactician, but he's won the Champions League and what he's done for Real Madrid. So yes, he would be a success.

18:12Alan Shearer:Well, Mourinho as well, isn't he? I mean, I know perhaps not so much in his latter years, he's not been quite as successful, but he was a similar sort of personality probably to Sir Alex. And he's done it in an era that was post-Sir Alex really. And the other thing as well, I think is worth mentioning that he was never afraid of giving young players the opportunity and brought a lot of players through the Manchester United Academy. So I think really the answer is an emphatic yes, he could. And if you want your question answered on the show and you fancy saving on your energy bills, sign up to Fuse Energy at FuseEnergy.com slash football.

18:54Alan Shearer:Just make sure you use the referral code FUTBALL all uppercase. Are you looking for support in your weight management journey? ZepBound Terzepatide may be able to help. Z-Bound is a prescription medicine used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to help adults with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off. Z-Bound is approved as a 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, or 15 milligram injection. Z-Bound contains terzepatide and should not be used with other terzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.

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20:30Alan Shearer:welcome back to the rest is football with alan shearer michael richards and me garylinica answering your questions right where shall we go next um have a bit of positivity please yeah well let's okay it's a question here about a young player it's from loge or loggy l-o-g-e i don't know how you say that would you take rio ungamoa to the world cup as a wild card I mean that's quite a big shout he's only just broken into the Liverpool team but he's very excited but he is a talent but yeah it's come a bit too soon for him I think yeah and the same with the Max Downwards too is this unbelievable young talent they are no I wouldn't take either one their time will come I've no doubt about that hopefully they'll have great futures but not for England this summer no how many in the squad is it 26 is that confirmed Gaz 26 yes so there'll be 23 three plus three goalkeepers, I'd imagine.

21:27Alan Shearer:It's a good question. Yeah, I'd probably just agree. I mean, you could ask the same question about Downman. You could possibly... The only thing is, if... I mean, Spain did it, didn't they, with Laminio Mal? But he played quite a lot of football before that in the first team, I'm saying. So it is slightly different. These boys have only really featured very occasions and also it's not about the pressure I don't think I think you could if we're the big squad take them because you want to just let them feel the experience of what it's like going down but being part of a squad in a World Cup but I'm not sure that's at this point if they played loads and they were absolutely killing it in the Premier League then yes remember when Theo Walcott was taken I spoke to Theo about this at the weekend actually because he was in part of the Premier League when we went to Tampa last weekend and he got asked the question similar sort of thing would he take Max Downward and how can it sort of what experience did he was it a good thing and he said it was like he thought it was amazing like back then but he said looking back clearly he wasn't he wasn't ready to go to a to a World Cup and I feel the same with those two now to protect them for their for their future for everything with that as I said great talents great futures I'm pretty sure they'll have do you know what I'd do I'd bring both of them for the pre-camp before they go to experience life around the first team not to play not to be in the squad but you know because they'll do warm up games because they've got two haven't they in June not even part of not even part of those games but you know in the training be around the camp get a little bit of a feel for it because you know I think that'd be a good idea but not not take them I think it just depends that's it for me it depends who's available because touch wood there always seems to be some sort of niggle or injury before the World Cup well there will be so left side for Ngomoa they got Rashford and Gordon he's going to be competing Rashford and Gordon yeah but right side not as not as I know he likes Madweke and I know he likes Saka Parma can play there if I'm right back when you were talking about for your World Cup they took Walcott instead of Defoe, I believe.

23:57If that's correct, Tate, you'll correct me if I'm wrong. It's a thumbs up over there. So that's different because Defoe's a glorified goal scorer. So that is different. If there's someone who you're not too sure about, they don't know if they're going to get enough minutes and they're just going to be there and they're not really going to be used and you could use that experience. I was always of your opinion. and I think I said that even just a couple of weeks ago, I wouldn't take him. But I'm looking at it and I'm thinking, when Arsenal need something, they're turning to Dalman now. It's not as though they're just bringing him in because he's a young player who needs to make Arteta look good because they're playing a youngster.

24:40It's actually to affect the game and he can affect the game off the bench.

24:46Alan Shearer:If he comes in for the last few games of the season, wins the title for Arsenal and performs magically, then this conversation changes obviously but it's hard to see Arteta trusting him to do that I'd love to see him start and see how he gets on because I think he's fearless and thrilling this leads me on actually to a question from Philip Brack while we're on England what do you make of Capello's comment saying England won't win the World Cup because they are always tired and play with fear I saw that interview you did say that Yeah, I guess because of the weight of not winning it since 66, then I know we've been to semis and been to final, but it's actually the one, the important one, is getting over the line.

25:32And there is going to be fear. There is going to be that worry and everything else that goes with it. But somehow we've got to win one of them and then I think you'll see us go again. I think that's nonsense. What? Capello's... Not your comment. no well I think he's got a in terms of the fear but hold on you've just said these guys don't fear it pressures for tyres and the only went out to do you know what I mean what did I say you did yeah you're right oh okay yeah pressures for tyres and went out in the Euros final to penalties do you know what I mean that's not fear that's just unlucky

26:14Alan Shearer:well he did also state that in that final that England got one ahead and then went, oh, backed off and played defensively. But, you know, different coach, different style. I'm not sure about the fear factor. I mean, you can only speak about when I played, but, you know, you have your thoughts before. But once you walk down that tunnel, let's bring it on, isn't it? For a footballer, I don't know. I think we have fear maybe as maybe broadcasters or fans. Maybe we're... Oh, we all have fear watching. It's much worse watching than playing. I think that's where Gareth done a great job in terms of that, trying to eradicate that fear.

26:54He obviously didn't get over the line, but he did a great job in getting to England to certain positions. But for whatever reason, and there has to be a reason that you can't get over the line. We've been ever so close. And I guess the tired thing, yeah, you can't argue with a tired one, can you, in terms of them?

27:13Alan Shearer:I think that is relevant. I think that is quite hard for players. You sit in the Champions League and the Spanish football is obviously not as physical. They pass it around. A lot of players in other teams will have played in the English Premier League as well. But I don't know. You've just got to find a way at some point, I hope. I want to ask this question because I saw it and there's a question from Didier and I think it's pretty valid. He went, I never hear you talk about Ronaldinho among the best of all time. Is it because of his life outside of football? I personally think that he could be rated as high as R9.