The Optus Football Podcast

On a very special episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcast, Mark Schwarzer is joined by Matildas and West Ham United star Katrina Gorry, one of the unsung heroes of the Aussies' World Cup charge, discussing: Motherhood, expected motherhood and the unprecedented support from the West Ham club Her national teammates and their bright futures The insane legacy from the Women's World Cup that still...

Mark and Phil are joined by Bridgey who manages to stay awake for the duration of the podcast, despite his battles with jet lag.  The guys ask whether Real Madrid's demolition of Girona means the LALIGA title race is over, whilst the future looks 'really, really grim' for Barcelona. It was also a busy weekend of action in the Premier League as Arsenal backed up their title credentials and Man...

This week Schwarzie and Phil were joined by former Socceroo Tommy Oar to discuss the disappointing end to the Socceroos' Asian Cup campaign, Arsenal turning over Liverpool at the Emirates and ask the question of why Ange's Spurs keep throwing away so many late goals. There was also a big shock in the Women's Super League as West Ham's Matildas defeated Arsenal's Aussies. Meanwhile, Phil gives us t...

It's been a huge weekend of football news in Europe as both Jurgen Klopp and Xavi announce they're leaving their jobs at Liverpool and Barcelona at the end of the season. Schwarzie, Phil and Thomas Sorensen are joined by Oliver Kay from the Athletic to deep-dive into Klopp's decision to step down, where they discuss: How Klopp 'dreaded' another 'unbearable' dip in form Liverpool managing to keep o...

Mark and Phil are joined by European Football Expert Julien Laurens this week to chew the fat over the weekend's football, including: Are Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota underrated? Should Ivan Toney's comeback goal have counted? Is it time for Roy Hodgson to relax on the beach? The return of the WSL from the winter break Which LA LIGA team 'couldn't score in a rainbow'? (We're as confused as you are!...

Mark Schwarzer is joined as always by Phil Kitromilides and this week: former Leeds United striker Michael Bridges, as the guys show fine form sifting through such hot topics as: When did the guys "show 'em what they're missing"? Newcastle and Manchester City play out a spectacular match at St. James' Park. Now that Kevin De Bruyne is back for the Sky Blues, is it now business time - ie City go fu...

Schwarzie and Phil are joined by Thomas Sorensen this week to dissect the devastating news of Sam Kerr's ACL injury, as well as previewing the Socceroos' Asian Cup campagin. The guys catch up on La Liga as Girona continue to impress, whilst Phil also finds the time to tell the story of the time he flew 4,000 miles only to be stood up at a Miami hotel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

Mark and Phil are back after the Christmas break! This week they are Jacob Tanswell from the Athletic to dissect Villa's remarkable Premier League season and look into how Unai Emery has transformed the fortunes of Leon Bailey and John McGinn.  They also discuss how table-toppers Liverpool will cope without AFCON-bound Mo Salah, whether Brentford will let Ivan Toney go to Arsenal, and how muc...

It's Christmas on the Optus Sport Football Podcast, and everyone is getting into the spirit...except for Phil as he plays the part of the Grinch and refuses to wear a Christmas jumper! Mark, Phil and Bridgey look back on a huge year of football as they reflect on the biggest stories of 2023 month by month, as well as telling some festive tales along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Bridgey reinforces his Ange to Manchester City campaign, whilst also berating Erik ten Hag for his tactics against Liverpool. Meanwhile Phil speaks of his admiration for Luka Modric, whilst Schwarzie insists he never scored past him! Also, Sevilla are in turmoil again and is it ever okay to celebrate against your old club? --------------------------- See every match of the Premier League, LALIGA a...

Mark Schwarzer is joined by Phil Kitromilides and Julien Laurens to assess a weekend where Erik Ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino and Xavi all look to be in trouble. The guys also discuss the title chances of Aston Villa and Girona, as well as asking how Phil turned his six year-old son into a football hipster. --------------------------- See every match of the Premier League, LALIGA, European Qualifie...

With Mark Schwarzer once again on some fancy holiday (we assume.. is that wrong?!), Phil Kitromilides is joined by former Leeds United striker Michael Bridges and Jon Mackenzie from Tifo at The Athletic to rip through an insane match between City and Spurs, an inept performance by Manchester United against Newcastle and plenty more: The Real Madrid player who took scissors to his socks Why one of...

With Phil AWOL for the first time this season, Schwarzie is joined by Julien Laurens and Michael Bridges to pay tribute to the late Terry Venables. The gang also discuss: Why Erling Haaland is the 'best Premier League striker we've seen' Why is it all going wrong for Ange and Spurs? Tony Gustavsson's Matildas future Rodrygo replacing Vinicius with ease for Real Madrid Has Sergio Ramos missed more...

Schwarzie visits the Tottenham Hotspur training ground to catch up with fellow Aussies Ange Postecoglou and Mile Jedinak following Spurs' impressive start to the season. Ange speaks about Spurs' incredible start, the challenges they've faced, how he's conveyed his methods to the players so quickly, what it's like working with Mile Jedinak, as well as what the National Second Tier will do for Austr...

Mark and Phil were joined by former Danish international Thomas Sorensen to assess the Socceroos' comfortable win over Bangladesh, as well as plenty of other talking points from the world of football: Serious injuries for LA LIGA's heavyweights A big weekend for Aussies in the WSL Everton's point deduction Premier League team of the season so far The La Liga mascot Olympics! --------- See every ma...

In this bonus episode of the Optus Sport Football Podcast, Schwarzie is at Arsenal's London Colney training ground to see how Matildas Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross are finding the season so far. We also hear from their boss Jonas Eidevall, as well as Scottish international Jen Beattie. There is lots of insightful chat (the World Cup, Arsenal and the quality of the WSL), but Ma...

Mark and Phil are joined by Nick Miller from the Athletic to dissect a barnstormer at Stamford Bridge, as well as discussing: The 'outstanding' Cole Palmer What part of his body did Erling Haaland score with? How is Raheem Sterling not in the England squad? Who is best placed to challenge Manchester City? Manchester City's WSL troubles Girona win again! Xavi under pressure at Barcelona Isco contin...

Mark and Phil are joined by Kelly Somers as she checks in on their FPL teams, whilst also discussing: Arteta and Arsenal's comments on VAR Marcus Rashford parting after derby defeat How badly their pre-season predictions went Emma Hayes leaving Chelsea Can Girona win the league like Leicester did? The strength of LA LIGA this season What happens when Jude Bellingham doesn't score -----------------...

Mark and Phil reflect on a huge weekend of football on Optus Sport after attending both El Clasico and the Manchester derby in the space of 24 hours. The guys also still somehow find time to chat about Ange Postecoglou...again! And some guy called Jude Bellingham also gets a mention or two. --------------------------- See every match of the Premier League, LALIGA, European qualifiers and WSL live...

Mark Schwarzer sits down with his old gaffer Roy Hodgson to reflect on his 47 year managerial career, their time spent at Fulham together and how long he plans to continue as Crystal Palace manager.  They also look ahead to Palace's clash against Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, who Hodgson says has done 'a fantastic job'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Schwarzie, Phil and Michael Bailey from the Athletic are here to bring you all the latest from the world of football, including: The 'extraordinary' life and career of Sir Bobby Charlton Is the Merseyside derby a big derby? Mikel Arteta's goalkeeping dilemma Phil runs out of superlatives for Antoine Griezmann A 17 year-old scores on his Barcelona debut And...ALWAYS WATCH GIRONA We also get our wee...

Schwarzie, Phil and Bridgey are here to bring you all the latest from the international break including: The Socceroos narrow defeat to England at Wembley Is enough funding being given to Australian football? Spain and Scotland are through to the Euros! Norway are struggling. How do they get the best out of Haaland? Can Ronaldo get 1,000 goals in football? We also get our weekly round-up of the WS...

We welcome Miguel Delaney from the Independent onto today's podcast, for a hearty conversation that focuses on: Manchester United and the heroics of Scott McTominay against Brentford - is he underrated? Is he world class? Is he simply a man who stopped Erik ten Hag from being fired for another week? Is André Onana able to pull himself out of the hole he is in, form-wise? Is this new vulnerability...

Mark Schwarzer and Phil Kitromilides are joined by Michael Bridges to have their say on THAT VAR decision, whilst everyone's predictions get out of hand again and the Women's Super League is back! There are also rumours swirling that an Aussie football manager could be heading back to Glasgow very soon... Watch every match of the Premier League, LA LIGA, European qualifiers and WSL live and on-dem...

It's a reaction to derby day weekend on the Optus Sport Football Podcast as we take a look at the clashes in North London and Madrid. Meanwhile are Chelsea in turmoil? And we tell the listeners why they should always watch Girona! Mark Schwarzer is joined by Spanish football expert Phil Kitromilides and ESPN's Senior Football Writer James Olley to dissect the weekend's action in the Premier League...