These Football Times

Paul Gascoigne's three years at Lazio were nothing but polarising, from the promise and mysticism of the early days to the tragicomedy of the end. Excelling when fit, showcasing his wild talent, but struggling with demons when injured, join the podcast regulars as they speak to Daniel Storey, the author of Gazza in Italy.

In the latest Today's Football Times episode, the team share their thoughts on the current state of the Football League, and discuss the financial issues surrounding clubs at that level. We discuss the structure and any potential changes, salary caps, TV revenue, financial mismanagement and more.

To celebrate the launch of the Olympique de Marseille magazine, made in conjunction with the club and Puma, the podcast team share their thoughts on the club's greatest players, teams and managers, breaking down the highs and lows of the journey to date. 

In the latest Today's Football Times episode, the team share their thoughts on the state of elite European football, its future, and its impact on the game at all levels, as well as FFP and super league proposals. They also discuss the recent rise of İstanbul Başakşehir to become Turkish champions, as well as our guests' soapbox moments.

Robert O'Connor discusses his book Blood and Circuses . Covering the game and how it was affected by the political upheaval in the former Soviet bloc, Robert takes us on a journey through a collection of nations - old, new and those yet to be confirmed -  seeking an identity through football. His odyssey has created an enjoyable and fascinating account, describing parts of Europe lost to mainstrea...

In the second regular Today's Football Times episode, the podcast team share their thoughts on the FA Cup; its decline, its relevance and how it may be revived, as well as reminiscing about the good old days of the cup final. The team also talk Jack Charlton, Liverpool and Tranmere, among others, in a wide-ranging discussion of current football affairs.

Conor Nestor is a UEFA A-licensed coach from Limerick, Ireland. At just 36, he has coached in his native Ireland, the US, Australia, and is currently the head coach of Svay Rieng, a professional team and the current champions of Cambodia. He's a former Development Officer with the Football Association of Ireland and team coach with Limerick's under-19 team.

In a brand new podcast, Today's Football Times, the podcast team go contemporary as they convene once a month to discuss the going on in the sport today. In this episode, they discuss the Premier League's return and the implications surrounding it, including empty stadia, player fitness, relegation and lower leagues, and some long-term changes to the product we’d like to see come out of this unpre...

Ray Power is an experienced and innovative coach, the author of various books who's worked as an academy manager in the UK, Africa and Ireland. He joined host Jon Townsend to delve into the world of player and coach development, sharing unique insights in his philosophy and more. 

This episode of the Centre Circle covers one of the most celebrated football books. Danish Dynamite features the history of the Danish national team that exploded into football’s consciousness in the mid-1980s with stars such as Michael Laudrup, Preben Elkjær and Jesper Olsen. Dressed in that uber-cool shirts, they thrilled and entranced with some magical football. Where did they come from, what c...

Jess Ibrom is a professional coach holding a UEFA and USSF A License with more than  20 years of experience as a high-performance coach, elite youth developer, and coach developer. More than 20 players coached by Jess have gone onto to play elite professional and international football. From the UK and US to Mexico and New Zealand, his roles have been as varied as challenging. He sat down with hos...

Bringing the story right up to date, the sixth and final part of our European Championship series centres on 2012 and 2016, from Spain's version of Mexico 70 at Euro 2012 to the pragmatic, perhaps fortunate, route that Portugal took to glory at Euro 2016. 

Fresh from the success of co-hosted Euro 2000, the 16-nation tournament had finally found its own personality, but the ethos of the winners of 2004 and 2008 couldn't be more different. From the pragmatism and shock of Greece in 2004 to the expansion and awe of Spain in 2008, this is part five of the European Championship series. 

In what might be the best Political Football podcast yet, it's difficult to imagine that any World Cup tournament before or since has been as politically-charged as Argentina 1978. Amid the carnage of a violent military junta, with talks of potential boycotts and campaigns across the world eventually failing to persuade FIFA to change venues, the 1978 World Cup was played out in the most febrile o...

Once an economist with a passion for football, after Rui Marques won two high-profile Fantasy Football competitions, it opened a door into professional scouting with the likes of Sporting Kansas and Legia Warsaw. He discusses his unique journey in the game.

The 1974 World Cup in West Germany was one of the most politically charged tournaments of all. In this episode, Steven Scragg talks through how politics decided the hosts and which stadiums would be used, the iconic confrontation between East and West Germany, competing countries under the heel of dictatorships, the internal politics of squads, and old enmities hanging on from 30 years earlier.

To celebrate the release of the Arsenal magazine, sub-editor and lifelong supporter Will Sharp joined the podcast to discuss Arsenal's place in the game and their history, from the legends of a bygone era through George Graham's success and Arsène Wenger's revolution. 

In part two, Mike Keeney, assistant coach for IFKH of Finland’s Veikkausliiga, joins Jon Townsend to discuss his journey as a professional coach. Mike shares his philosophy and discusses his insights into topics such as coaching education abroad, culture and football, club and international team dynamics, and the importance of continuous learning and mentorship for coaches of all levels.

In 1966, the World Cup arrived in England and, for many, the enduring memories of that tournament revolve around the final, Geoff Hurst, and  Nobby's dancing, but there was far more to '66. Paul McParlan talks us the North Korea paradox, an African boycott, European skulduggery, shady referees, a London-centric emphasis, and the first globally marketed tournament - not forgetting a mention or two...

In part one of a two-part series, Mike Keeney, assistant coach for IFKH of Finland’s Veikkausliiga, joins Jon Townsend to discuss his journey as a professional coach. Mike shares his philosophy and discusses his insights into topics such as coaching education abroad, culture and football, club and international team dynamics, and the importance of continuous learning and mentorship for coaches of...

Basking in sunshine, Euro 96 would prove to be the biggest and best European Championship yet - for four years, anyway. England, Holland and France would cry, while the Czech Republic won the hearts and a defiant Germany secured glory. Four years later, a brilliant edition would end in golden goal glory as a quite superb France, led by Zinedine Zidane, won in the final against a popular Italy. Thi...

In conjunction with the Celtic magazine's release, our senior writers get together to discuss the club's history; from the early pioneers and Lions of Lisbon, to centenary glory, fall, rise again and modern dominance. This is the story of Celtic, a club like no other.

Football isn't just a sport - it's a highly personal life journey for many. An experience shared with loved ones and strangers alike. The Lob speaks to Emma Case, daughter of Liverpool legend Jimmy, about her brilliant brainchild The Red Project, one she hopes will collate the visual and spoken memories of Liverpool supporters for the wider good. 

Flamengo 1980/81: the story behind the rise to continental and global glory of Cláudio Coutinho's Flamengo. Previous state championships paled into insignificance with the rise of a side containing Júnior, Leandro and the great Zico. Their dominance culminated in their first Copa Libertadores title and a comprehensive demolition of Bob Paisley's European champions, Liverpool, in that famous 3-0 In...

For many football fans, the little-known 1938 World Cup is one often shaded in darkness. The last tournament before the Second World War was brimful of political interference, influence and infiltration. In this episode, we review the tournament and, given the ongoing situation in the world at the time, consider how politics' chess game inevitably cast its shadow over the finals.