The Big Interview With Graham Hunter

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Thomas Hitzlsperger from season two.Thomas helped me with a German perspective on the final of Euro 2008 when I was writing my book on Spain's trophy treble, but you're about to find out how much I didn't know about Der Hammer. In part one, we hear about how the midfielder was forged, and the incredible story of how he left FC Hollywood-era Bayern Munich to join Aston Villa.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Pablo Zabaleta, who recalls a shy, skinny Lionel Messi in the Argentina Under-20s dressing room… then he did his talking on the pitch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Micah Richards, who speaks about Manchester City’s 2011/2012 Premier League title win, and the adoration he had for the sometimes difficult man manager Roberto Mancini.Listen to the original full episode:Micah Richards: Mancini, Mario and Me - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with the sadly missed Gianluca Vialli from season two.In part two, Luca reflects on the culture of fitness and desire which drove Juventus to Champions League success in 1996, and what it means to represent the club. He talks passionately about his time with Chelsea, both as a player and manager. Listen out for anecdotes on Ranieri, Di Canio, Lippi and Ferguson.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with the sadly missed Gianluca Vialli from season two.In part one, Luca goes into depth about his unforgettable spell with Sampdoria at the start of his career – where he won Serie A for the only time in the club’s history, picked up the European Cup Winners’ Cup against Anderlecht and lost to Cruyff’s Barcelona ‘Dream Team’ in the 1992 European Cup final. Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from stand-up star Kevin Bridges, who describes his adoration for Henrik Larsson, and how as a youngster he managed to ruin the super Swede’s jeans. Listen to the original full episode:Classic Big Interview: Kevin Bridges, The Return - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders, who tells us how Jurgen Klopp and his coaches instil the players’ inner voice in training, allowing them to react to onfield events with remarkable dynamism and flexibility.Listen to the original full episodes:Pep Lijnders: Klopp and the Reds’ Revolution - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastPep Lijnders: Porto’s Fountain of Youth - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Kevin Kilbane, who recalls the infamous Saipan incident during the 2002 World Cup. Had Roy Keane not been fired from the squad, Kev reckons Ireland could have gone all the way to the final.Listen to the original episode:Kevin Kilbane: Rui, Roy and Figo's Magic Feet - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Paul Clement from season one.To get somebody breaking down what matchday is like at an extraordinary level of sport is rare, but that’s what you get here in part two. The tactical presentation that gave Paul palpitations; the reason they can’t leave the hotel as a team; the Ronaldo effect in the tunnel before the game; the staggered nature of the celebrations – and why, at Madrid, they never last too long.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from David Moyes, who talks about nurturing the raw talent of Declan Rice at West Ham.Listen to the original full episodes:David Moyes: 'I thought it was my last chance - it was time to gamble' - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastDavid Moyes: 'When Rice goes to England, I tell him to watch Harry Kane' - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Alex McLeish, who explains how he nearly signed a young Andrés Iniesta on loan when manager of Rangers.Listen to the original full episodes: Alex McLeish Live Part One: Barca, Bayern and Barnum & Bailey - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Alex McLeish Live Part Two: Messi, Iniesta And The Search For A Loan Ranger - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Alex McLeish Live Part Three: The Q & A - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Paul Clement from season one.Season 2013/14 was a special one for Real Madrid. It was the season of La Decima, their 10th European crown. Paul, assistant to Carlo Ancelotti, saw it all. And this is his account. From a fastidious breakdown of a typical day on the training ground with Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane and Fernando Hierro, through the positional alterations and squad characters that lifted the team at crucial times. Enjoy part one of a fascinating conversation.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Domènec Torrent, who was one of Pep Guardiola’s trusted lieutenants at Barcelona. They endured a sticky start but the golden era soon dawned.Listen to the original full episodes:Domènec Torrent: Rising with Pep - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastDomènec Torrent: Robben, Ribéry and Raheem - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Chrissy Waddle, who tells us about Paul Gascoigne’s enormous capacity for mischief.Listen to the original full episode:Chris Waddle: The Entertainer - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Terry Gibson, who tells us about how Sir Alex Ferguson’s arrival at Manchester United was the new broom Old Trafford needed after the lax regime of Ron Atkinson. Listen to the original full episodes: Terry Gibson: Bad Days with Big Ron and Falling Out with Fergie - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Terry Gibson: How the Crazy Gang won the FA Cup - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Michael O’Neill from season one.In part two, we hear about how Michael’s playing career influenced his management vocation. There was a sense of underachievement from his playing days, a sense that he had needed to be better managed. Dundee United’s legendary boss Jim McLean was certainly a genius and ahead of his time, but altogether too harsh. For example, Michael was cast aside for seven months over a contract dispute. Also: Luis Suarez, Snow Patrol and Windsor Park.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Michael O’Neill from season one.In part one, Michael breaks down in fascinating detail the way he had shaped and guided a Northern Ireland squad to the phenomenal achievement of qualification for Euro 2016. We get great insights into his man management approach, and his hopes for Kyle Lafferty being the player of the tournament.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Charlie Nicholas, who recalls playing against Johan Cruyff when Celtic knocked Ajax out of the European Cup in 1982, and getting his hands on the great man’s jersey.Listen to the original full episodes: Classic Big Interview: Charlie Nicholas Part One - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Classic Big Interview: Charlie Nicholas Part Two - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s story comes from Simon Stainrod, who recalls playing against the mighty Eric Cantona in France and predicting that Leeds boss Howard Wilkinson wouldn’t like him, and that he would be better off playing for someone like Alex Ferguson.Listen to the original full episode:Simon Stainrod: Last of the Bullfighters - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Joe Jordan from season one.Joe’s diving header against a brilliant Czechoslovakia side helped Scotland qualify for the 1974 World Cup finals, where the Scots were unbeaten but went out on goal difference. In part two, we also hear about Joe’s adventures at Argentina ’78 and Spain ’82. And he talks passionately about his immersion in Italian football, first with AC Milan – where he became a cult hero.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.