The Big Interview With Graham Hunter

Hola Big Interview listeners!After their remarkable World Cup group opener with Portugal, Spain's players will be hoping for a quieter evening against Iran - a team coached by Carlos Queiroz. Believe me when I say that getting one over on the former Manchester United assistant will matter to the likes of Gerard Pique.A victory will also mean a lot to Fernando Hierro. I have spent a great deal of time in his company as he settles into the job of Spain manager and, in this podcast, I discuss how Hierro is coping with the role and describe the relationship he is cultivating with the Spanish media.The job of covering La Roja in Russia means that I have not been able to see every game in this tournament, but I did watch England's victory over Tunisia and I also give my views on their team and manager Gareth Southgate.Dasvidanya!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi

Hola Big Interview listeners!Ahead of La Roja's second group match in Russia, I take you into the Spanish camp and give you an insight into the mood of the players, as well as introducing you all once again to Real Madrid's Marco Asensio.I also tackle a question from one our wonderful Socios and discuss the relationship between Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos - two men who are regarded as polar opposites off the pitch, but who unite to make up the heart of this Spanish defence.Stay tuned tomorrow for my preview of Spain's match with Iran.Dasvidanya!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

With the dust settled on a remarkable World Cup opener for Spain, I take a closer look at one of the big characters from that match: Nacho. What makes this born-and-bred Madridista such an important player for both club and country despite almost always being benched when all his team-mates are available? Why have successive Madrid managers refused to trade him up for a more glamorous model? What made him - and not Odriozola - the obvious choice to start against Portugal? What will he make of the return of the player for whom is he so often under-study: Dani Carvajal? And I also dig into the way Diego Costa changed Spain's game and give my verdict on La Decision - Antoine Greizmann's public commitment to Atleti - and what it means for La Liga. Dasvidanya!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners!Oh what a night that was! There was so much to talk about in Portugal's remarkable 3-3 draw with La Roja ... where to begin? Right here, with The Big Interview at the World Cup, that's where.From a dodgy flight to a Fernando Hierro's wrong turn at the stadium, you got the sense that this wasn't going to be Spain's night. And so it proved, with a little help from a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.This was a truly captivating World Cup match and this is my report.Enjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hello Big Interview listeners! To help you warm up for Spain's opening World Cup group match we are bringing you our special mini-doc about one of La Roja's most iconic players: Andres Iniesta.This next hour and a bit is the story of the man, and the player; his role in this remarkable era for Spain and FC Barcelona; the memories he has left us with.You'll hear a host of voices on this one, Big Interview guests such as David Moyes and Gordon Strachan, and journalists who have tracked this remarkable story in Spain.We first produced this episode for our Socios - it was just one of several of several podcasts we produced patreon.com/grahamhunterWith Graham hard at work in Sochi with the Spain team today we will be back tomorrow with an in-depth analysis of their game with Portugal.See you then! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Call that an emergency? THIS is an emergency!On the eve of the World Cup, Spain sack their coach, Julen Lopetegui and replace him with Fernando Hierro.In this podcast, Graham walks us through a crazy 48 hours in Krasnodar - how and why it happened, and what it might mean for Spain as they prepare for the Group B opener against Portugal tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

We were in the middle of recording a podcast about Spain's World Cup opener against Portugal when news broke that Real Madrid and the Spanish federation had agreed terms for the move of Julen Lopetegui to the European Champions after the World Cup.Here's Graham's take on how the news broke, what it might mean for Spain in Russia, and everything you need to know about the man who will replace Zidane.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners!I asked our Socios to give me their questions about this World Cup and, boy, did they deliver.In the latest of these (almost) daily podcasts on location in Russia I answer some of those in a special Socio Q&A, giving my views on established stars like Lionel Messi, potential breakthrough talents, and, of course, Spain.You'll get my thoughts on La Roja and, if listen carefully, you'll even hear the players themselves as the Spain squad passes by during this recording.Dasvidaniya!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners ... or should that be Zdravstvuj?This is the first of what will be (almost) daily podcasts recorded on location at the World Cup here in Russia. Are you excited for the tournament to get under way? I know I am.Right now I am in Krasnodar, a town in the south west of the country which will soon become the training base for Spain.In this episode I explain why Ramos, Iniesta et al chose to come here and what they can expect when they arrive. I will also reveal why it is so important to pick the right base at a tournament, and the ways in which these Spain players have made themselves at home in the past.Enjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

In 2013, Graham book Spain: The Inside Story of La Roja's Historic Treble was released. Graham had behind-the-scenes access at all three tournaments and used his incredible insight to tell the story of the greatest achievement in the history of international football. This is Graham's conversation with Neil White, co-founder of BackPage who published the book and believes it is the best title his company have released.To take advantage of a special offer to buy the book direct from BackPage, listen out for the offer code at the end of the show.Enjoy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Zinedine Zidane has announced that he is stepping down as the manager of Real Madrid.After winning the Champions League three times in a row, the Frenchman has decided that the time is right to leave the Bernabeu.So, what does this mean for Zidane? What does this mean for Madrid and the team he leaves behind?And why does Zidane regard his league title win in 2017 - and not his trio of European Cup triumphs - as the highlight of his reign?I ask all all of these questions here and say, au revoir, Zizou ...Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hello Big Interview listeners!You are about to listen to an extract from the Big Interview with David Weir. In this clip David describes some of the big characters he played alongside at Everton, beginning with two shrinking violets: Duncan Ferguson and Thomas Gravesen.You will also hear about other top Toffees Kevin Kilbane - a former guest on the show - Tim Cahill and Mikael Arteta, before David reveals what it was like to be on the wrong side of Archie Knox, the bad cop to Walter Smith’s … fellow bad cop.This episode is available in full and ad-free at patreon.com/grahamhunter. Sign up now and you will unlock our full archive of Big Interviews with the likes of Kilbane, Sir Les Ferdinand and Troy Deeney, while you will also be helping us to continue producing the content you loveEnjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola Big Interview Listeners!On the eve of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, we dug out a classic Big Interview from our archive.Imagine you're a player or a coach and it's 24 hours before your first Champions League final - what do you do? How are you feeling? How do you soak up the occasion? Paul Clement breaks down what it was like when he was assistant to Carlo Ancelotti in 2014, when Madrid sealed a dramatic triumph over city rivals Atleti in the final.Listen out for his explanation of what it felt like to look down the tunnel, and how Cristiano Ronaldo was able to help reassure the coach before they stepped out into the stadium.From the tunnel to the last, dramatic moments of that match, Paul takes you into the electric tension of a Champions League final.Listen and enjoy.Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.s

Ander Herrera describes the 2004 Copa del Rey final as "one of the greatest nights of my life". That reaction to being in Barcelona to watch his team, Real Zaragoza, beat the Galacticos of Real Madrid tells you a lot about this brilliant midfielder: he's a football fan who understands other football fans. This interview - one of my favourites in this series - is going to leave youin no doubt about how that love of the game influences the player he is and the choices he makes.Listen here for tales of Spanish, European, English and international cup finals. And a look ahead to another, at Wembley, coming very soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners!FC Barcelona have won the title already, but there will be no lack of drama when they face arch rivals Real Madrid on Sunday night. Not by a long shot.There will be scrutiny on both teams from the get-go, with Madrid refusing flatly to offer their triumphant visitors a Pasillo, a guard of honour. This has been a debate which has been running for a while and it will be point of contention even after the game, no matter the result.I give you my views on the subject in this special episode of the Big Inside View, while I will also discuss the political friction which hangs over the match and the potential for Barca to continue their invincibility in the league this season.Enjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hello there!Mission accomplished: on Sunday, FC Barcelona achieved what they set out to do and won the league and cup double, clinching the La Liga trophy with a 4-2 victory over Deportivo.The sight of Real Madrid winning the title had stung and these Barca players used that to spur them on this season. They may yet complete the league season unbeaten, and what a remarkable achievement that would be.In this special podcast, I will give you my opinion on what this title win means; where it ranks in comparison to previous FC Barcelona league triumphs; as well as the players and matches that have been key to delivering the trophy to the Camp Nou this season.You will hear my views on Neymar, Andres Iniesta and the successful, crucial working relationship which manager Ernesto Valverde has developed with Lionel Messi.Enjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revi

Hello there!Today is Father’s Day… on The Big Interview, at least. Yes, our latest clip show is dedicated to the men who mean the most to many of our guests from Season Two, who kept them on the straight and narrow, and who shared in their football successes.We begin with Mark Noble, the West Ham captain who phones his dad every morning on the way to training just to talk football. It is during those very chats that Mark is often reminded how lucky he is to play for the team he supported as a boy.Jonny Evans and Peter Crouch also grew up with parental guidance, with Peter’s dad going the extra mile by introducing his son to the Coerver Method, while Steve McManaman revels in cherished childhood memories of going to matches with his dad.Chris Sutton and Alex McLeish both recall that their fathers favoured the tough love approach. And Benni McCarthy admits that he might have joined one of the deadly gangs he grew up around in South Africa, had it not been for the fear of what his dad would do to him if he did.B

Hello Big Interview listeners!Here is a little piece of my chat with Watford captain Troy Deeney, in which he describes what it's like to play against formidable Premier League defenders John Stones, John Terry and Virgil van Dijk. He also explains why he believes that the Liverpool man is the best of the lot.And Troy offers a few tips on how to play centre forward, as well as revealing the lessons he learned from Gianfranco Zola and the seven steps he took - literally - to become one of the best finishers in England.But this is only a taste of my Big Interview with Troy. For the full, hour-long episode go to patreon.com/grahamhunter and subscribe to become a Socio.Not only will you gain instant access to my chat with the Watford captain but you will also unlock an archive of over 50 Big interviews and special episodes, as well as helping to ensure that we can continue to bring you the content that you love.Thank you and enjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a publi

Hola!My goodness, what a week it has been in the Champions League. We've had high drama and even higher blood pressure - I'm looking at you, Gigi.So let's get right into it. If you listened to my preview podcast then you will know that I told you how utterly exhausted these FC Barcelona players were, and boy did it show in Rome.And then there were the scenes in Madrid. Ronaldo struck the decisive goal - of course he did - but what did you make of Buffon's reaction? I give my views here.Enjoy!Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Well, well, well. What a truly incredible week this was in the Champions League. We witnessed incredible stories unfold, drama, intrigue and a truly remarkable goal which earned rare acclaim from opposing fans.What a moment that was.I'll talk about Ronaldo's spectacular goal in Turin in this special episode of the Big Inside View, as well as offering my insight into what happened in the other quarter-final ties.There is so much to say, so let's started, shall we?Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com