The Rest Is Football
Goalhanger
Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards discuss football's biggest stories.From last-minute winners to transfer sagas, fantasy football gems, and the drama behind the scenes.With strong opinions, brilliant chemistry, and decades of Premier League experience, The Rest Is Football serves up three episodes every week packed with insights, dressing-room stories, and proper laughs.Whether it’s VAR controversies, title races, European nights, or England’s hopes in international tournaments, no topic is off the table. It's the essential podcast for football fans.For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
29 snips
Dec 29, 2025 • 44min
Villa’s Incredible Run Continues, Man City Pile On The Points Not Kilos & Brentford Defying The Odds
Unai Emery's tactical brilliance earns Aston Villa a stunning victory at Chelsea. Rayan Cherki sparks Manchester City's impressive winning streak. Brentford impresses with effective tactics despite key player absences. The hosts debate Arsenal's recent narrow victories and their implications. Discussions also include the need for Chelsea to strengthen their squad and Erik ten Hag's tactical adjustments at Manchester United. Meanwhile, Leeds gains momentum and young talents like Florian Wirtz are highlighted for their potential.
Dec 25, 2025 • 1min
Merry Christmas!
Gary expresses heartfelt thanks to listeners for their support this season. He reflects on the thrilling Premier League title race and the drama among relegated clubs. Exciting plans for 2026, including World Cup coverage, are teased, with a special Netflix presence during the tournament from New York. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, he emphasizes the joy of the season and the fun ahead in football.
Dec 23, 2025 • 38min
Mbappe vs Ronaldo
Kylian Mbappé celebrated his birthday by matching Cristiano Ronaldo's record for goals in a calendar year, sparking a debate on who is the better player at 27. Barcelona is on an impressive winning streak, leaving many to wonder if any team can challenge their form. The hosts also highlight the contrasting styles of Real Madrid and Barcelona, discussing the impact of individual talents like Jude Bellingham and Rafinha. Additionally, they explore Atletico Madrid's resurgence and potential transfer moves, rounding out a thrilling overview of La Liga.
35 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 58min
Arsenal Top At Christmas, Rogers On A Rampage & Referees Under Fire
Arsenal holds the top spot in the Premier League, but Manchester City's resurgence raises questions about the title race. Morgan Rogers shines for Aston Villa, showcasing their impressive winning streak. The hosts dive into the ongoing controversy surrounding refereeing standards, debating whether VAR has contributed to the decline in decision-making quality. Other highlights include discussions on Newcastle's missed penalty and Liverpool's tactical performances, as well as a look at the youth talent emerging from clubs like Manchester United.
11 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 38min
Quiz: Champions League Top Goalscorers
In a thrilling quiz, the hosts dive into the Champions League's top goalscorers. Alan names Cristiano Ronaldo as the all-time leader, while Messi takes second place. Surprising inclusions shake things up, with players like Haaland and Müller making the list. The discussion heats up with near-misses, including Thierry Henry and Ibrahimović, who fall outside the top ten. A scoring error leads to a sudden-death round, resulting in a fast-paced naming spree of top players. Tune in for trivia, rants, and plenty of surprises!
6 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 32min
Player Ultimatums, Superstitions & Fantasy Football Standings
The hosts tackle the tense atmosphere in dressing rooms when players issue ultimatums for transfers. They reflect on their own quirky superstitions during goal droughts and how these beliefs impact their gameplay. The trio also compares their Fantasy Football standings, revealing competitive banter and insights into their performances. Additionally, they ponder the extent of club loyalties and whether money could sway them to rival teams. Light-hearted moments include debates on biscuits and discussions about memorable football audio clips.
Dec 16, 2025 • 33min
Bellingham’s Best Position, Raphinha Back With A Bang & Griezmann’s Brilliant Winner
Real Madrid is under pressure as questions arise about Jude Bellingham’s positioning and Xabi Alonso's tactics after a tight win at Alavés. Meanwhile, Raphinha made a stunning comeback, scoring twice to keep Barcelona thriving in La Liga. Antoine Griezmann’s impressive late winner keeps Atlético Madrid competitive in the title race. Additionally, discussions about squad harmony, potential title challengers, and important managerial movements round out this engaging analysis of the latest football drama.
17 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 54min
Derby Delight For Sunderland, City Are Back & Maresca Vs The Owners
Sunderland's thrilling derby victory over Newcastle raises questions about Eddie Howe's tactical struggles. Manchester City appears to be recovering, thanks in part to Phil Foden's impressive form. Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca's cryptic remarks hint at discord with ownership. The hosts also dive into Arsenal's dependency on Bukayo Saka for creativity and examine Nottingham Forest's unexpected win, alongside Tottenham's costly errors. Plus, a spotlight on Harry Kane's scoring prowess in Germany and young talent Abdul Fatahou's stunning goal.
23 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 41min
Man City Heap Pressure On Real Madrid, Madueke’s Screamer & Slot’s Big Win
Man City pulls off a stunning comeback against Real Madrid, leaving Xabi Alonso's future in question. Arsenal shines with a perfect start, highlighted by Noni Madueke's spectacular goal—did he mean it? Liverpool secures a vital win against Inter Milan amidst tackle controversies involving Mo Salah. The discussion includes Newcastle's recent struggles and the tactical challenges Alonso faces at Madrid. Plus, there are insights on Mason Greenwood's resurgence at Marseille and exciting Champions League highlights from the week.
20 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 49min
ERLING HAALAND: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Erling Haaland, the prolific Norwegian striker for Manchester City, shares insights on his record-breaking journey to 100 Premier League goals. He reveals the motivation behind his fiery start this season and discusses the challenges of adapting to the Premier League's physicality. Haaland opens up about his striker mentality, constantly seeking more goals while managing criticism. He also talks about launching his YouTube channel to showcase life beyond football and the influence of his family's sporting background.
