Football Daily

Guillem Balagué, a veteran football journalist, joins Julien Laurens, a French football expert, James Horncastle, an analyst on Italian football, and Rafa Honigstein, a Germany specialist, to dissect Real Madrid's dramatic sacking of Xabi Alonso. They explore potential managerial replacements, including Jurgen Klopp's fit with the club. The conversation also touches on Paris FC's stunning defeat of PSG, Marseille's ambitions under Roberto De Zerbi, and the Serie A title race with Napoli and Inter, all culminating in a preview of the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco.

Rob Green, a former England goalkeeper known for his insights on goalkeeping errors, joins Matt Upson, a former Arsenal defender, to unpack Arsenal's thrilling 3-2 victory over Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final. The duo analyzes Robert Sanchez's costly mistakes and tactical shifts in the match. They also debate whether Viktor Gyokeres can rise to the occasion for Arsenal’s squad. Meanwhile, excitement brews for the upcoming AFCON final, featuring a stunning performance by Senegal's Sadio Mané.

Johnnie Jackson, the current Wimbledon manager and former professional midfielder, shares insights into Wimbledon’s season, emphasizing the unique challenges of managing a fan-owned club in League One. He reflects on Exeter City’s shocking 10-1 FA Cup defeat and debates whether it should be deemed an outlier. The conversation also covers the recent managerial changes in the Championship, especially evaluating Eric Ramsay at West Brom and Matt Bloomfield at Oxford. Additionally, they analyze Shrewsbury Town's struggles, highlighting key issues in their performance.

Simon Stone, a BBC Sport Manchester United reporter, shares insights on Michael Carrick's appointment as interim head coach, discussing its implications for the club's strategy. Dwight Gayle, a former Newcastle forward, analyzes Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Newcastle, highlighting key moments and VAR controversies. Pat Nevin, a former Scotland winger, provides tactical analysis of both teams, praising standout performances. The guests also debate if Carrick's role is an audition or a temporary fix as they preview the Chelsea-Arsenal clash.

Sam Heathcote, a Macclesfield defender and primary school PE teacher, shares the excitement of his team hosting Brentford in the FA Cup. Jobi McAnuff and Dion Dublin dive into Manchester United's struggles with leadership and interim management as Michael Carrick steps in. Guillem Balagué discusses Xabi Alonso's unexpected exit from Real Madrid and what it means for the club's future. Meanwhile, Liverpool's emphatic 4-1 victory over Barnsley is unpacked, highlighting both their triumphant moments and areas needing improvement.

Andy Cole, a former striker and two-time FA Cup winner, teams up with Luke Edwards, a Telegraph football writer, to reflect on a thrilling FA Cup weekend. They celebrate Macclesfield's stunning upset over Crystal Palace and discuss its impact on the club's revival. The duo debates if Wrexham's victory over Nottingham Forest was a true surprise and analyzes the managerial shakeup at Manchester United, including Oliver Glasner's potential candidacy. They also touch on Chelsea's fresh start under Liam Rosenior and the pressure mounting on Tottenham’s Thomas Frank.

Yaya Touré, a legendary midfielder for Barcelona and Manchester City, shares his inspiring journey from a disciplined childhood in the Ivory Coast to European stardom. He details the challenges he faced moving to Europe at 17 and the sibling rivalry with his brother Kolo, highlighting their contrasting strengths. Now pursuing coaching, Yaya describes how the boredom post-retirement sparked his ambition to win trophies as a coach, while crediting mentors like Rijkaard and Mancini for shaping his football understanding.

The hosts dive into the FA Cup schedule, sparking debate over free-to-air match accessibility. They discuss the surprising managerial changes of Amorim and Maresca, highlighting the pressures of the football world. Eager for laughs, they share humorous unintended pub and film names inspired by sports commentary. Adding to the fun, they explore phrases for their Great Glossary and engage in a rapid-fire quiz showdown. Tune in for some witty banter and a fresh take on the beautiful game!

Rachel Corsie, a tactical expert and Scottish international footballer, joins former footballer Michael Brown, goalkeeper Shay Given, and Danish legend Peter Schmeichel for a lively discussion. They dive into Antoine Semenyo's thrilling stoppage-time winner for Bournemouth and his potential move to Manchester City. The panel also analyzes Newcastle's record-breaking late goal and the implications of City's draw with Brighton. Insights on Brentford's rise and Manchester United's challenges add spice to the conversation!

Sean Morrison, former Cardiff City captain turned media personality and coach, shares insights on the EFL landscape. He discusses the sacking of Ryan Mason at West Brom and explores Oxford United's managerial search. Wrexham's impressive form and Cardiff's rise in League One get the spotlight, along with Coventry's recent struggles. They also analyze potential relegation fights in League Two and share exciting FA Cup predictions, all while compiling an Ultimate EFL Hardman XI that brings nostalgia and humor to the conversation.