Explore every episode of the podcast Sacked in the Morning
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Dixon on imposter syndrome | 13 Nov 2024 | 00:49:57 | |
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon talks imposter syndrome, fighting Dennis Bergkamp and Arsene Wenger's new windows. | |||
| Jason McAteer on regrets | 06 Nov 2024 | 00:41:58 | |
Liverpool and Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer talks first loves, regrets and turning down Kenny Dalglish. | |||
| Steven Caulker - "I hit rock bottom 1000 times" | 21 May 2024 | 00:48:12 | |
The former Tottenham player joins Craig and Amy to discuss his first steps into the dugout. We hear about his move to Malaga City, coaching when you can't speak the language and how after work visa issues he attempted to coach remotely. Steven also talks very openly about his career and how his gambling addiction impacted him on the pitch and whether he felt able to talk to his manager's about it. Details of information and support with addiction are availableat bbc.co.uk/actionline | |||
| Frank McAvennie - We hypnotised the Manager! | 14 May 2024 | 00:46:08 | |
West Ham United legend Frank McAvennie joins Craig and Amy for a look back on his career. In a cracking interview he talks us through his start in football and how he nearly signed for Luton Town instead of The Hammers. He also tells us about coming home to Celtic, meeting Maggie Thatcher and the time the West Ham players got the manager hypnotised. And if all of this is not enough of Frank, from 26th May the new series Icons of Football will hit the iPlayer with episode's featuring the man himself, Joe Jordan and John Greig amongst others. | |||
| Pat Nevin - The World's First Player/Chief Executive | 07 May 2024 | 00:45:51 | |
How on earth did Pat Nevin become both a player and the chief executive at Motherwell FC? Roles that meant he was simultaneously being managed by and was the boss of, the man in the Fir Park dugout. Pat talks us through the job, how the dynamic worked in the dressing room and what he was like around the negotiating table. We also hear the alarming fault he found with the Motherwell pitch, how he ignored his Clyde manager's advice to go interrailing and why it was a godsend that the Chelsea training ground was right beside Heathrow. | |||
| Barry Fry - TFI FRY-DAY! | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:46:38 | |
"Hello Barry, what you doing 'ere?" 64 years in the game (twice Amy's age, no really!) and still going strong, the legend that is Barry Fry joins the pod to cram as much of his career into an episode as we possibly can. From scoring against Scotland at Wembley as a schoolboy international to being asked to look after a young George Best. Not to mention hearing about wheeling and dealing, dodgy chairmen and getting arrested on Christmas Day. It's all in this cracking episode and a whole lot more. | |||
| Mark Crossley on Life with Brian | 23 Apr 2024 | 00:46:45 | |
"I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one." - Brian Clough What was it like working with legendary Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough? Mark Crossley, the man who was his No.1 during the final years of his career, joins us with some unbelievable tales of their time together. We hear how Cloughie dealt with agents, contract renewals and players who wouldn't play how he wanted. Each story more incredible than the last, this is a must-listen-to episode! | |||
| Gareth Ainsworth on Music and Football | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:46:31 | |
Former QPR boss Gareth 'Wild Thing' Ainsworth joins Craig and Amy to talk about how music is his escape from the stresses of football. He also explains how he managed to stay Wycombe Wanderers' manager for over 10 years, what it was like managing the strongest football player in the world plus Craig Levein sings... no, he really really does. | |||
| Sol Bamba on Becoming a Manager | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:46:46 | |
The former Cardiff City, Middlesbrough and Ivory Coast defender joins Craig and Amy to talk about his ambitions to become a boss. Sol also talks about how (and why) he made the move from Paris to Dunfermline, why he was the cause of a fight between Neil Warnock and Nigel Pearson - plus, which of his managers does Amy decide to get on the phone for quick chat? | |||
| Lee Sharpe on his Gaffers | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:45:59 | |
Former Manchester United hero Lee Sharpe joins Amy and Craig to discuss his career and the various managers he played for. From 'murderball' with Cyril Knowles to moving to Old Trafford at age 17. What was it like playing for Sir Alex Ferguson? Does he remember the first time he witnessed the hairdryer and what really happened in the dressing room after THAT moment with Eric Cantona and the fan at Crystal Palace? | |||
| Marc White on the Dorking Story | 27 Mar 2024 | 00:43:52 | |
The Dorking Wanderers story is incredible. Little over 20 years ago they started out playing in the 4th division of the local park leagues. Twelve promotions later they are in the National League and one promotion away from the Football League. Manager and owner Marc White joins Craig and Amy to talk about their incredible story, how they got where they are and his plans for the future. | |||
| Paul Merson on his Biggest Regret | 20 Mar 2024 | 00:48:18 | |
What is Paul Merson's biggest regret of his career? The Arsenal legend reveals all to Craig and Amy plus he explains the differences between George Graham and Arsene Wenger, takes us back to his time in the Walsall dugout, and explains how Glenn Hoddle calmed his nerves when he was facing a World Cup penalty shootout. Paul also talks openly about his addictions and how when it comes to gambling football needs to take it more seriously. Details of information and support with addiction are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline | |||
| Brian McClair on extreme training | 30 Oct 2024 | 00:43:50 | |
Brian McClair on his time at Manchester United and Celtic. Choccy talks seagulls, tiddlywinks and avoiding the hairdryer treatment. | |||
| Christmas Special | 20 Dec 2023 | 00:36:50 | |
Craig and Amy bring you festive memories from some of this series' best guests including Neil Warnock, Mick McCarthy and Wrexham's Humphrey Ker, plus Amy has a very special Christmas present for Craig. But could a ghost of Christmas past jeopardise it? | |||
| Dean Windass on his Favourite and Least Favourite Gaffers | 13 Dec 2023 | 00:44:12 | |
The Hull City legend joins Craig and Amy to look back at his career and to talk about his favourite and least favourite managers. We hear about how three red cards in one game was the beginning of the end of his time at Aberdeen, which manager's underwear he covered in Deep Heat plus an event in the dressing room at Oxford United that left us with our jaws on the floor. | |||
| Thomas Rongen on the Worst Team in the World | 06 Dec 2023 | 00:46:11 | |
Thomas Rongen joins Craig and Amy to talk about his time coaching American Samoa, who at the time were the team last in the Fifa World Rankings. His story and the documentary of his time on the island are the inspiration for Taika Waititi's new movie Next Goal Wins. Thomas tells us about how he went about changing the fortunes of the team, what it feels like to have Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Fassbender playing him and how he got the goalie who had conceded 31 goals in one match to come out of retirement. All that plus he takes us on a must listen to wild ride through his playing career in the North American Soccer League in the late 70s and early 80s. From living with Johan Cruyff, partying with The Rolling Stones and skipping past Liza Minnelli in the Studio 54 queue! If you are suffering distress or despair, details of help and support are available - bbc.co.uk/actionline | |||
| Jeff Winter on VAR | 29 Nov 2023 | 00:46:21 | |
Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter joins Craig and Amy for a look back at his career, the managers he encountered and his views on VAR. Has the fun been taken out of refereeing? How would Jeff have handled VAR and what happens if a referee has a call of nature while refereeing? All that plus a listener question takes Craig on a nostalgic trip back to a mid-season 6 a side competition that used to happen in Scotland. | |||
| Neil Warnock On Retirement | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:48:50 | |
He has managed more English league games than anyone else and finally Neil Warnock can add Sacked in the Morning to his CV. In a hilarious chat with Craig and Amy we cover what he does when he first takes over a club, how close he came to managing in Scotland, and whether he's finally retired, or if we can expect to see him back in the dugout soon. | |||
| Paul Sturrock | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:45:01 | |
The legendary Scottish footballer and manager joins Craig and Amy discuss his career. We hear what it was like playing for Jim McLean, one of the most formidable managers of his era? We look at Paul's management career and why it was so tough taking on the Dundee United job and following his announcement in 2008 that he has Parkinson's disease we hear how it affected his time in football. | |||
| Jim White on Deadline Day | 08 Nov 2023 | 00:45:35 | |
THIS JUST IN! Mr Deadline Day Jim White has put pen to paper on a deal to join Sacked in the Morning in a short term move to discuss what goes on behind the scenes on Transfer Deadline Day. Which manager would phone Jim to find out which soup the reporter outside the training ground liked? What's happened to Jim's iconic yellow tie and just how close did Jim get to being on the private jet taking Gareth Bale to Madrid? | |||
| Rene Meulensteen on working with Sir Alex | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:46:37 | |
Craig Levein and Amy Irons are joined by former Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen to talk about working with Sir Alex Ferguson and improving players. Rene reveals how he helped turn Cristiano Ronaldo from a winger to a goal machine, he explains why you never change players but add to their skillset and he takes us back to the Stamford Bridge bench when he and Sir Alex got the fright of their lives. | |||
| Humphrey Ker on the Wrexham Revolution | 24 Oct 2023 | 00:47:14 | |
Craig and Amy are joined by Wrexham's executive director Humphrey Ker to discuss the amazing Welsh adventure he is on with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Did they ever consider a club in Scotland before settling on the Red Dragons? Why did Humphrey put his foot down over a giant inflatable Ryan Reynolds head and has he had the talk with the Hollywood superstars to tell them that if they hang around long enough they may become the villains? | |||
| Charlie Adam on Loan Players | 17 Oct 2023 | 00:42:45 | |
Craig and Amy are joined by former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam to discuss his role as loans manager at Burnley, what it's like working with Vincent Kompany plus his own ambitions to make the move into the dugout one day. We also hear about his time with Ian Holloway at Blackpool, what it was like signing for Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool and if can he score higher than his former Scotland gaffer Craig in Amy's big quiz! | |||
| John Hartson on the manager always being right | 23 Oct 2024 | 00:48:52 | |
Legendary striker John Hartson on his time at Arsenal, Celtic and West Ham. Find out why the Welshman thinks the manager is always right, the impact Arsene Wenger had on his eating habits and that time he scared Martin O’Neill. Details of information and support with addiction are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline | |||
| Mick McCarthy on Heavy Defeats | 10 Oct 2023 | 00:43:14 | |
Craig and Amy are back with a new series and what a great guest to start with. Mick McCarthy has managed over 1000 games so who better to ask about handling heavy defeats. They also take a look at how the former Sunderland, Wolves and Republic of Ireland gaffer got started in management, he reveals the secret meeting with Roy Keane after the 2002 World Cup and Amy wonders if Mick can complete some of his own classic quotes. | |||
| Series 5 Coming Soon | 05 Oct 2023 | 00:05:34 | |
Craig and Amy drop in to reveal the first guest of the new series and Craig has a little surprise for his co-host that catches her a little off guard! | |||
| Cup Final Special | 30 May 2023 | 00:47:26 | |
The football season is nearly at an end so that means one thing...the Cup Final! With Celtic ready to face Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup Final, Craig and Amy welcome representatives of both clubs to hear about their own final experiences. Jackie McNamara tells all about his one regret despite winning a host of medals with Celtic and John Robertson is on hand to relive the feeling standing on the touchline, willing the referee to blow the whistle so he could finally get his hands on the famous trophy. | |||
| Jim Leishman - Football's Mr Motivator! | 23 May 2023 | 00:49:28 | |
Former Dunfermline and Livingston gaffer (plus Provost of Fife no less) Jim Leishman joins Craig and Amy to look back at his career and the inspirations behind some of his best motivational team talks. You won't believe how the Bible and Martin Luther King influenced Jim 'Don Juan' Leishman in the dressing room. After listening you will never EVER want to share a car to St Tropez with two boys from Lochgelly, even if one of them is the Provost of Fife plus discover the meaning of the word 'shunky'. You will not regret listening to this episode! | |||
| Steve Nicol on Crisps and Biscuits | 16 May 2023 | 00:45:33 | |
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol joins Craig and Amy from his home in the States. What was the Liverpool legend's diet like as a player? Turns out not the best but did it matter? 5 league titles, 3 FA Cups and a European Cup suggests not really. We take a look back as his 10year stint as manager of New England Revolution and why he was happy to get the sack. This podcast has been edited since first publication | |||
| Jonathan Sayer on Non-League Ownership | 09 May 2023 | 00:46:19 | |
Is football club ownership all the Hollywood glitz and glam that the Wrexham story would have us believe? As an actor Jonathan Sayer was more at home in the West End or Broadway but when home town club Ashton United tweeted that they needed help he couldn't refuse. Now co-owner and co-chairman with his dad he takes us behind the scenes of running a non-league football team. From all the volunteers helping out, to the lengths they'd go to get a game on in the winter. Craig brings in his own experiences from helping out at Brechin City and working at Cowdenbeath plus reveals who the mystery leaker was during his time at Dundee United when the team was revealed on the internet every week. | |||
| Michael Appleton on Injuries | 02 May 2023 | 00:45:28 | |
Former Blackpool, Lincoln City and Oxford United manager Michael Appleton joins Craig and Amy to discuss his career and how injuries can impact a season. Craig reveals what it was like when he was a player and had to a pain killing injection to play in an Edinburgh derby. Michael takes us back to when he started out and just how quickly he lost his teeth on his debut plus he reveals just what happened with his knee injury and why he ended up taking his surgeon to court. | |||
| Gus Poyet on Great Escapes | 25 Apr 2023 | 00:46:26 | |
Former Brighton and Hove Albion and Sunderland manager Gus Poyet joins Craig and Amy to chat about promotions and great escapes. Just how did he pull off the unimaginable when everyone thought the Black Cats were heading for relegation to the Championship? Those with a sensitive disposition be warned, Gus and Craig play Top Trumps with some bodily function stories, plus what does the Greece national team boss think of what's currently happening at both Tottenham and Chelsea? | |||
| John Aldridge on Difficult Conversations | 18 Apr 2023 | 00:44:16 | |
Liverpool legend John Aldridge joins Craig and Amy for a hilarious episode. Just how hard are the difficult conversations you need to have as a manager? We talk to John about managing Tranmere (including a certain League Cup Final incident), signing on at Anfield plus how he came to play for Jack Charlton's Republic of Ireland. | |||
| Lou Macari on Hiring a Circus Clown | 11 Apr 2023 | 00:44:20 | |
Former Celtic and Stoke City manager Lou Macari joins Amy and Craig to discuss his greatest ever signing, a fired circus clown called Neil. Also in the podcast Craig talks about the importance of the kit man, Lou takes us back to joining Celtic and what it was like under legendary manager Jock Stein, and why he chose Manchester United over Liverpool. Plus Amy puts Lou's knowledge to the test in our big quiz. | |||
| Alex McLeish on his incredible career | 16 Oct 2024 | 00:42:49 | |
Alex McLeish on his incredible career in football. Hear about the time Jose Mourinho turned scout for Scotland, find out the text message he keeps sending Sir Alex Ferguson and why he likes the cut of Rangers manager Philippe Clement’s jib. | |||
| David Martindale on the Health Impacts of Management | 04 Apr 2023 | 00:45:52 | |
Craig and Amy hit the road and visit Livingston gaffer David Martindale. Craig and Davie have an honest discussion about the impact management has on your health. We hear about what it's like to manage with the league's lowest budget plus Davie tells us how he went from prison cell to the dugout in less than 10 years. | |||
| Graham Arnold On Poaching Scottish Players | 28 Mar 2023 | 00:47:47 | |
Amy Irons and Craig Levein are back for a new series of Sacked in the Morning and what a guest to start. Graham Arnold led the Australian men's team to their best ever World Cup performance in Qatar before finally losing to eventual winners Argentina. Graham reveals how easy it is to get Scottish-born players to play for the Socceroos, takes us back to the World Cup and his plans for playing against Lionel Messi, and tells us all about his decision to swap goalkeepers in the dying seconds of the World Cup play-off against Peru. | |||
| Series 4 Coming Soon | 24 Mar 2023 | 00:05:00 | |
Amy and Craig drop in to reveal who the first guest of their new series will be plus in a game of "Never Have I Ever" a certain former Scotland manager reveals whether he has ever asked a player to cheat! | |||
| World Cup Special with Trevor Steven and Paul Lambert | 16 Dec 2022 | 00:53:55 | |
Scotland legend Paul Lambert and former England international Trevor Steven join Craig and Amy for a World Cup special recorded in front of an audience in the Drygate in Glasgow. Trevor takes us back to 1986, the Maradona Hand of God plus what it was like being managed by Bobby Robson. He also played in the 1990 World Cup and by the sounds of things he could have filled a whole podcast with his Gazza stories alone. Paul started every Scotland game of France 1998 and his abiding memory seems to be just how good the Brazilians smelled. He also reveals just how lucky he was to find himself moving from Motherwell to Borussia Dortmund. | |||
| World Cup Special with Gordon Strachan and Ryan McGowan | 09 Dec 2022 | 00:50:53 | |
Scotland legend Gordon Strachan and Australian international Ryan McGowan join Craig and Amy for a World Cup special recorded in front of an audience in the Drygate in Glasgow. Gordon takes us back to his two World Cups in 1982 and 1986. He tells us what it was like to line up against the Brazilians in the tunnel, to take a drugs test with a couple of Russians and why Jock Stein told him to stay in his room. Plus Ryan McGowan tells us all about making the Socceroos squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, what the manager at the time Ange Postecoglou was really like and how as a player on the fringes he found himself assisting not just one of Australia's greatest goals but one of the best the World Cup has ever seen! | |||
| World Cup Special with Alan McInally and Martin O'Neill | 02 Dec 2022 | 00:53:24 | |
Former Northern Ireland captain Martin O'Neill and ex-Scotland international Alan McInally join Craig and Amy for a World Cup special recorded in front of an audience at the Drygate in Glasgow. Alan takes us back to Italia 90 and has brought with him something that Craig hasn't seen for 32 years. Meanwhile Martin has tales of what could've been in 1982 and what happened when he didn't manage to get his hands on Eusebio's shirt. | |||
| World Cup Special with Colin Hendry and Jimmy Nicholl | 25 Nov 2022 | 00:51:28 | |
Former Scotland captain Colin Hendry and ex Northern Ireland international Jimmy Nicholl join Craig and Amy for a World Cup special recorded in front of an audience at the Drygate in Glasgow. Colin takes us back to France in 1998 as he led Scotland out for the opening match of the World Cup against Brazil and recounts Craig Brown's famous last words. Jimmy started every match for Northern Ireland at both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. Defeating Spain, lining up against Brazil and managing to get his hands on the famous yellow number 10 jersey along the way. | |||
| Martin O'Neill | 23 Nov 2022 | 00:49:01 | |
Legendary Celtic and Leicester manager Martin O'Neill joins Amy and Craig as he takes a look back over his career. Martin goes back to the start to talk about how it started at Wycombe Wanderers, he discusses his amazing time at Celtic including the one big regret of his career plus what it was like to win not one but two European Cups with Nottingham Forest. | |||
| Peter Grant on being a Manager versus Assistant | 16 Nov 2022 | 00:43:01 | |
Former Norwich gaffer Peter Grant joins Amy Irons and Craig Levein to discuss his time as both a manager and an assistant manager. Peter has managed in Scotland and England and has been an assistant at some huge clubs such as West Ham, Aston Villa, Birmingham and Scotland. So how does the role differ and which does he prefer? Craig and Peter also reminisce about the 'good old days', if days where you shared unwashed training gear, slips and baths can be described as good plus Peter recounts us with tales of the legendary Paolo Di Canio | |||
| Geoff Shreeves on Interviewing Managers | 09 Nov 2022 | 00:44:00 | |
Geoff Shreeves has been a touchline reporter for decades and on football pitches all around the world. Who better to ask just what it's like to interview a manager when they have just been hammered 5-0? He joins Craig and Amy to tell tales of a major run-in with Sir Alex Ferguson, how Gordon Strachan viewed him standing outside the dressing room and the time Brian Clough got a little too close during an interview. All that plus does he have what it takes to take the top spot in Amy's 'Big Quiz' league table? | |||
| Mark Lawrenson on playing for both Charlton brothers | 09 Oct 2024 | 00:40:44 | |
How did the Charlton brothers differ as managers? Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson is the only footballer to have played for both - he joins Craig and Amy to tell all about their 'chalk and cheese' management styles. As well as that, how did King Kenny Dalglish transform from player to manager, what does he make of current Anfield boss Arne Slot, plus Mark reveals the greatest signing of his short-lived managerial career | |||
| Steve Evans on the Technical Area | 02 Nov 2022 | 00:43:01 | |
Stevenage gaffer Steve Evans joins Craig and Amy as they discuss how you control your emotions in the technical area. Has Steve calmed down over the years? What is it like when you are supposed to be setting an example as manager but find yourself sent off? Plus Steve reveals that even his wife wasn't safe from his touchline antics on her Christmas night out. All that plus will Amy find a new leader for her 'Big Quiz' league table? | |||
| John 'Yogi' Hughes on Team Spirit | 25 Oct 2022 | 00:44:03 | |
Craig Levein and Amy Irons are joined by former Inverness, Falkirk and Hibs gaffer John 'Yogi' Hughes as they discuss the importance of a good team spirit in the dressing room. Yogi explains the impact promoting a youth team coach at Inverness had on his players, he talks about the legend that is Russell Latapy and he reveals just what possessed him to streak passed the TV cameras while a player at Falkirk | |||
| David Dein on meeting Arsene Wenger | 18 Oct 2022 | 00:42:43 | |
Craig Levein and Amy Irons are joined by former Arsenal vice chairman and co-owner David Dein as they discuss his time at the Gunners. David reveals how if he had his way a certain Scottish manager could've arrived in London instead of Manchester, he recalls the story of how a chance meeting with Arsene Wenger in 1989 put the wheels in motion to the Frenchman becoming boss and as one of the main drivers in the creation of the Premier League he divulges just how close the Old Firm came to joining the league. | |||
| Mark Clattenburg on Dealing with Managers | 12 Oct 2022 | 00:46:45 | |
Former referee Mark Clattenburg has officiated some of the biggest games and clubs in the world so no-one knows better what it's like to try and control some of the game's biggest managers. Craig Levein tells us how referees have changed since he played the game, Mark reveals what happened when Sir Alex Ferguson tried to get him to play "Fergie Time" and Amy wants to bring in some competition to this series - who will come out on top in her 'Big Quiz' | |||