The Failed Footballer – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Failed Footballer

Olan Tekkers & iHeart Australia

Sports

Frequency: 1 episode/4d. Total Eps: 26

He may have failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some icons of the game past and present - who've actually made it - he gives you bold takes on the Premier League, A-League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League and beyond.

How do you actually make it as a pro footballer? The Failed Footballer gives you everything you need to know from football's top leagues around the world: news, goals, player stories and more.

This is your front‑row seat to all the action from football around the world - the goals, results and most shocking stories. You’ll also get insight from emerging talent, analysis of tactics, coaching decisions, and hear what it really takes to avoid the dreaded 'failed footballer' tag.

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Data updated on 30/09/2026

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https://omnystudio.com/listener
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https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers
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Score global : 63%

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Socceroo legend Jackson Irvine on Aussie football's identity problem, the J-League vs the Bundesliga, and the most under-rated Socceroo ever

Sunday, September 20, 2026 • Duration 33:36

Jackson Irvine has played for the Socceroos in 3 World Cups. He's played for Celtic, Hull City, Hibs, FC St. Pauli and is now getting at taste of the J-League with Cerezo Osaka. He's a box-to-box midfielder of the type that isn't so common anymore. And he definitely knows what it takes to make it as a footballer and avoid the 'failed' label.

He tells OlanTekkers how he made it, how he got through countless trials with European clubs and how Japanese football compares to the German, Scottish and English style of play.

Plus, his life outside football and what he gets up to: DJing, fashion and learning Japanese. If you're wondering how the A-League compares to European leagues, or what you need to do to get to the top of football anywhere in the world, this is the conversation for you.

In this episode:

00:00 Jackson Irvine on Life in Japan & the J.League

01:10 Culture Shock: Germany vs Japan

02:14 Learning Japanese & Language Barriers

03:59 J.League vs Bundesliga: Which League Is Better?

05:39 Why Japanese Players Are So Technical

07:03 Jackson Irvine's Journey from Victoria to Celtic

10:05 Does Australian Football Let Talents Slip Through the Cracks?

12:03 How Jackson Irvine Earned a Celtic Contract at 16

15:00 What Is Australia's Football Identity?

16:58 Why This Socceroos Generation Is Different

20:02 Jackson Irvine Reflects on the FIFA World Cup

23:51 Do Australians Only Care About the Socceroos During World Cups?

26:41 The Most Underrated Socceroo Ever? 28:46 Football, Fashion & Jackson Irvine's Style

29:52 Jackson Irvine's Music Career & Radio Show

31:01 Why Footballers Need Passions Outside the Game

32:39 Brazil, the Socceroos & What's Next for Jackson Irvine

Follow the Failed Footballer: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod

Follow Olan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers

Follow Olan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers

The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App.

Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Man Utd v Man City: red card and VAR drama in the derby. And is the A-League still the peak of Aussie football?

Monday, September 14, 2026 • Duration 28:37

There was VAR Chaos in the Manchester derby - should Haaland's goal have stood? Should Bruno Fernandes have been sent off too?
Lucas Harrington's Premier League breakout season continues as Hull hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw. How are they doing so well?
Mohamed Touré's scoring run continues: how's he doing it?
The Men's and Women's NPL Grand Finals delivered on the drama and the goals
And it's the big NPL vs A-League debate: where should young players be aiming to get to?

The Manchester Derby delivered on the drama once again. OlanTekkers and Kat Haddad debate whether Michael Carrick can finally solve Manchester United's post-Ferguson problems, and vent about another VAR controversy after officials admitted a mistake in City's win.

They also check in on two Socceroos flying overseas, with Lucas Harrington helping Hull continue their dream Premier League start and Mohamed Touré's incredible scoring run continuing.

Back home, the NSW NPL Grand Finals delivered drama, stunning goals and massive crowds, sparking a bigger conversation about the role of NPL football in Australia. Are young players better off chasing the A-League pathway or building careers through the NPL? What are the financial realities facing Australian footballers? And are clubs doing enough to benefit from the success of players they develop before they're sold overseas?

Host: OlanTekkers

Host: Kat Haddad

In this episode:

00:00 Manchester Derby Chaos & Michael Carrick's United

03:07 Red Card Controversy Sparks Debate

04:32 VAR Admits Haaland Goal Error

He went from the NPL to the A-League to the Bundesliga - then fell back down again. Alou Kuol tells his story

Monday, September 7, 2026 • Duration 29:38

What's it like getting to the highest levels of football but then falling back down the pyramid? Alou Kuol went from winning trophies with the Central Coast Mariners and signing for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart, to the Mariners again, and finally to the NPL. He opens up about the highs of making it in Europe, the setbacks that followed, and what keeps him chasing the top level.

Plus, advice for young players who are trialing at top clubs, life in Germany and how the top-flight in Europe compares to the A-League.

OlanTekkers also breaks down Australia's shock failure to qualify for the U20 2027 Asian Cup, the Aussie stars lighting up Europe, and whether the next generation can take Aussie football forward.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Aussie footballers are taking over the world - is the A-League the key to fostering talent?

Monday, August 31, 2026 • Duration 15:13

OlanTekkers wraps up the performances of our Aussie footballers playing abroad. Mo Toure is on fire 3 games into the EFL Championship season - scoring a brace for Norwich City. Lucas Herrington got 30 minutes in the Premier League for Hull City against Coventry, and Patrick Beach pulled off a worldie of save in Ligue 1 for Troyes. The future looks bright for Aussie football - the 2030 World Cup is going to be interesting.

Plus, an interview with 20 year-old Macarthur Bulls midfielder Oliver Randazzo. Hear how he made it to the top of Aussie football, and what it takes to stay there.

The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast.

Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App.

All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Nestory Irankunda on following in Ronaldo's footsteps, THAT World Cup goal & why the A-League is underrated

Thursday, August 27, 2026 • Duration 20:14

Nestory Irankunda talks his career-changing move to Portugese giants Sporting CP, how he bounced back from a difficult period in his career, and why the A-League deserves more respect.

Plus, future Aussie stars to watch, how Turkiye fired up the Socceroos with their World Cup antics and what can be done to nurture more home-grown talent.

One of Australia's most exciting football prospects ever gives OlanTekkers a glimpse into life as a footballer at the very top. The failed footballer interviews the successful one. Enjoy

Follow the Failed Footballer: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod/
Follow Olan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers/
Follow Olan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers?lang=en

The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer.

So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it.

All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How hard is it for young footballers to make it to the A-League?

Monday, August 24, 2026 • Duration 28:59

OlanTekkers goes down to the Central Coast Mariners training ground to see how they do it at elite level. How do you go from youth academy, to NPL, to A-League? What does it take to make the jump?

First-team players and academy graduates Harrison Steele and Lucas Mauragis share their journey, give advice for young players coming through the system and tell us what you need to make it at the highest level in Australia.

Plus, the new European season is underway, and Spurs and United are being their usual selves in the Premier League. Spurs lost 3-0 to Brentford while United lost 2-0 to newly promote Hull City. It was Australia's third youngest player to debut in the EPL that had everyone excited though; could Lucas Herrington become one of the all-time great Aussie footballers? How to avoid being a failed footballer, and a spotlight on an exciting young Aussie talent overseas - that's what you can expect from the Failed Football podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Mitch Duke's Popovic Tell All

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 • Duration 17:48

What’s it like spending three weeks fighting for your dream, only to be let go in a two and a half minute meeting? How do you handle the emotional heartbreak of missing out on the 2026 World Cup squad after giving everything for your country? And what is the reality of player-manager relationships at the highest level?

This week, Socceroos striker Mitch Duke joins OlanTekkers for a raw, unfiltered conversation about national team selections, manager dynamics, and the toughest moments of his career. We get the exclusive inside story on his relationship with Australia manager Tony Popovic, the brutal reality of squad cut-offs, and what went down during that brief exit meeting in Florida before the 2026 World Cup. Mitch opens up about the frustration of spending weeks in camp away from his kids, only to be delivered the disappointing news in minutes.

Beyond the Popovic selection drama, Mitch reflects on his iconic 2022 World Cup header against Tunisia, his rise from the A-League to becoming a fan favourite in Japan's J-League, and how he built the mentality to navigate elite football's biggest highs and brutal lows. What went through his head during that brief conversation with Popovic? How does a player process being left out after giving everything in qualification? And how do you pick yourself up and stay proud after such a devastating setback?

Plus, Mitch shares his advice for young strikers coming through the ranks, discusses life with his family in Japan, and reflects on his lasting legacy in green and gold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Was that the WORST World Cup Final ever? What did Argentina do to themselves?

Monday, July 20, 2026 • Duration 24:28

Spain had 20 shots. Argentina didn't have a shot until the 117th minute. Just what exactly happened?

Guest host and football tragic Nick Stav and iHeart sports reporter John Bric unpack all the stats and baffling tactical decisions from the 2026 World Cup Final. Why did Argentina coach Scaloni play so negatively? Why did Trump refuse to get off the stage? And is Rodri really the most deserving Player of the Tournament?

Plus, who's on for the Balon D'Or now Messi, Mbappe and Kane each left without a World Cup win? What sort of goalscoring records is Mbappe going to win as he looks ahead to 2030? And how does this tournament rank compared to previous World Cups?

The World Cup is done but The Failed Footballer is not. OlanTekkers will be back with a weekly podcast covering the biggest stories from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, A-League, NPL and Champions League as the 26/27 season gets underway on August 22.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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NRL legend and devoted Socceroos fan Josh Mansour on England's World Cup loss - how did it all go so wrong?

Season 1 · Episode 17

Friday, July 17, 2026 • Duration 32:56

England were minutes away from a World Cup final, then Tuchel pressed the self-destruct button. Messi did Messi things and Argentina turned it around. How did it happen?

Olan is in the UK trying to get over the loss, so Kat Haddad jumps into the host chair to unpack England's heartbreaking semi-final loss to Argentina, and the fallout from one of the biggest games of the tournament. The dust has settled and we've heard more opinions than ever, but there's still more to say.

NRL legend and host of UNSCRIPTED Josh Mansour joins Kat to analyse the game and debate:

How did Thomas Tuchel get it so wrong?
How have Spain snuck under the radar into the final?
And is this the biggest missed opportunity of the modern England era?

We then look ahead to Sunday's World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina - Europe's champions against the defending world champions. Will Lamine Yamal finally step up?

Plus, how does this World Cup compare to previous years? Is it just too American?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Socceroo goalkeeper Maty Ryan on THAT World Cup penalty shootout & how he made it in the Premier League

Season 1 · Episode 16

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • Duration 31:23

What really happened before Patrick Beach was subbed off for Maty Ryan in the World Cup Round of 32 against Egypt? What does it take to spend more than a decade as Australia's No.1 goalkeeper? And how do you go from Blacktown City to the Premier League?

This week, Socceroos captain and player in FOUR World Cups Maty Ryan joins OlanTekkers for an honest conversation about the moments that shaped his career.

We go right back to Maty's beginnings in Western Sydney, his time at Westfield Sports High (fellow alumni includes Harry Kewell and Alanna Kennedy) and the mentality that helped him make the leap from NPL to the biggest leagues in Europe.

We also get the inside story on Australia's World Cup campaign, Popovic's selection decisions, Patrick Beach's breakout tournament and how Maty handled the disappointment of watching from the sidelines while still helping drive the team forward behind the scenes.

What was going through his head when he was told he'd be coming on for a penalty shootout? Did he always believe he'd make it to the top? And why do Australian footballers still have to work twice as hard to earn respect overseas?

Plus, Maty shares his advice for young goalkeepers, explains why mentality matters more than talent, discusses Australia's next generation, and reveals whether he still believes a spot at the 2030 World Cup is within reach.

One of Australia's greatest footballers tells his story.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Failed Footballer – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Failed Footballer – Details, episodes & analysis

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