Whistleblowers – Details, episodes & analysis

This week on Whistleblowers, Gordon Smart, Ian Ladyman, and Mark Clattenburg tackle the Premier League’s never-ending managerial merry-go-round - from Nuno and Potter to West Ham’s revolving door. 

They debate data vs emotion in modern football, discuss empathy in refereeing, and reflect on the human side of journalism. Ian opens up about interviewing Gary Speed’s widow, while Gordon shares a powerful story from Amy Winehouse’s funeral - exploring how to balance truth, compassion, and responsibility in the job.

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Luke Shelley

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Whistleblowers, the lads dive into the chaos of Premier League refereeing as Mark Clattenburg unloads on VAR after Newcastle’s defeat to Arsenal. 

Gordon Smart relives one of the wildest nights of his life in Edinburgh’s Presidential Suite (spoiler: Winston Churchill’s table was never the same again).

AND debate Sunderland’s remarkable transformation from Netflix despair to Premier League surprise package, and take aim at Manchester United’s decade of disastrous signings. 

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Rowan Jacobs

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

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Mark Clattenburg, Ian Ladyman, and Gordon Smart are back with another explosive episode of Whistleblowers.

From Clattenburg’s questionable Great North Run “training plan” (Guinness, cupcakes, and all) to a heated debate over whether the Premier League’s “Big Six” even exists anymore. The lads tackle the rise of Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Everton, the financial walls blocking smaller clubs, and why kids today follow Messi and Ronaldo before they follow clubs.

They also dive into the emotional core of football - what loyalty really means, how supporting your team can carry you through life’s hardest moments, and why even a Burnley win can lift spirits in times of struggle.

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Mark's donation page:

https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/mark-clattenburg?utm_source=enthuse

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Luke Shelley

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Whistleblowers, poor Ian is left to fend for himself in the studio on his lonesome, with Mark in New York and Gordon sunning himself in Ibiza.

Lots to get through today as they begin by dissecting Celtic’s shock exit from the Champions League, and analyse the potential storm brewing around Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham… the lads don’t hold back. Is Tuchel already on a collision course with England’s star man? And is the Bellingham family becoming too involved behind the scenes?

Mark offers an insider’s view on refereeing Bellingham - and admits the side of Jude fans don’t always see - while Ian questions whether England are risking their future by alienating their best player.

There’s also a heated debate on VAR, time-wasting… plus a hilarious story from Clattenburg about the time he didn’t even realise the game should have ended.

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Luke Shelley

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Whistleblowers, Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg, Ian Ladyman, and guest Rory Jennings tackle the burning question: are managers still coaches, or just buyers? From Slot’s Liverpool midfield rebuild to Eddie Howe’s reinvention of Joelinton, the lads explore whether developing players is a dying art.

The conversation spirals into the realities of time in football management-why Potter, Lampard, and Southgate show the huge difference patience can make.

Mark then lifts the lid on life inside the tunnel, including Sir Alex Ferguson’s cheeky envelope stunt, Rooney meltdowns, and ball boys mimicking punch-ups. 

Finally, the battle of the All-Time XI reaches its climax. Dalglish or Shearer? Messi alongside Ronaldo? After fierce debate, the fans have their say and crown a winner.

It’s a packed episode of football insight, insider stories, and big laughs-covering everything from tactical coaching to tunnel chaos.

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman

Featuring: Rory Jennings

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Luke Shelley

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Whistleblowers, Gordon Smart, Ian Ladyman, Mark Clattenburg and - back by popular demand - Rory Jennings dive headfirst into the chaos of the Premier League. 

Chelsea’s ongoing identity crisis dominates the debate, with Cole Palmer hailed by some as the only reason the team aren’t in freefall, while others question whether his Ballon d’Or nomination proves football has lost the plot. 

Newcastle’s turbulent summer is laid bare, from toxic fan unrest to transfer failures and the growing pressure on Eddie Howe. West Ham are in the firing line too, with Graham Potter’s appointment sparking fierce arguments about style, fit and fan expectations. 

Rory claims that this year’s promoted clubs have already “shamed” last season’s, sparking plenty of pushback, while Arsenal’s so-called killer instinct comes under the microscope. 

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Luke Shelley

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Clattenburg, Ian Ladyman and Gordon Smart go head-to-head in a fiery debate over the handball rule: why it’s broken, why VAR makes it worse, and why fans, referees and even the rule-makers can’t agree on what’s right anymore.

From “take all this b******s out” to “we’ll never fix it,” sparks fly as our panel tears apart the contradictions, the grey areas, and the chaos surrounding the game’s most divisive decision.

We also touch on the madness of kit prices, Sunderland’s classy gesture to lifelong fans, and the final selections for our all-time XIs — but make no mistake, this one’s all about the handball fight that’s splitting football.

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Luke Shelley

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool’s summer spending has smashed through records - but is it smart squad building or an expensive gamble?

Gordon Smart, Ian Ladyman and Mark Clattenburg are joined by Daily Mail Sport’s Merseyside reporter Lewis Steele to unpack the Reds’ £500m window, the brewing Alexander Isak transfer saga, and whether defence should trump attack in the market.

We also tackle the pressure on Arne Slot’s Liverpool 2.0, Newcastle’s frustration, and the emotional tributes planned at Anfield for Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.

Away from Anfield, the panel dive deep into Jack Grealish’s career crossroads - from treble glory at Manchester City to questions over professionalism, wild off-field stories, and why Everton could be his perfect reset.

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Luke Shelley

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Joel Beya return with big opinions and bigger stories. 

There’s chat about Clattenburg’s Saudi contract standoff and Joel calls out young players chasing money. They debate Liverpool’s title hopes, Arsenal’s squad depth, and whether alcohol should be allowed in stadiums.

Plus: Ashley Cole as a referee’s nightmare, Joel’s family matchday stories, Henry’s bizarre penalty superstition, and all-time XI picks that spark plenty of laughs.

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Luke Shelley

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Whistleblowers, it’s a bumper episode. Joel Beya returns after impressing on loan a couple weeks ago, as the lads revisit the Alexander Isak saga. The Daily Mail’s Chief Football Reporter, Craig Hope, joins us; taking us inside Newcastle’s turbulent summer, the water park moment that started it all, and the latest twist in their star striker’s future.

We get stuck into Son’s Spurs farewell, ask whether he or Harry Kane is the bigger legend, and throw down some more bold Premier League predictions.

Whistleblowers | Football From The Inside Out

Hosts: Gordon Smart, Mark Clattenburg and Joel Beya

Producer: Henry Williams

Executive Producer: Jamie East

Researcher: William Colledge

Booker: Ashley Whitt

Video Editor: Luke Shelley

Content Editor: Joseph Palmer

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini 

Social Handles:

X: @blowerspod

Instagram: whistleblowerspod

TikTok: whistleblowerspodcast

Email: whistleblowers@dailymail.com

A Daily Mail Podcast. Seriously Popular. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.