Revista de la Liga with Graham Hunter

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Per Mertesacker: Old-School Values Oct 14, 2019

Show notes

Hola!

The title of Per Mertesacker’s new autobiography is BFG: Big Friendly German. When we visited him in outer London, we found him indeed to be an amiable fellow. Yet this World Cup and triple FA Cup winner was nothing but imposing when he starred as a centre-half for Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, and, most famously, Arsenal and Germany.

Nowadays, Per is the manager of the Gunners’ academy, and he gives us a fascinating insight into how he instils the three core values of Respect, Discipline and Humility into his young charges, reflecting the old-school upbringing which he benefited from.

Per loved his time playing at Arsenal, but missed the more intimate relationship between fans and stars which exists in Germany. He explains why he trained to help the mentally ill instead of learning how to use a rifle, talks about the pressure becoming the primary earner for a family can place on talented kids, and is brilliant on that incredible 7-1 drubbing of Brazil in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup.

Enjoy

Graham

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Joleon Lescott: Esteemed Kompany Oct 09, 2019

Show notes

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Joleon Lescott. For the first time, here’s the full episode.

In part two, Joleon speaks about rediscovering his other youthful passion, DJing, and how he now evokes joy on the dancefloor as he used to spark delight on the terraces. He also describes how undiagnosed dyslexia compelled him to develop mental agility and resourcefulness that he would apply to the beautiful game. There’s chat about his Manchester City defensive partner, the extraordinary Vincent Kompany, and about how it took until retirement for Joleon to fully realise just how massive an achievement winning the Premier League title was.

If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter

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

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Joleon Lescott: City Rising Oct 07, 2019

Show notes

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Joleon Lescott. For the first time, here’s the full episode.

As a teenager at Wolves, Joleon once pushed himself so hard that he was physically sick but then continued training. It was an attitude that didn’t go unnoticed and one that he applies in his new role developing loan players at Manchester City, the club at which he excelled.

In part one, Joleon also describes the desire to win that City’s owners possess – don’t expect them to relent until they win the Champions League.

If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter

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

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Q & A part two Oct 03, 2019

Show notes

Aaaand here's part two of this month's Q & A. Questions, as ever, from our wonderful socios at patreon.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Q and A Part Two Oct 02, 2019

Show notes

It's time for the second part of our monthly Q & A episode. Thanks to all of you who sent in questions for Graham. If you'd like to submit your questions to Graham every month, it's time to become a Socio. Join us at patreon.com/grahamhunter to get an exclusive Big Interview every month and the audio versions of all Graham's ESPN columns

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

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Q & A part one Oct 02, 2019

Show notes

Here's the first part of this month's Q & A - questions as ever from our socios.

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

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Alex Bruce: A Wembley Wish and Winning with Dad Sep 30, 2019

Show notes

Hola!

As a kid, Alex Bruce travelled to Wembley to see his father, Manchester United legend Steve, lift the FA Cup. The experience sparked a dream, and one day he too would grace the Wembley turf, although his final with Hull City – a five-goal thriller against Arsenal – ended in defeat.

I caught up with defensive stalwart Alex at his current club Kilmarnock, where he described what it’s like being treated as the boss’ son, how the Championship is the most physically demanding league in the world, and exactly why he has so much admiration for Rooney, Ronaldo and Giggs.

Alex is great talking about how his youth career faltered at Man U – and was then resurrected at Blackburn Rovers, and the sheer joy of achieving promotion to the Premier League with Hull; an especially sweet experience because his beloved dad was the manager.

Enjoy

Graham

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

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Classic Big Interview: Thomas Hitzlsperger Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Thomas Hitzlsperger from season two.

Thomas is one of football’s deep thinkers, now a considered and astute media analyst, but when he was a player he wasn’t averse to taking a gamble – not least giving up on the Bayern Munich academy for a go at the English top division. For Aston Villa and for this elegant midfielder with a wicked left foot, it was a move that paid off in spades. Thomas vividly recalls his stunning volley which helped Stuttgart win the title on the final nerve-wracking day of the 2007 Bundesliga. You’ll also hear about his time with the German national team, and how ‘Das Reboot’ finally knocked Spain off their perch.

I don’t need to exhort you to enjoy this Big Interview – I just know you will.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Emile Heskey: Michael Owen and me Sep 18, 2019

Show notes

In part two, Emile talks more about life at Leicester and how Martin O’Neill was the supreme man manager. He gives a fascinating insight into what it was like to make the move to Liverpool, where expectations were sky-high but where the Kop loved him. There's also England’s incredible World Cup qualifier in Germany in 2001, when the Golden Generation smashed their arch-rivals 5-1; and yes, even Heskey scored.

Enjoy

Graham

Check out Emile's brilliant book, out now

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

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

Emile Heskey: Silencing the Critics Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

The title of Emile Heskey’s autobiography is ‘Even Heskey Scored’, a sardonic nod to the misperception that he was anything other than a highly talented player, a prolific goal scorer and, most of all, a winner. In part one, Emile describes his ‘strange’ personality – painfully shy in the dressing room, super-confident on the field of play. He explains how he helped his beloved Leicester City escape financial meltdown and paints us a vivid behind-the-scenes picture of life at the Foxes training ground under Martin O’Neill, when being forced to wear the dreaded, smelly, yellow jersey was every player’s worst nightmare.

Enjoy

Graham

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

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.revistadelaliga.com/subscribe

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