The Big Interview

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

In part two we hear about how Andrea loved his time at Alavés. They couldn’t get promoted until a wonderful, crazy Ukrainian-American businessman Dmitry Piterman bought the club. There followed a Copa del Rey semi-final against Zaragotha.

Then one day Jordi Cruyff telephoned and sold Andrea the idea of playing for Roberto Martínez at Swansea. Thus began a love affair with English (and Welsh!) football. Unfortunately, the Swans were in League One at the time, and Andrea endured a tough introduction to life in Blighty – tough tackles, a lack of facilities and a bad injury – and received no special treatment from his boss. But Martínez got them into the Championship and Brendan Rodgers took over to finish the job, attaining Premier League football after a thrilling 4-2 play-off final win against Reading. Rodgers wept when he told Andrea that he would have to sit that game out in the stands.

After one minute speaking with Gus Poyet Andrea wanted to sign for Brighton. Being let go due to his injury record was a huge blow. He still adores that club.

Enjoy

Graham

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

In part one you’ll hear about how this elegant winger perfected his talents at Barcelona B by observing and training with the likes of Ronaldinho, Iniesta and Busquets. The young Busquets was nicknamed ‘Crouch’ because he was tall and skinny; he had to work so hard. Iniesta was quicker than people realise, with incredible acceleration; he never gave the ball away. And Ronaldinho could have been the greatest of all time; physically so strong but with superhuman instincts and skills.

At Barca B Andrea was comfortable with the rondos training drills. You had to be – it wasn’t for fun, it encompassed the way Barcelona play. To this day he can describe precisely how he kicks a football, an ability which explains why he is such an engaging analyst of the game.

Graham

Welcome to our Big Interview Icons series where we shine a light on a legend whose name has lit up some of the conversations I’ve had with my guests over the last six years of The Big Interview. This episode focuses on Cristiano Ronaldo.

We start with Quinton Fortune talking about the rough footballing environment at Manchester United where Ronnie was regularly ribbed – but it only drove him on to work even harder.

Then there’s former Real Madrid assistant manager Paul Clement’s tale of Ronnie calming him down in the tunnel story before the 2014 Champions League final against Atletico in Lisbon.

Ramón Calderón talks about signing the genius from Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson had stated he’d rather sell Real a virus, but Ramon insists that if a top player wants to leave, you can’t stop him.

Lastly Ryan Fraser talks about playing against Ronnie when Madrid came to Bournemouth to dole out a friendly thrashing. When he put a free-kick in top corner even Ryan was applauding!

Enjoy.

Graham

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Andy Robertson from season three.

We caught up with Andy in early 2018, just after he had played a pivotal role for Liverpool in an incredible 4-3 victory over Manchester City. That really was the moment Andy arrived at Anfield and looking back you can see how the green shoots for Liverpool’s long-awaited title win grew visible that day. There’s great stuff about what it’s like to play for Jurgen Klopp, what it felt like to be signed by Liverpool and how Kenny Dalglish is still such a huge, positive presence at the club.

There’s also chat about why Celtic legend Henrik Larsson was Andy’s boyhood hero and about the ecstasy and relief that came with winning a play-off final with Hull.

Enjoy

Graham

Pep Lijnders was in such demand as a coach that Porto took him from PSV Eindhoven at the tender age of 24. The move was a footballing culture shock – Porto’s winning mentality blew Pep away. Their scouting network is second to none, however, this risks impacting the academy. Therefore, Pep and his colleagues had to strive to create their own new generation of stars, and they certainly succeeded.

Pep believes that a successful academy creates a father/son relationship between the young player and his club. He will give you that bit more once he makes the first team, and inspire another hundred boys at the academy.

Thanks, Pep, that was one of the best.

Graham.