The Big Interview

In his pristine legal office in downtown Madrid, Ramon Calderon comes off as a perfectly-mannered, spritely and talkative elder Real Madrid fan. Reason enough to mine the stories you are about to hear. But his status as not only a lifelong supporter, but also a board member and former president of that great club make him the perfect guide into the legend of Madrid.

This is a guy that saw Alfredo Di Stefano play and later got to know him as a man. And for this, part one of the interview, we’re going to focus more or less on his time as a supporter in the 1960s and 70s. There is a glimpse of what’s to come in the way he breaks down the model Madrid use to turn superstar players into vast reservoirs of cash, but even that is rooted in the incredible vision of Santiago Bernabeu, the man behind Madrid.

Enjoy!

Graham

Hello!

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was born in Surinam, learned football in Holland and spent most of his career in England, with a season in Spain at Atletico Madrid. Few are better placed to discuss the differences in football cultures.
He has a strong take on the issues within English football, but it is his home nation of Holland that he singles out for the most criticism. Why do the Dutch keep coming up short? Jimmy gives it to us straight!
He also talks Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Gudjohnsen, Valeron and more.

Enjoy!

Graham

The first time I chatted to Phil Neville was in the Hilton gym in Manchester, which overlooks the Cervantes Institute. Gesturing to the building below, Phil mentioned on that occasion that he would love to learn Spanish.

Years later. the opportunity to coach at Valencia gave him the chance to fulfil that ambition. Phil breaks down how he learned the language and soaked in the football culture of the nation. He is fascinating on the differences between coaching in Spain and Britain and the legacy left by his brother. Gary, at the club.

Enjoy!

Graham

Phil Neville always wanted to be a cricketer and his talent matched his ambition. He was one of the best schoolboy cricketers of his generation, having served an apprenticeship in the Lancashire leagues where he faced bouncers from world-class West Indian bowlers.

Then he walked out at Wembley to represent England youths at football in front of 80,000 fans. His decision was made. Cricket’s loss has been football’s gain. We spend time talking about both sports, exploring how his experiences in cricket helped form his football mentality, and even shaped his outlook in life.

In an era where the professional game is awash with money, Neville’s insistence on installing work ethic and morals in young footballers has never been more relevant.

This is part one. The second half – where Phil talks extensively about his time in Spain – will be out on Monday.

Sit back and enjoy Phil Neville in full flow!

Graham

Phil Neville was promoting the new book Class of 92: Out of Our League, out now

In part two of my interview with Thomas Hitzlsperger, the former Germany midfielder talks about his decision to take on some big issues outside football.

This began in 2007, at the peak of his playing career, when he blogged about racism in football for a German site – the first story he wrote about concerned the racist abuse aimed at a Celtic player during a trial game Thomas played for the Scottish club before he joined Aston Villa.

He also talks in length about his decision to come out as the most high-profile gay footballer. It’s fascinating to hear him talk about how such a personal decision eventually influences a debate within wider football culture and impacts on individual lives in a way I don’t believe he was expecting.

Thanks for listening.

Und danke, Hammer.

Graham