The Big Interview

In part two of my absorbing conversation with Bolo Zenden, there’s great stuff about Ronaldo (the Brazilian one), who blossomed alongside the Dutchman at PSV. Bolo adored and admired Ronaldo, and tells us how fancy dress failed to disguise the genius from recognition at a Dutch carnival. But it was agony losing to his pal’s Brazil in the semi-final of the 1998 World Cup.

There’s also amazing content about working under and alongside Rafael Benítez and winning the only major honour in Middlesbrough’s history.

Boudewijn ‘Bolo’ Zenden was a winger full of pace and precision who graced the jerseys of the Netherlands, Barcelona, Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Liverpool and his beloved PSV Eindhoven, where he now coaches.

His childhood grounding in judo prepared him for epic duels with full-backs, and he’s as good a Big Interview guest as we’ve had at articulating the intricacy of his craft, how he lured opponents into his traps.

Xavi often cites Luuk de Jong as setting the standard of professionalism and application that he demands at Camp Nou. In part two of our conversation with Luuk, there’s amazing content about the Barcelona head coach’s methods, which include fun team games at training that seem to have little to do with football yet which sharpen you mentally and teach you positional and possessional play, and also bond the players.

You’ll also hear great insights into the natural talents of Barca superstars Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele.

To celebrate our sixth birthday, The Big Interview did something special: visited the Barcelona training ground to meet with their bright and brilliant Dutch striker Luuk de Jong.

In part one, you’ll hear about how Luuk formed a relationship with Ever Banega at Sevilla which helped them clinch the 2020 Europa League. Sevilla’s record-breaking win was achieved with zero fans present, but the Covid bubble actually helped bond the players for victory.

You’ll also hear about Luuk’s explanation of how the striker’s instinct kicks in in the heat of the moment, and his favourite footballing moment: PSV beating Ajax 3-0 to become Eredivisie champions in 2018.

Here’s another chance to hear my Big Interview with Don Hutchison from season four.

You’ll hear about Don’s meteoric rise from boys’ club to Hartlepool to Liverpool – where he formed a midfield three with the magnificent Jan Molby and Ronnie Whelan under manager Graeme Souness. Don speaks about the vision, courage and split-second decision making required to be a midfield fulcrum.

There’s moving stuff, too: how Don’s winner for Scotland against England brought his tough miner father to tears. And how Don found Howard Kendall weeping after leading his beloved Everton to top division survival. There’s also a tale about another late, great manager – Walter Smith, who sprung the best bit of man-management ever on Don at Goodison Park.