Pure Football Podcast

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In the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague speaks to - and about - some of the most intriguing, most influential and most recognisable figures from the world of football.

Guillem Balague


    • May 20, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 39 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Pure Football Podcast

    Pure Football Podcast with Mick Clegg

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2022 50:24


    I have not found many people like Mike Clegg in my years in football. Intense, vanguardist, creative and flexible, deeply religious. So of course he had to be at some point one of the special episodes of the Pure Football Podcast. • Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter  • Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo  • For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Pure Football Podcast at Football Manager HQ

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 63:07


    A very special episode. I decided to take my friends @gmallamaci and @UCFB_Dan to the HQ of @FootballManager, a game they played 1000s of times We spoke to @milesSI and discovered fascinating little secrets of the legendary game •Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter •Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo •For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk 

    Pure Football Podcast with Peter Schmeichel

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2022 48:43


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem speaks to iconic former goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel. The former Manchester United stopper chats about Sir Alex of course, and his son Kasper, but also about elite mentality, his own fascinating past, and even Pep Guardiola. •Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter •Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo •For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Pure Football Podcast big interview: Jordi Cruyff

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2022 33:37


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem speaks to Jordi Cruyff. The now FC Barcelona Technical Secretary (advisor to the director of football) is one of the main men leading the club's revolution. Few men are better traveled in the world of football and he had one of the greatest minds to pick as a father of course in Johan Cruyff himself. •Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter •Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo •For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    What can Lampard learn from Rafa's Everton era?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2022 58:48


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem speaks on how Everton got to this stage of division and unhappiness, and what can be done... Including the role of the owners, board and the fans.   @mintisculture @USAToffeePod @TheScoutedHub @theesK Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    The Pure Football Podcast with Kate Abdo

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 50:58


    As part of the UCFB masterclasses, Guillem Balagué talks to English sports broadcaster, Kate Abdo, about her career in three countries, and what lessons she learnt working for Sky Germany, Sky Sports UK, CBS, TNT, Fox and presenting the FIFA Ballon d'Or. Guillem asked for a student to edit the podcast as a job experience and Kacper Narodzonek took up the challenge. Twitter: @KNarodzonek Instagram: @k.narodzonek Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter.

    Guillem & Eddie Howe on TalkSport

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 99:50


    A special thanks to TalkSport for hosting Guillem on this feature episode with Eddie Howe, talking about joining Newcastle United.

    The Pure Football Podcast with Santi Solari

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2021 39:18


    You've been listening to the Pure Football Podcast, with me Guillem Balague.  On this special episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem welcomes Santi Solari, the Argentine manager and former player as they discuss all things football. He also shares his thoughts on the difference between football in different countries and the excitement that surrounds them. Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter.

    The Pure Football Podcast with Avram Grant

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2021 38:55


    Manager Avram Grant joins Guillem on this week's Pure Football Podcast as they talk victories and all things managing national teams. From the Premiere League to the SuperLiga, they delve deep into the differences and difficulties that come with working with some of the worlds biggest clubs. Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter.    

    Gary Lineker on Diego Maradona

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 32:45


    On this special episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem welcomes Gary Lineker who shares his memories of Diego Maradona ahead of the release of Guillem's latest book. He also tells us about his interesting pre-match superstitions, how football has changed, and his thoughts on that Maradona goal. Maradona: The Boy. The Rebel. The God. Is available from 8th July. Purchase it here: http://smarturl.it/MaradonaBalague Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org

    Julen Lopetegui

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021 49:34


    Guillem is joined by Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui to discuss Euro 2020, the influence of Johan Cruyff on his management style, and the evolution of the role of the goalkeeper. Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org

    Domenec Torrent

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 43:28


    Ahead of the Champions League Final this week between Manchester City & Chelsea, Guillem welcomes Domenec Torrent, a former member of Pep Guardiola's staff at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. They discuss the evolution of Pep, Dome's own managerial ambitions, and predictions for the final. Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org

    Francis Coquelin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2021 37:58


    Guillem is joined by Villarreal's Francis Coquelin ahead of the Europa League semi-final second leg against his former team Arsenal. They discuss being managed by Arsene Wenger, Mikel Arteta's leadership skills, and what it was like moving to London to join the Gunners aged just 17. Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org

    Jan Oblak

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2021 41:30


    In this week's episode, we are joined by Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak. The Slovenian talks to Guillem about why he chose to be a goalkeeper, his inspirations when growing up, and the influence of his father, as well as the pressures of playing elite football. Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org

    The Future of Football

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2021 56:36


    What will football look like in 10 years? It's a big question but that's exactly what our guests this week will attempt to answer. In this fascinating conversation, Guillem is joined by Jan van Loon, Fran Moya, and Edu Rubio to discuss exactly what they believe football needs to do to adapt, as well the potential future role of the head coach and how players can take greater ownership in the evolution of the game. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org    

    Barcelona Presidential Elections - The Candidates

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 32:55


    The 2021 FC Barcelona presidential election will take place on 7th March 2021 for electing the 41st President of the club. Guillem spoke to the three candidates, asking them the same five questions that included the future of Leo Messi, what they think of the proposed European Super League, and are they on the verge of bankruptcy? In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org

    Julian Nagelsmann

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2021 29:11


    Guillem is joined by RB Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann ahead of their Champions League match against Liverpool. They discuss his early start in management and his coaching philosophy, getting the phone call to manage Real Madrid and a mutual love of jazzy shirts! In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org

    Jamie Carragher

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2021 48:04


    We have a special episode for you this week, Guillem speaks to his friend Jamie Carragher. The Liverpool legend discusses an incident involving Guillem which caused a bit of havoc, his thoughts on the future of the game, and whether he's Messi or Ronaldo. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org

    Cesc Fabregas - Can We Come In?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2021


    In this week's episode, Guillem visits Cesc Fabregas. The former Barcelona & Arsenal midfielder opened up to Guillem about his plans after football, a love of London, and the desire to reconnect with Arsene Wenger. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Pochettino arrives in Paris

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2021


    We have a special episode of the Pure Football Podcast this week. Mauricio Pochettino will shortly be announced as the manager of PSG. Guillem and Julien Laurens discuss what Pochettino will be hoping to create at the club, how he will manage a team with superstars Neymar and Mbappe, and whether they will be joined by Lionel Messi this summer. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Frédéric Kanouté - Can We Come In?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2020


    In this week's episode, Guillem visits Frédéric Kanouté. The striker discusses his faith, a love of London & the advice he would give to his younger self. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Andy Cole - Can We Come In?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2020


    In this week's episode, Guillem is welcomed in by Premier League legend Andy Cole. The treble-winning striker discusses his battle with his life-changing illness, the importance of his family, and why you won't find any of his own memorabilia in his home. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Max Aarons - Can We Come In?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2020


    In the first episode of our new series, Can We Come In?, Norwich City's Max Aarons welcomes us into his home as we find out more about the 20-year-old's life away from the game. Guillem & Max discuss the interest from Barcelona in the right-back, his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, and what he'd cook to impress his idol. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Francis Cagigao

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2020


    In his first public conversation since leaving his post as Arsenal's Head of International Scouting, Francis Cagigao talks to Guillem Balague about recommending the likes of Cesc Fabregas, his own career, being a Spanish Londoner and spending 24 years with the Gunners. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Spanish struggles in the Champions League

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2020


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague speaks to former Celta de Vigo assistant manager David Martinez in the aftermath of disappointing Spanish performances in the UEFA Champions League. Is Spanish dominance a thing of the past? In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Pep Guardiola's favourite songs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2020


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague talks music with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. This is a shortened version of a BBC Radio 5 Live Daily Podcast special which can still be downloaded in full on BBC Sounds. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Talking over tapas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2020


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague meets with Mikel Arteta, Hector Bellerin and Gaizka Mendieta, and chats with Juan Mata about life in Manchester, London and Oviedo. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    John Toshack

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague speaks to former Real Sociedad and Real Madrid coach John Toshack about his time in Spain and Portugal and almost taking over from Bob Paisley at Liverpool. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Barcelona's Dutch connection

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2020


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague meets a player old and new from Barcelona's long lineage of Netherlands internationals: Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and Frenkie De Jong. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Aitor Karanka

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2020


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague speaks to Aitor Karanka about his biggest influences in playing, coaching and life. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    World Cup Winners

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2020


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague speaks to Spanish FIFA World Cup 2010 winners David Villa and Xabi Alonso. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    The Future of Football

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020


    In this episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague speaks to sports executive Charlie Stillitano, elite coach Avram Grant and journalist Gabriele Marcotti about the next five years for football. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Covid-19 and the football industry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2020


    In this bonus episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague talks to agents Artur Fernandes and Marcelino Elena, and Leeds United Sporting Director Victor Orta, about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the football business. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Meeting Maradona

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2020


    In this bonus episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague revisits his Soccerex interview with Diego Maradona. We've translated the conversation into English with Semra Hunter standing in for El Diego. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Psychological Preparation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks to Brentford sports psychologist Michael Caulfield and former Arsenal player Lauren about the importance of the mind. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Diego Armando Maradona

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020


    In this very special episode of the Pure Football Podcast, Guillem Balague is joined in Buenos Aires by Sebastián Garciá, Sergio Levinsky, Sam Kelly, Esteban Bekerman and Santi Bauzá to talk about the great Diego Maradona. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Inside Liverpool

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks to Jürgen Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana about the roots of their success with Liverpool. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Coronavirus and Football

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2020


    The coronavirus pandemic is changing the world. Football isn't the most important thing right now, but it will also be affected. Guillem Balague talks to managers Carlos Carvalhal and Pep Clotet, sporting director Stuart Webber and Arsenal invincible Lauren about its impact. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    The Elite Mindset

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks to sports psychologist Bill Beswick and FC Bayern and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski about the mindset of sportspeople at the top of their game. In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

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