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


    • Jul 23, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 40 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Pure Football Podcast

    Thomas Frank

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2021


    Brentford head coach Thomas Frank joins Guillem, Vicki & Charlotte on this week's Pure Football Podcast. Thomas gives us an insight into his coaching methods, the importance of managing his energy, and how he's preparing for life in the Premier League this season. Follow @purefootballpod on Twitter.In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Gary Lineker on Diego Maradona

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021


    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/MaradonaBalagueFollow @purefootballpod on Twitter.In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Julen Lopetegui

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021


    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 Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Domenec Torrent

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021


    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 Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Francis Coquelin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2021


    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 Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Jan Oblak

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2021


    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 Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    The Future of Football

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2021


    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 Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Barcelona Presidential Elections - The Candidates

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021


    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 Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Julian Nagelsmann

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2021


    Guillem is joined by RB Leipzig manager 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 Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Jamie Carragher

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2021


    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 Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    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

    Series 2 Announcement!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2020


    This Thursday is the return of the Pure Football Podcast. We’ll be launching a new series ‘Can We Come In’ where we will get to know our guests a little better by (virtually) taking a look around their home.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 9, 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 26, 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 19, 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 12, 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 5, 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 22, 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

    Thinking Inside the Box

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks to AC Milan goalkeeper Asmir Begović and former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne about the mindset required to thrive in football’s unique position.In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Managing England

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks to two of the coaches asked to lead English national teams - Gareth Southgate and Eddie Jones - about the opportunities and challenges that come with managing England.In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Legends of Liverpool

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks to two managers who’ve won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool - Juergen Klopp and Rafa Benitez - about the incredible comebacks that led to glory. Later, he’s joined by Pako Ayestarán to talk about his work with Benitez on Merseyside.In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Inside Manchester City

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks to Pablo Zabaleta, Nick Cushing and Simon Davies about the building of a new superclub at Manchester City. Later, he’s joined by Gabriele Marcotti, Rafael Honigstein and Norwich City Sporting Director Stuart Webber to analyse the influence of City manager Pep Guardiola.In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    The Will to Win

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks to former Real Madrid coach Santi Solari about his time at one of the world’s most famous football clubs. Later, he talks about the will to win renowned sports psychologist Bill Beswick.In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Icons in the Making

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks to two football icons in the making: Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, who’s not far from being an icon already, and Martin Ødegaard, who’s much earlier on in his journey.In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    Gary Neville on Manchester United

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2020


    Guillem Balague talks to Gary Neville about life inside one of the world’s most iconic football clubs. Later, he’s joined by Gabriele Marcotti and Rafael Honigstein to assess the causes and implications of United’s more recent fortunes.In partnership with GentingBet. 18+ begambleaware.org Podcast cover image by Maribel Herruzo. For all podcast enquiries please email george@blueprintsports.co.uk

    What Would Johan Do?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2020


    Guillem Balague speaks about the iconic Johan Cruyff with his son, Jordi, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Nayim, who reveals the other side of Johan from his time at Barcelona.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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