It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.Today co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper speak of the remarkable journey of Harry Kane, who recently clinched the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich; the first trophy in his career. Recounting his early days at Arsenal youth, to multiple rejections, and loan spells that nearly derailed his career, the episode highlights Kane’s undeterred determination and resilience. Discover how pivotal moments and key influences, such as Mauricio Pochettino and a documentary on Tom Brady, transformed him into one of football’s greatest strikers. We end with a quiz, as Rob tests Jonathan's knowledge of British and Irish players who won major league titles abroad!00:00 Introduction: A Childhood Memory00:35 The Arsenal Release: A Turning Point00:43 Celebrating Harry Kane's Achievements01:02 The Early Struggles and Resilience02:36 Harry Kane's Background and Family03:06 Youth Football Journey05:38 Challenges and Determination14:27 Loan Spells and Growth18:40 Millwall Experience and Growing Up21:34 Norwich Loan: A Tough Period27:16 Unexpected Laughter and Player Comparisons28:02 Struggles at Leicester City29:36 Turning Point: The Tom Brady Inspiration31:13 Breakthrough Under Sherwood32:33 Skepticism and Early Success35:04 Pochettino's Influence and Physical Transformation38:36 Near Misses and Final Disappointments43:12 Legacy and Comparisons with Other Greats47:43 Quiz on British and Irish Players Abroad52:59 Conclusion and Reflections on Harry Kane's Career

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.In this week’s episode, we turn our attention to Liverpool’s extraordinary journey through their history, culminating in Arne Slot’s Premier League title-winning side.Co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper trace the club’s legacy from its early 20th-century triumphs to modern-day glory. They explore the tactical revolutions under legendary managers like Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, the brilliance of iconic players in Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush, and the resurgence under Jürgen Klopp. The episode also highlights how Arne Slot has carried that legacy forward, building on the foundations laid by his predecessors.Where does the 2024/25 Liverpool title winners rank amongst the club's greatest ever teams? Get in touch with @ItWasPod on X to let us know!00:00 Introduction to Liverpool's Journey01:42 Early Liverpool Champions: 1901-192302:42 The Impact of Tom Watson06:24 Liverpool's Defensive Strengths07:46 Post-War Liverpool: Nutrition and Success08:46 The Rise of Billy Liddell10:17 Jack Balmer's Unlikely Heroics15:20 Liverpool's First Five Titles16:34 Bill Shankly's Legacy20:55 Bob Paisley's Tactical Brilliance26:18 Liverpool's Dominance in the Late 70s27:12 Liverpool's Dominant Back Four27:52 Dalglish vs. Keegan: Who's Better?29:08 The Greatest Liverpool Side of All Time?29:54 European Cup Draw and Unfortunate Knockout33:29 Transition to the Kenny Dalglish Era37:53 Impact of Hillsborough and the 1989 Season41:55 Liverpool's Modern Era and Klopp's Influence46:46 Future Prospects and Final Thoughts

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Liverpool wrapped up their 20th English league title at the weekend, so today co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper focus on the fascinating career of manager Arne Slot who has won the Premier League at his first attempt at Anfield. Beginning with his unique upbringing in a football-centric Dutch Bible Belt town, we explore how watching his father coach from a young age shaped Slot's tactical mind, travel through his early playing days, his reputation as a tactician, and his impressive managerial stints that led him to win the Eredivisie with Feyenoord and now the Premier League with Liverpool. On Friday, Jonathan and Rob will assess where Slot's Liverpool title winners sit in Liverpool's glorious history.00:00 Introduction: A Coach's Son00:40 Early Life and Background of Arne Slot01:26 The Dutch Football Culture03:01 Influence of Johan Cruyff and Total Football05:02 Arne Slot's Youth and Early Football Education07:11 Professional Career Beginnings13:40 Tactical Innovations and Coaching Philosophy21:58 The Early Coaching Journey of Arne Slot23:14 Challenges and Successes at Cambuur25:56 Influence of Pep Guardiola and Data Analytics29:10 Rise at AZ Alkmaar34:43 Success at Feyenoord and Coaching Style43:45 Legacy and Future Prospects

Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.It's time for Part Two of Pep vs Jose! As Barcelona and Inter prepare to face off once again in this year’s Champions League semi-final, we look back at the original - a tie that shaped modern football.Guardiola vs Mourinho. All-out attack vs. tactical defiance. Ideology, rivalry - maybe even good vs. evil?Fifteen years ago, Pep’s all-conquering Barcelona met Jose's Inter Milan in a Champions League semi-final that didn’t just decide who reached the final - it helped define a footballing era.Having set the scene in part one, Rob and Jonathan relive the incredible semi-final battles, where Mourinho would ultimately dethrone Guardiola in an incredible second-leg at the Nou Camp - which saw a controversial sending off, late drama and an iconic pitch celebration.If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate.00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene00:45 The Clash of Philosophies: Mourinho vs. Guardiola01:32 The Tactical Battle Begins04:32 The Volcano Eruption and Its Impact10:24 First Leg Highlights and Analysis13:18 Ibrahimović's Conflict and Mourinho's Mind Games18:06 The Build-Up to the Second Leg25:23 The Myth of the Decision25:41 The Controversial Red Card26:54 Conspiracy Theories and Psychological Influence27:52 The Clash of Good vs. Evil28:34 Tactical Fouling and Pep's Cynical Side29:59 Marina's Critique of Barcelona's Tactics31:37 Inter's Defensive Masterclass34:13 The Struggle Against Possession Football36:38 The Final Moments and Disallowed Goal40:03 Marino's Triumphant Celebration43:16 The Aftermath and Legacy46:43 The Tactical Evolution in Football48:58 The Importance of Non-Possession Football50:28 Conclusion and Reflections

Welcome to It Was What It Was.As Barcelona and Inter prepare to face off once again in this year’s Champions League semi-final, we look back at the original - a tie that shaped modern football.Pep Guardiola vs. José Mourinho. All-out attack vs. tactical defiance. Ideology, rivalry - maybe even good vs. evil?Fifteen years ago, Pep’s all-conquering Barcelona met Mourinho’s Inter Milan in a Champions League semi-final that didn’t just decide who reached the final - it helped define a footballing era.In Part One, Rob and Jonathan set the scene: how Mourinho’s Inter came to challenge the most dominant team in the world, the tactics he used, the battles he fought in Italy, and how both sides arrived at this collision point chasing domestic and European glory.Part Two drops Friday, where Rob and Jonathan break down the epic semi-final itself.00:00 Barcelona's Football Perfection01:48 Mourinho vs. Guardiola: A Rivalry Begins02:47 The Dark Side of Mourinho03:25 Star Wars Analogies and Football Tactics06:53 Mourinho's Seven-Point Plan07:45 Mourinho's Philosophy and Evolution08:43 Mourinho's Journey to Inter Milan09:58 Cultural Expectations and Pragmatic Football12:23 Mourinho's Press Conference Antics13:44 Mourinho's Linguistic Brilliance14:49 Mourinho's Training Philosophy20:04 Key Matches and Tactical Shifts21:16 Mourinho's First Season at Inter22:27 Transfer Drama: Stars on the Move23:51 Barcelona's Dominance and Challenges26:40 Inter's Journey to the Semifinals28:57 Mourinho's Tactical Mastery32:29 Controversies and Confrontations40:24 The Road to the Semifinals43:57 Setting the Stage for the Epic Semifinal

Welcome back to It Was What It Was. It's time for part two of our look at the unexpected role a horse would play in the controversial takeover of Manchester United by the Glazer family. The episode covers the period of the Glazer acquisition, the impact of their ownership, and the financial manoeuvres that transformed the club. From Alex Ferguson's complicated relationship with the Glazers to the missed opportunities and recruitment challenges that followed, this episode gives an in-depth look at how Manchester United's fate was sealed - and the horse that might have started it all!00:00 The Decline of Manchester United: A 20-Year Journey00:20 Introduction to the Football History Podcast00:48 The Gibraltar Incident and Its Fallout01:26 The Glazers' Takeover: A Turning Point02:24 The Financial Strategy of the Glazers02:54 The Early Signs of Trouble03:58 The Glazers' Background and Business Practices04:48 The Impact of Global Capital on Football06:24 The Glazers' Vision and Strategy08:43 The Financial Mechanics of the Takeover10:41 The Role of Debt in Modern Football11:54 The Glazers' Financial Maneuvering14:32 The Aftermath and Long-Term Consequences16:15 The Glazers' Legacy and Future Implications18:26 The Financial Crisis and Its Impact on Football20:57 The Leveraged Buyout Explained22:52 The Final Stages of the Takeover30:47 The Glazer Takeover and Initial Success31:17 Fan Protests and Opposition34:52 Financial Strain and Missed Opportunities37:32 The Role of Ed Woodward43:18 Transfer Market Failures46:15 Managerial Missteps53:37 The Glazers' Disconnect and Conclusion