Episodes

  • Kick Off's World Cup Preview

    Kick Off's World Cup Preview
    Nov 18 2022
    Just days away from the 2022 World Cup, Kick Off brings you its preview.Starting with England, Bruno and Fergus consider whether Southgate's squad has what it takes to win. Expectations will be high, so what makes this England team stand out when compared to the sides of other nations?Bruno and Fergus then preview Wales' first World Cup since 1958, talking Welsh expectations, the key battle in Group B, and Gareth Bale's preparation for the tournament.They then move on to analyse the favourites for the tournament. Will 'winner's syndrome' be the greatest threat to France retaining the crown? Do Brazil have the most complete squad in the tournament? And would Lionel Messi not winning with Argentina be one of football's greatest disappointments?Bruno and Fergus end the show, in customary Kick Off fashion, by predicting their end-of-tournament awards. Listen to hear their picks for the tournament's dark horse, biggest team disappointment, breakout talent, and the most important question of all: who will win the World Cup?

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    51 mins
  • Kick Off Series 4 Episode 4: Institutional Failings

    Kick Off Series 4 Episode 4: Institutional Failings
    Nov 11 2022
    Ahead of the Premier League's final weekend before the World Cup break, Kick Off is back to analyse all the action.Bruno and Fergus begin by discussing Hasenhuttl's Southampton sacking, talking the club's transfer strategy and what Nathan Jones could bring to the Premier League. They also discuss the future of Liverpool's ownership: could ownership uncertainty impact Klopp's team, and how can we assess the FSG model? There is also discussion on the race for the top four, and Arsenal's title charge.Bruno and Fergus then discuss their picks for England's World Cup squad. And, in Fergie Time, they discuss the dangers of Qatar as a host nation for the imminent World Cup and the failings of FIFA and the FA.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Kick Off With Paul McCarthy

    Kick Off With Paul McCarthy
    Oct 17 2022
    This week, Bruno and Fergus sit down with esteemed sports writer Paul McCarthy to discuss his new book 'Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League'.They begin by discussing the conception of the Premier League, including how it has changed over 30 years. Was Manchester United's title win in the inaugural season their most important in the Premier League era? How did Eric Cantona revolutionise English football? And how could the Premier League recognise Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements to a greater extent?Paul then talks about the importance of Arsène Wenger, and how Abramovich's arrival transformed English football. Bruno and Fergus end by asking Paul about the dangers of Premier League ownership models, as Paul gives his view on whether the Premier League should support the football pyramid to a greater extent.Photo credits: Shaun Boterill-Getty Images/Colorsport

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    59 mins
  • Kick Off with Charlie Savage

    Kick Off with Charlie Savage
    Aug 31 2022
    In this special episode, Kick Off sits down with Manchester United's academy prospect Charlie Savage for an in-depth interview.Savage begins by telling Bruno and Fergus about his journey from being scouted to becoming part of Manchester United's academy, including the difficulties of academy football. But what was it like making his debut at Old Trafford? And does he feel any pressure being Robbie Savage's son?Charlie also talks Rangnick, Ten Hag, Manchester United's pre-season tour, Ronaldo, and Wales. And does he know his plans for the upcoming season?Photo credits: FourFourTwo

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    27 mins
  • Kick Off Series 4 Episode 1: The Ultimate Premier League Preview

    Kick Off Series 4 Episode 1: The Ultimate Premier League Preview
    Aug 5 2022
    The Premier League is back, and so is Kick Off! Bruno and Fergus return to bring you a prediction extravaganza ahead of the new season.Have Nottingham Forest invested wisely, or do the squad overhauls of newly-promoted sides in the past point towards failure? The survival task for Fulham and Bournemouth could be an uphill battle, but both sides have the potential to surprise. (2:17 - 14:23)With Everton and Leeds flirting with relegation last season, do they feature in Kick Off's tips for relegation? Is Lampard under more pressure now than last season? And one Premier League team who impressed last season is tipped to be dragged into a relegation fight. (14:23 - 24:32)Kick Off chooses Aston Villa, Newcastle, and West Ham as interesting prospects to look out for. Could one of these teams realistically break the top six mould? (24:32 - 32:30)Bruno and Fergus then predict the race for the top four. Despite Fergus explaining why Cristiano Ronaldo should leave Manchester United, there is optimism ahead of the new season. Arsenal may have already missed their opportunity for Champions League football, but Antonio Conte's Spurs will be a force to be reckoned with. At Chelsea, why does a Thomas Tuchel implosion feel imminent? (32:30 - 51:06)Manchester City and Liverpool will be battling for the title again. Does Erling Haaland have to be an instant success? Could Liverpool's hurt from missing out last season drive them to have the extra edge? And who does Kick Off predict to win the title? (51:15 - 1:00:41)Finally, in Fergie Time, Bruno and Fergus predict the End of Season Awards. Who is predicted to be the Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, top scorer, Manager of the Year, and Flop of the Season? (1:01:10 - 1:16:21)

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Kick Off Series 3 Episode 11: A Grandstand Finish

    Kick Off Series 3 Episode 11: A Grandstand Finish
    May 21 2022
    Kick Off is back to preview an exciting final matchday in the Premier League!Bruno and Fergus begin at the bottom of the table. After Everton's dramatic midweek win, has a change of culture been more important than any improvement to the team on the pitch? Leeds and Burnley fight for top-flight status, but what overriding factor has cost Leeds recently, and has sacking Dyche been vindicated for Burnley?Attention then turns to the battle for European football. Manchester United are playing for pride, but Fergus suggests securing Europa League status could be pivotal to West Ham in the long-term future. How has Conte revolutionised Spurs? And, if Arsenal finish without Champions League football, is the club at risk of falling behind?Then, Bruno and Fergus build up to a crucial day in the title race. Could Gerrard's Aston Villa seriously spoil Manchester City's parade? Has Klopp been THE decisive factor in Liverpool's title push? And, if Manchester City end the season without silverware, will their sheer brilliance be swept under the carpet?Finally, to end the show, it's End of Season Awards in Fergie Time.

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    56 mins
  • Kick Off Series 3 Episode 10: Will Football Redefine Premier League Ownership?

    Kick Off Series 3 Episode 10: Will Football Redefine Premier League Ownership?
    Mar 21 2022
    As Chelsea moves towards a new era of ownership, Kick Off analyses the future of the club. Can Chelsea become the model for a community and fan-led club? And how long can Tuchel's side continue performing under pressure?Bruno and Fergus also discuss the title race. Which team is in the better position: top-of-the-table Manchester City or momentum-charged Liverpool? Is the rivalry between these two clubs the greatest we have seen in Premier League history? Fergus also takes apart Manchester United's season - but what is the solution for re-building the club next season?Focus then turns to the international break. Bruno and Fergus talk Italy and Portugal's potential battle for World Cup qualification, and Fergus suggests integration for England's younger players would be a sign of success for Southgate this international break.Finally, in this week's Fergie Time feature, Bruno and Fergus return to the question of Premier League ownership. Is the Premier League finally re-evaluating the people that run its clubs?

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    59 mins
  • Kick Off Series 3 Episode 9: Does Football Still Have Political Power?

    Kick Off Series 3 Episode 9: Does Football Still Have Political Power?
    Mar 3 2022
    As political events intensify through Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Bruno and Fergus discuss how the world of football has responded. FIFA has banned all Russian teams from the sport, but does football still have political power? What about the future of Chelsea Football Club? And is the media demonising football fans?Also on the show, Bruno and Fergus assess the Premier League's relegation battle. Marcelo Bielsa's departure from Leeds felt necessary, but can we expect Jesse Marsch's style of football to make an instant impact? Norwich's clash with Brentford is a must-win for both teams, but how much of a role could refereeing failures in Everton's recent game vs Manchester City play in this relegation dogfight? And in this week's Fergie Time feature, Fergus asks us which is the worst ever team to win The Champions League? Liverpool, Marseille, and Chelsea are all under consideration.

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    43 mins