In this episode, we break down the sacking of Rúben Amorim, what went wrong during his time at Old Trafford, and why the problems at Manchester United feel deeper than any one manager. From tactical confusion and recruitment failures to fan frustration and an ongoing identity crisis, we ask the uncomfortable questions about where this club is really heading.

We’re joined by Paul Cocks, coach at Curzon Ashton and a regular at Old Trafford, who brings a unique perspective from both the touchline and the stands. Paul shares his views on Amorim’s tenure, the expectations placed on United managers, and what fans truly want to see from their team moving forward.

The conversation also dives into recruitment and squad building, the club’s approach to youth development, and the growing discussion around Kobbie Mainoo. To close, we run through a rapid-fire YES or NO on potential managerial candidates and ask the big question:

👉 Is this still a top-level job — or has the United merry-go-round become impossible to stop?

🎙️ Key Topics

✅ Ruben Amorim’s sacking and tactical approach

✅ Manchester United’s ongoing identity crisis

✅ Recruitment, squad building, and long-term planning

✅ Fan expectations and style of play

✅ Youth development & the Kobbie Mainoo dilemma

✅ Who should manage Manchester United next?

Whether you’re questioning the next managerial appointment, debating the club’s identity, or simply watching the latest chapter of the Manchester United merry-go-round unfold, this episode captures the pressure, frustration, and reality of life at one of football’s biggest clubs.

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments — and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow Pitchside Perspective for honest, in-depth conversations on football’s biggest moments, stories, and debates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this festive edition of Pitchside Perspective, we dive into the chaos, pressure, and traditions that make the Premier League’s Christmas period so unforgiving.

From balancing coaching insight with pure fan enjoyment to the magic of lower-league football at Christmas, we explore why this stretch of the season can define campaigns.

We then tackle the Premier League’s biggest talking points — unpacking Mo Salah’s comments and their impact on Liverpool, before breaking down where the club’s season has gone wrong, from recruitment to squad balance.

The debate continues with Arsenal’s title credentials, questioning whether youth and talent are enough under festive pressure, while Manchester City once again lurk, ready to capitalize when others slip.

We also assess the impact of AFCON, ongoing uncertainty at Manchester United, and what the future holds for Kobbie Mainoo, before closing with reflections on relegation battles, festive traditions, and the frustration of a diluted Boxing Day schedule.

Topics We Cover

✅ Why the festive period exposes squads and managers

✅ Coaching vs enjoyment: watching football through a tactical lens

✅ The appeal and importance of lower-league football

✅ Mo Salah’s comments and their impact on Liverpool

✅ Liverpool’s recruitment issues and season struggles

✅ Arsenal’s title challenge: youth, pressure, and experience

✅ Why Manchester City are always lurking

✅ AFCON’s impact on the Premier League

✅ Manchester United’s inconsistency and Kobbie Mainoo’s future

✅ Relegation battles, team spirit, and Boxing Day traditions

Whether you’re analysing the title race, fighting for survival, or simply soaking up the festive football schedule, this episode captures the pressure, emotion, and reality of the Premier League at Christmas.

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments — and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow Pitchside Perspective for in-depth conversations on the game’s biggest moments, stories, and debates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Pitchside Perspective, we sit down with Werner Roth — US Soccer Hall of Famer, former New York Cosmos captain, NASL trailblazer, and co-star in Escape to Victory — to explore one of the most remarkable chapters in U.S. soccer history. ⚽🎬

From playing alongside Pelé to leading one of the most star-studded teams the sport has ever seen, Werner shares firsthand stories about the rise of the Cosmos, the transformation of American soccer, and what it took to navigate a locker room full of global icons. This is a rare look behind the scenes of a league that helped shape the modern game in the United States.

Werner also reflects on leadership, culture, and the importance of humility when guiding superstars — and reveals how an unexpected opportunity led him from the pitch to Hollywood.

Topics We Cover:

✅ Pelé’s impact on American soccer and the NASL

✅ What made the Cosmos a cultural phenomenon

✅ Leadership lessons from captaining a team of legends

✅ How the NASL changed the trajectory of U.S. soccer

✅ The evolution of soccer ownership and the modern game

✅ Werner’s journey into acting & filming Escape to Victory

✅ The future of U.S. soccer — and the case for promotion & relegation

Whether you’re passionate about soccer history, fascinated by Pelé’s legacy, or simply love hearing stories from the pioneers who built the game in America, this episode delivers insight, nostalgia, and inspiration in equal measure.

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments — and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more conversations that explore the past, present, and future of the beautiful game.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.