From coming through the ranks at Hibernian to winning trophies and playing Champions League football with Rangers, former Scotland midfielder Kevin Thomson joins us to look back on a career full of big moments and bigger characters. He lifts the lid on life under Walter Smith, including receiving the famous hairdryer treatment, along with the highs, the injuries and the lessons learned along the way. From dressing rooms to dugouts via a stint in management with Kelty Hearts, Kevin tells us what it really takes to survive at the top of the game.
After managing for nearly 1000games the former Ayr United, Partick Thistle and Dundee United gaffer talks us through his career across Scottish Football. From signing for Graeme Souness Rangers to starting his management career at Clydebank to getting sacked after receiving a standing ovation at Ibrox, Ian has seen it all and in this great episode he tells us exactly how it all happened.
Former Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Leeds United defender Stephen Warnock sits down to reflect on his footballing career. He opens up about the highs and lows of his playing days, including when his entire team found themselves locked up in the cells, when Big Sam handed him his credit card plus his PIN number and the dramatic story of when Liverpool wanted him to return to Anfield and why it didn’t happen.
One of football’s most iconic voices joins Craig and Amy for a revealing and often hilarious journey through life behind the mic. From reporting on Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough to rubbing shoulders with Bill Shankly, Graeme Souness and Sir Alex Ferguson, Clive lifts the lid on the moments that shaped his career and shares the one line of commentary he never said… but wishes he had
Kemar Roofe joins Craig and Amy for an honest, lively and surprising look back at the moments that shaped his career. From breaking through at Oxford to playing under Marcelo Bielsa, Vincent Kompany and Steven Gerrard, Roofe reveals the standards, the pressure and the mindset behind his best football. He lifts the lid on “Murderball” training, that infamous Leeds spying incident, and the family support that kept him grounded long before he reached the Premier League or Rangers.
Joining Craig and Amy is the irrepressible Martin Allen. In a brilliantly funny and fascinating interview the former Brentford, Leicester City and Barnet gaffer reveals his unique man-management style (less said about the wine gum the better), how his upbringing influenced him plus the treat he gave his players that turned them into little boys on Christmas Day.
From missiles to Millwall chants. Iain Dowie joins Craig and Amy for a hilarious and surprisingly emotional journey through his unique footballing life. From testing weapons to scoring goals (and one unforgettable own goal), Dowie’s career is anything but ordinary. Which manager made players throw up in training? What happened when he tried to reason with a Millwall fan? And how did he end up cleaning up takeaway leftovers in a Premier League flat? Plus, he faces the dreaded WHEEL OF TRUTH. Will he survive?
Football’s BIGGEST cult hero. Literally. Adebayo Akinfenwa joins Craig and Amy for a laugh-out-loud chat about his career, his unforgettable managers, and the moments that made him a legend. Which manager stripped off during team talks? What was it like leaving home at 18 to play in Lithuania? And will he dare face the dreaded WHEEL OF TRUTH?WARNING: This episode contains strong language and some offensive language reflecting Adebayo’s real experiences of racism while playing in Lithuania.
Twenty years to the day since Vladimir Romanov sensationally sacked George Burley, despite Hearts sitting top of the league and unbeaten, Robbie Neilson joins us to reveal what life was really like under the chaotic Lithuanian regime.He also reflects on playing under Sven-Göran Eriksson, recalls Craig Levein’s blunt words of encouragement when he was “sacked in the morning”, and explains what it’s like working at the very bottom of the City Football Group pyramid.If you want to hear more about Vladimir Romanov’s rise from submariner to millionaire football owner to wanted man, search Romanov: Czar of Hearts wherever you get your podcasts.
How do you bring Manchester United back to their former glory?Legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel joins Craig Levein and Amy Irons for a fascinating chat about where Manchester United have lost their way and what he’d do to put it right. Peter also reflects on his pride in his son Kasper, reveals how Eric Cantona inspired his teammates from the moment he walked into training, and becomes the first guest to face THE WHEEL OF TRUTH!
From “Aguerooooo!” to “And it’s live!”, Martin Tyler joins Craig and Amy for a deep dive into the life behind the voice that defined the Premier League. In this episode, the legendary commentator opens up about his decades in the gantry, the moments that made history, and the lines that still get shouted at him in the street. We also hear about his time coaching in non-league football and his joy at being still part of the game.Get in touch with us via sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71
From battling for midfield dominance to battling for his life, Stiliyan Petrov joins Craig and Amy for a powerful episode of Sacked in the Morning. The Celtic and Aston Villa legend opens up about his rise from Montana and CSKA Sofia to becoming a fan favourite in Glasgow and Birmingham. He shares stories of playing under Martin O’Neill, recovering from a brutal leg break, and his unforgettable fight against leukemia. With honesty, humour, and heart, Stiliyan reflects on leadership, resilience, and the dressing room dynamics that shaped his career.Get in touch with us via sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71
Cult hero, enforcer, and all-round warrior Pasquale Bruno joins Craig and Amy for a fiery episode of Sacked in the Morning. From clashing with Maradona and Van Basten in Serie A to being nicknamed “The Animal” for his no-nonsense defending, Pasquale shares incredible stories from a career built on grit, passion, and pure chaos. He opens up about life under managers like Dino Zoff and Claudio Ranieri, his move to Scotland and the Hearts dressing room, and how his final ever professional appearance came at Central Park in Fife.Get in touch with us via sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71.
Cult hero, podcaster, and all-round maverick Jon Parkin joins Craig and Amy for a brilliantly chaotic episode of Sacked in the Morning. From crashing golf buggies before a friendly against Real Madrid to pole dancing in Krakow three days after knee surgery, Jon shares outrageous tales from a career that was anything but ordinary. He also opens up about the managers who tried (and failed) to change him, the pranks that got him in trouble, and why Tony Pulis just liked having him around.Get in touch with us via sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71
Just months after leaving Rangers, Philippe Clément joins Craig and Amy for an honest and timely episode of Sacked in the Morning. In an in-depth interview Philippe reflects on the whirlwind of his time in Glasgow, from silverware and title races to boardroom upheaval and the pressure of managing one of football’s most demanding clubs.He opens up about the challenges of squad building without investment, the emotional toll of leading through instability, and the moment he found out he’d lost his job, from journalists, not the club. With clarity and candour, Philippe shares what it’s really like to manage Rangers under the spotlight, and why, despite everything, he still holds deep affection for the club and its fans.Get in touch with us via sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71
Julian Dicks - West Ham legend, former Liverpool defender, and self-proclaimed non-league gaffer, joins Craig and Amy for a no-nonsense episode of Sacked in the Morning. From being told he’d never play again at 22 to earning the nickname “The Terminator,” Julian opens up about the brutal injuries, the boozy rehab, and the unforgettable characters he’s met along the way. Expect tales of firecrackers in hotel bathrooms, a bath-time prank gone very wrong, and what he told Tottenham Hotspur when they tried to sign him.Get in touch with us via sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71
Just how close is Football Manager the game to being a Football manager in real-life?Comedian, podcaster, and self-proclaimed “virtual touchline legend” Jamie Hutchinson joins Craig and Amy for a brilliantly chaotic episode of Sacked in the Morning. From getting sacked in both real life and Football Manager to a virtual divorce in Portugal, Jamie’s tales are as outrageous as they are hilarious. He also reveals how he turned Owen Garvan into a Ballon d’Or winner, why he fined Alan Shearer into retirement, and what it’s like managing Atalanta with a Dubai hedge fund breathing down your neck.Get in touch with us via sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71
Football coach, podcaster, and all-round storyteller Si Ferry joins Craig and Amy for one of the funniest episodes of Sacked in the Morning yet. From toilet trouble mid-match to getting called a “little piggy” by Paolo Di Canio, Si serves up outrageous, no-holds-barred tales from his playing days.Get in touch with us via sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71**Contains some strong language and adult themes**
Craig Levein and Amy Irons are back with listener emails, messages for Craig, and a brand-new way for you to get in touch with the show… which can only mean one thing: Craig’s got some fresh scripting to (reluctantly) learn.
Double European Cup winner Viv Anderson sits down with Craig and Amy to relive an extraordinary career spent under some of football’s most iconic managers. From breaking through under the legendary Brian Clough as a teenager, to being signed by a little-known Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, and representing England under the great Sir Bobby Robson — Viv shares the stories, lessons, and personalities behind a life at the top of the game.
Premier League legend Andy Cole joins Craig and Amy for a candid look back at his incredible career. From banging in goals under Kevin Keegan’s swashbuckling Newcastle side to the moment he realised the true scale of Manchester United, Andy shares the highs, the challenges, and the lessons learned. He also opens up about life after playing — and his steps into the world of coaching.
Ever heard the story about how Alastair Campbell found himself playing football with Diego Maradona?In a fantastic episode, former Downing Street Press Secretary and top podcaster himself Alastair Campbell joins Craig and Amy to chat about leadership. What we didn't expect was to hear how he shared a pitch with arguably the greatest footballer that ever lived, how he was asked to give a team talk to the British Lions Rugby team and he reveals how he broke some bones as a child.CONTAINS SOME STRONG LANGUAGE
**CONTAINS INJURY DETAIL**Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders joins Craig Levein and Amy Irons for a riotous journey through his career. Get ready for the worst injury he has EVER witnessed and we have EVER heard, what he would do each season to guarantee himself at least 18 goals plus that time he watched Graeme Souness plant a flag into the opposition's centre circle in one of the most heated football matches around the world.As ever we also want to hear from you, got a great story? Most embarrassing moment? Worst ever injury? Greatest sporting achievement? Let us know - sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk
After more than 6 months away Craig Levein and Amy Irons are back to reveal when the podcast is returning and just why they've been away so long. A story that involves a trip to A&E, a nativity play and 'Pimp My Ride'...oh the devil makes an appearance too!We also want you to be even more involved in the podcast so we’re expanding our listeners questions to literally anything. Maybe there’s something you have going on in your life and you want advice from Craig? Let us know. Of course we will have merch to give away for the best ones.Here's some suggestions to get your started....Any random encounters with footballers or famous people? Football Room 101….what's the one thing about football that really gets you annoyed The most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you? Have you ever been sacked? What did you do? Why did you get in trouble in School? The worst date you have ever been on?email them and anything else to sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.ukThis podcast contains some strong language and adult themes!
Former Celtic and Everton defender Alan Stubbs on celebrations, making mistakes and Martin O’Neill.
West Ham, Leicester and England striker Tony Cottee on team spirit, motivation and playing against his window cleaner.
Liverpool and Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton on luck, Jack Charlton and jogging in the sauna.
Legendary goalkeeper Alan Rough on World Cups, wages and Ben Doak.
Taskmaster Alex Horne on promotion, job swaps and the joys of non-league football.
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon talks imposter syndrome, fighting Dennis Bergkamp and Arsene Wenger's new windows.
