Episodios

  • The Man Behind Liverpool’s 20th Title - Arne Slot’s story
    Apr 29 2025

    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 Son

    00:40 Early Life and Background of Arne Slot

    01:26 The Dutch Football Culture

    03:01 Influence of Johan Cruyff and Total Football

    05:02 Arne Slot's Youth and Early Football Education

    07:11 Professional Career Beginnings

    13:40 Tactical Innovations and Coaching Philosophy

    21:58 The Early Coaching Journey of Arne Slot

    23:14 Challenges and Successes at Cambuur

    25:56 Influence of Pep Guardiola and Data Analytics

    29:10 Rise at AZ Alkmaar

    34:43 Success at Feyenoord and Coaching Style

    43:45 Legacy and Future Prospects

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    47 m
  • Barcelona vs Inter: Pep, José, and the Semi-Final That Defined an Era – Part Two
    Apr 25 2025

    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 Scene

    00:45 The Clash of Philosophies: Mourinho vs. Guardiola

    01:32 The Tactical Battle Begins

    04:32 The Volcano Eruption and Its Impact

    10:24 First Leg Highlights and Analysis

    13:18 Ibrahimović's Conflict and Mourinho's Mind Games

    18:06 The Build-Up to the Second Leg

    25:23 The Myth of the Decision

    25:41 The Controversial Red Card

    26:54 Conspiracy Theories and Psychological Influence

    27:52 The Clash of Good vs. Evil

    28:34 Tactical Fouling and Pep's Cynical Side

    29:59 Marina's Critique of Barcelona's Tactics

    31:37 Inter's Defensive Masterclass

    34:13 The Struggle Against Possession Football

    36:38 The Final Moments and Disallowed Goal

    40:03 Marino's Triumphant Celebration

    43:16 The Aftermath and Legacy

    46:43 The Tactical Evolution in Football

    48:58 The Importance of Non-Possession Football

    50:28 Conclusion and Reflections

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

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    51 m
  • Barcelona vs Inter: Pep, José, and the Era-Defining Semi-Final - Part One
    Apr 22 2025

    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 Perfection

    01:48 Mourinho vs. Guardiola: A Rivalry Begins

    02:47 The Dark Side of Mourinho

    03:25 Star Wars Analogies and Football Tactics

    06:53 Mourinho's Seven-Point Plan

    07:45 Mourinho's Philosophy and Evolution

    08:43 Mourinho's Journey to Inter Milan

    09:58 Cultural Expectations and Pragmatic Football

    12:23 Mourinho's Press Conference Antics

    13:44 Mourinho's Linguistic Brilliance

    14:49 Mourinho's Training Philosophy

    20:04 Key Matches and Tactical Shifts

    21:16 Mourinho's First Season at Inter

    22:27 Transfer Drama: Stars on the Move

    23:51 Barcelona's Dominance and Challenges

    26:40 Inter's Journey to the Semifinals

    28:57 Mourinho's Tactical Mastery

    32:29 Controversies and Confrontations

    40:24 The Road to the Semifinals

    43:57 Setting the Stage for the Epic Semifinal

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    45 m
  • The Horse That Changed Manchester United: The Glazer Takeover - Part Two
    Apr 18 2025

    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 Journey

    00:20 Introduction to the Football History Podcast

    00:48 The Gibraltar Incident and Its Fallout

    01:26 The Glazers' Takeover: A Turning Point

    02:24 The Financial Strategy of the Glazers

    02:54 The Early Signs of Trouble

    03:58 The Glazers' Background and Business Practices

    04:48 The Impact of Global Capital on Football

    06:24 The Glazers' Vision and Strategy

    08:43 The Financial Mechanics of the Takeover

    10:41 The Role of Debt in Modern Football

    11:54 The Glazers' Financial Maneuvering

    14:32 The Aftermath and Long-Term Consequences

    16:15 The Glazers' Legacy and Future Implications

    18:26 The Financial Crisis and Its Impact on Football

    20:57 The Leveraged Buyout Explained

    22:52 The Final Stages of the Takeover

    30:47 The Glazer Takeover and Initial Success

    31:17 Fan Protests and Opposition

    34:52 Financial Strain and Missed Opportunities

    37:32 The Role of Ed Woodward

    43:18 Transfer Market Failures

    46:15 Managerial Missteps

    53:37 The Glazers' Disconnect and Conclusion

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

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    58 m
  • The Horse That Changed Manchester United - Part One with David Walsh
    Apr 15 2025

    Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast.


    In today's episode, hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by journalist David Walsh to explore how the modern fortunes of Manchester United are intertwined with one of the greatest racehorses in history.


    This is the extraordinary story of Rock of Gibraltar, the famed racehorse part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson - and how his connections and relationships with John Magnier, and JP McManus would ultimately impact the Glazers' takeover of Manchester United.


    David Walsh shares insider details from his investigative work on the story, making this one of the most fascinating sports sagas of recent times.


    Tune in on Friday for part two, and the implications of the Glazers' takeover - and Manchester United's decline.


    00:00 The Tale of the Lost Kingdom

    00:25 Introduction to the Podcast and Special Guest

    00:35 The Story of Rock of Gibraltar

    01:25 David Walsh's Insights

    02:28 The Connection Between Sir Alex Ferguson and John Magner

    07:36 The Rise of Rock of Gibraltar

    17:21 The Dispute Over Ownership

    19:26 The Financial Implications

    29:04 Ownership Dispute and Legal Battle

    29:52 High Court Drama and Stakeholder Tensions

    30:50 Public Fallout and Media Frenzy

    34:02 Settlement and Aftermath

    38:39 The Glazers' Takeover

    41:35 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities

    49:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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

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    57 m
  • Brendon Batson: Football Pioneer and Big Ron Betrayal - Part Two
    Apr 11 2025

    Welcome to It Was What It Was for part two of our interview with Brendan Batson, a trailblazer in English football.


    Brendon tells Jonathan and Rob about his impactful time at West Bromwich Albion as part of the iconic 'Three Degrees' with Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham.


    We discuss his teammates, the tragic losses and his work to combat racism. Brendon also gives us an insight into the personal impact of his former manager Ron Atkinson's notorious comments on live television.


    00:00 Introduction and Overview

    01:07 Brendan Batson's Early Career and Challenges

    03:00 The China Tour Experience

    06:20 The Three Degrees Phenomenon

    12:32 Impact and Legacy of Black Players

    18:37 Knee Injury and Career Transition

    20:10 Coaching Courses and Philosophies

    24:24 The Evolution of a Coaching Philosophy

    24:42 The One-Size-Fits-All Approach

    25:50 Player Welfare and Career Transitions

    27:59 Tragic Losses and Their Impact

    28:38 The Legacy of Laurie Cunningham

    32:33 Racism in Football: A Personal Betrayal

    38:20 The Complexity of Racism in Football

    41:21 The Fight Against Racism: Past and Present

    46:17 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

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    47 m
  • Brendon Batson: Arsenal's Trailblazer and the Three Degrees Legacy - Part One
    Apr 8 2025

    Welcome back to It Was What It Was. This week Jonathan and Rob welcome special guest Brendan Batson, a former Arsenal, Cambridge, and West Brom player - who made a significant impact on British social and footballing history.


    Part one focuses on Batson's early life in Grenada and Trinidad, his challenges adapting to the British climate in the 1960s, and becoming Arsenal's first black player.


    Join us for part two on Friday where Brendan recalls his time at West Brom - and the birth of the famous 'Three Degrees'.


    00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

    01:21 Brendan Batson's Early Life and Migration to England

    03:18 Adapting to Life in England and Discovering Football

    06:34 Challenges and Racism in Early Years

    11:48 The Windrush Generation and Social Context

    14:48 Racism in Football and the National Front

    19:13 Conclusion of Part One

    20:00 Scouted by Arsenal: The Beginning of a Football Journey

    21:23 Challenges and Triumphs: Early Arsenal Days

    22:38 Facing Racism: The Harsh Realities of the 60s and 70s

    25:06 Breaking Barriers: Becoming Arsenal's First Black Player

    27:44 Struggles with Racism on the Field

    31:36 Guidance and Growth: Learning to Cope

    34:32 Career Progression: From Arsenal to Cambridge and Beyond

    36:33 Ron Atkinson's Influence: A Turning Point

    37:41 Conclusion: Reflecting on a Pioneering Career

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

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    38 m
  • Cameroon at Italia ‘90: England Showdown and Legacy - Part Two
    Apr 4 2025

    Welcome back to It Was What It Was, and part two of our look at Cameroon’s extraordinary journey at the 1990 World Cup.


    With their stunning opening victory against defending champions Argentina and making history as the first African team to reach the quarter-finals, Cameroon’s story is one of resilience, brilliance, and pure football magic.


    Facing England in a gripping quarter-final showdown against stars like Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker, the Indomitable Lions captivated the world in one of the World Cup’s greatest underdog stories.


    If you enjoyed the podcast please hit subscribe to never miss an episode.


    00:00 Introduction and Initial Setup

    00:19 Chaos and Preparation for the World Cup

    01:25 Cameroon's Opening Game Against Argentina

    02:45 Diego Maradona's Challenges

    04:56 Cameroon's Tactical Adjustments

    07:35 FIFA's New Rules and Refereeing Challenges

    11:35 Cameroon's Historic Victory Over Argentina

    15:04 Advancing Through the Group Stage

    20:41 Facing Colombia in the Knockout Stage

    23:39 Cliffhanger: Preparing to Face England

    24:32 England's Quarter-Final Prospects

    25:25 Scouting Cameroon: Underestimations and Realities

    27:32 Tunnel Tensions and Early Game Dynamics

    29:37 Cameroon's Tactical Surprises

    33:46 England's Tactical Adjustments

    40:54 Cameroon's Legacy and African Football Challenges

    50:07 Concluding Thoughts on Cameroon 1990

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

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    51 m
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