Heroes & Humans of Football

In 2010, the footballing community was shouting about corruption. FIFA had just awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. Something didn’t sound quite right…

In this groundbreaking episode, Simon and Mehreen cover not only the life and corruption of former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, but also paint a picture of the geopolitical changes in global football and the rising power shifts from the West to the East.

The podcast features clips from an exclusive interview with Sepp Blatter himself, who candidly reveals details of his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, meetings with Qatar and French President Nicholas Sarkozy, and FIFA officials’ roles in the Qatari corruption scandal.

This is a story of power, money, and corruption—akin to a mafia movie or Hollywood biopic. You won’t want to miss it.

Time stamps:

00:26: Introduction

03:54: Growing up in Switzerland

08:02: Coca Cola gets Blatter into FIFA

13:32: From bureaucrat to the biggest job at FIFA

19:57: Turning a blind eye or encouraging corruption?

24:58: Simon’s run-in with Blatter (and missing out on a spa day)

34:49: Qatari official meets the French President

37:59: Russia and Qatar win the World Cup bid

45:04: Chuck Blazer blows the whistle

49:37: A farcical election and questions of conviction

57:36: A lonely 80s of court cases, irrelevance, and attempt to stop the Ukraine War

01:00:22: What is Sepp Blatter’s legacy?

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Defensive midfielder N’Golo Kanté has left a huge legacy on football, yet hardly anything is known about him. How did this humble, fame-shy footballer become so beloved by barely saying a single world?

In this episode, Simon and Mehreen cover the reclusive Kanté, from poor beginnings in the Paris banlieues to bringing underdog Leicester to shock victory in 2016. They cover his rise to worldwide recognition and uncomfortable relationship with fame as he sees further success at Chelsea and for the French national team.

Together, they piece together an intricate picture of the human behind the hero of football. They cover stories of the well-meaning Kanté, who had never been to a birthday party until his 20s, drives a Mini Cooper, doesn’t want to be paid via offshore tax havens, and struggles with the concept of hiring a cleaner.

But of course, there’s a more unfortunate side to being the most genuine person in league football – a side that leads to Kanté being held at gunpoint thanks to advantageous agents, and business decisions that seem slightly out of character.

This is the story of how the zippy ‘vacuum cleaner’ who hoovers up the midfield became one of the universally-liked men in football. 

Time stamps:

00:40: Introduction to N’Golo Kanté (NG)

03:59: Growing up in Paris 

07:20: Beginnings in third division French football

10:01: Maturing on and off the pitch at Caen

15:00: Arrival and success at Leicester

20:35: Move to Chelsea and the big leagues

29:00: France win the World Cup

34:35: A ‘vacuum cleaner’ on the pitch and discomfort at recognition

40:13: Surprise comeback at Al-Ittihad

45:15: What if Kanté hadn’t been a footballer?

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Charismatic and polarising football coach José Mourinho always has one single goal for his teams: to win, no matter what. It’s this mentality that led him to awards, accolades, and admiration. So what happens when the winner stops winning? 

This second and final episode on José Mourinho chronicles his fall from grace in the 2010s. Simon and Mehreen cover his arrival at Real Madrid in 2010 to joining Turkish football club Fenerbahçe in 2024—and how Mourinho turns toxic when he’s no longer at his peak winning streak. 

Simon and Mehreen cover this new, more uncomfortable era for Mourinho—a time when aggressive coaching styles dominate, and awareness of men’s mental health becomes more mainstream. How does Mourinho adapt (or not adapt) during his tenures at Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur? 

And is it really over for the notorious media star, love bomber, and genius strategist, or are we now entering Mourinho’s post-Roma redemption era? Listen to find out. 

This is a two-parter; listen to our first episode on the rise of José Mourinho before this one.

Time stamps:

00:36: Welcome back

04:37: Arrival at Real Madrid

09:30: Spurring on the Real Madrid-Barça rivalry 

14:45: An emotional loss (ft. two emotional Portuguese men)

18:11: The end of the Real Madrid ‘revenge tour’

19:24: Return to Chelsea and love bombing

27:43: Downfall at Chelsea, and the Justin Bieber incident

33:50: Mourinho struggles at Manchester United

40:33: Mourinho’s Manchester United gets left behind

44:35: An ill-fated tenure at Tottenham Hotspur

48:10: A hero’s welcome at Roma (and the start of redemption?)

50:04: Chasing dopamine at Fenerbahçe and Turkish football

53:40: Mourinho’s future and legacy 

For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?

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Jose Mourinho is the arrogant and charismatic cult figure who divides opinions on the pitch and in the press room. Is he the genius strategist and saviour of failing clubs or just a toxic coach with main character syndrome? 

This episode covers the rise of Mourinho, from his early beginnings in Portugal and Barcelona, to his time coaching Chelsea and Inter Milan. Simon and Mehreen analyse Mourinho’s rise to football supremacy with stories that even mega-fans (and mega-haters) may not have heard before.

In the episode, Simon and Mehreen share their tongue-in-cheek, in-depth analysis of Mourinho—as a love bomber and a ‘f***boy’, Mourinho’s problematic takes, and how he has been able to use his intelligence, charisma, and good looks for both good and toxic purposes. 

This is a two-parter; look out for the next episode on the fall of Jose Mourinho. 

Time stamps:

00:30: Rise, fall, and redemption (?)

4:00: Growing up in a rapidly-changing Portugal

9:40: Rise of the intellectual and start at Barcelona

16:56: Frustration to first big break

21:01: Spotting weaknesses in his opponents

25:35: Mourinho - the handsome, the charismatic

28:53: Becoming the main character – Porto success to Abramovich knocking

35:34: Chelsea beginnings and rise of the media manipulator

43:25: Mourinho “the psychic”

44:43: Problematic takes on African players

47:12: Mourinho the love bomber

50:38: Chelsea becomes toxic

57:51: Chelsea sacking and next big move

1:03:04: Saviour of Inter Milan

1:08:26: Heading for Madrid

For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?

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Sven-Göran Eriksson, former England and Lazio manager, has died at the age of 76.

In this tribute episode, Mehreen and Simon discuss the colourful life and career of the small-town Swede who shook up English football as the country's first foreign national team coach and electrified the British tabloids at the height of media intrusion into the private lives of celebrities. 

Mehreen and Simon are joined by Olof Lundh, Swedish sports journalist, on how Sven's career went from managing part-time players with Gothenburg in the '80 and ended in ignominy after an elaborate fraud involving the ghost owners of Notts County and a trip to North Korea. He was a perennial nearly-ran with England's "golden generation" of footballers, was duped by a "fake sheikh", and led a financially-doped Lazio in their greatest years, winning seven trophies in three years.  

This is the story of Sweden's greatest ever coach and a remarkable footballing life. RIP Sven. 

Timestamps:

00:20 Introduction

07:44: Humble beginnings and discovering football

13:25: Breakthrough with Gothenburg

15:51: Moves around Europe

17:50: The first foreign England manager

25:20: A calm demeanour in the hysterical noughties media

31:37: An English culture clash

34:08: Love affairs and the News International phone hacking scandal 

38:19: Flirting with other jobs and the ‘fake sheikh’

45:31: Simon’s take on interviewing Sven

49:35: Penalties misery and protection of players

52:58: The end of England

55:16: The Scam move to Notts County

57:43: Naivete and a move away from European football

1:02:05: Sven reveals he has cancer

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Norwegian striker Erling Haaland is making football history with 63 league goals in two seasons. Tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner, the 6ft4 speed machine seems to attract both rampant adoration and mockery.

In this episode, Simon and Mehreen chronicle Haaland’s short life and rise to glory - from growing up extraordinary in a culture that prioritises equality, and the influence of his sporting family. They chronicle his choices to go for growth over short-term glory, and his move to and impact at Manchester City.

During the episode, Simon and Mehreen discuss the paradoxes of Haaland’s personality - as both typical and ‘anti-Norwegian’, the awkward persona that makes him constantly go viral on social media, and his holy pursuit for longevity à la Cristiano Ronaldo - in contrast to more ‘stereotypical’ footballers such as Jack Grealish.

Time stamps:

00:32: Introduction to Erling Haaland 

05:37: Early years in England with a footballer father

09:46: Growing up special in an equal society

14:17: The awkward teen years and rise of the ‘anti-Norwegian’

19:38: The influence of super-agent Mino Raiola and move to Salzburg

25:10: Rise to stardom at Dortmund

30:05: Becoming a viral social media sensation

34:37: Haaland’s Ronaldo-inspired quest for longevity

40:30: Manchester City and the precarious position of being Number 9

45:93: What would Haaland do without football?

For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?

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League Code: l7y2et

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Ten Hag’s slow rise to coaching success seems to have come to an abrupt stop at Manchester United. Can the man who led other teams to glory turn the club around on his third attempt? Or is his tenure simply doomed?

In this episode, Mehreen and Simon chronicle the rise and fall of Erik ten Hag. They cover the hyper-organised, football-obsessed Dutchman’s rise from middling footballer to his slow and successful rise to Head Coach of Ajax. 

On the way they investigate the influence of Pep Guardiola on his coaching style and his entrepreneurial obsession with becoming a Ferguson-style football ‘CEO’.

Timestamps:

00.35 - Introduction 

05:50 - Childhood coaching-mindset to middling football player

11:47 - The dreamer assistant coach that thinks like a football CEO

13:54 - Assistant at Twente under Steve McClaren 

16:34 - Successful stint as Head Coach with the Go-Ahead Eagles 

20:37 - The influence of Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich 

24:31 - Back to the Netherlands and rise in Utrecht 

27:45 - Move to Ajax - from mockery to success

32:33 - The iconic Spurs v Ajax Game, 2019

37:54 - Setting up at Man U and taking control of transfers

49:27 - Man U’s first season: Rocky beginnings or stable start?

56:54 - Staying resilient among increasing uncertainty

1:01 - The winning formula to being a good coach

For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?

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In this special Q&A episode, hosts Mehreen Khan and Simon Kuper answer questions from listeners around the globe. From the Olympics to the intricacies of modern football management, Mehreen and Simon tackle a wide range of topics, providing insights and sharing personal anecdotes. Join us as we explore the world of football through the lens of your questions.

Timestamps:

01:25 - Discussion on the Olympics and its significance in football

06:20 - Emma Hayes' mixed Olympics with the US Women's Team

10:08 - The debate on a UK football team in the Olympics

15:02 - Chelsea's business model and financial strategies

18:12 - The controversial transfer market practices and financial fair play

21:00 - The future of Chelsea under new management

23:30 - The eternal debate: Who is the GOAT of football?

26:40 - Comparing players from different eras and the evolution of the GOAT debate

30:00 - Quickfire round: Hero or Villain?

33:08 - Reflecting on Gareth Southgate's tenure with England

36:58 - The role of modern football managers and their influence

39:35 - Speculation on Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United

45:55 - The impact of American ownership on Premier League clubs

48:02 - Fantasy Premier League tips and Mehreen's starter squad

50:10 - The concept of "Brat" in football and notable examples

52:31 - The common traits among great footballers

54:49 - How Mehreen and Simon met and started the podcast

57:28 - Teaser for the upcoming Jose Mourinho special episode

For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?

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League Code: l7y2et

Looking forward to playing against you this season!

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Over the past 20 weeks, Mehreen and Simon have covered the stories of the so-called ‘heroes’ of football, as well as the game’s undercover (and not so undercover) ‘villains’.

As the duo take a week off to end their debut season, they reflect on their favourite episodes so far, muse on what they’ve learned, and provide behind-the-scenes insights into the podcast.  

Heroes and Humans will return on Thursday 8th August for an Olympics special. If you have any Olympics- and general football-related questions you’d like answered by Mehreen and Simon, contact us on Instagram, TikTok and X. Find us under the handle @HeroesAndHumans.

Thank you for listening. Remember to recommend the podcast to your friends and family (or even your enemies) and make sure to leave a review!

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Tipped as one of the longshots for England manager, Thomas Tuchel is the polarising German football coach known for his brilliance, fanaticism, and sometimes cruelty. 

Simon and Mehreen cover the fascinating and complex world of Tuchel, whose career is defined by never-ending cycles of success and self-destruction. They chronicle his rollercoaster career – from early days in Germany under the shadow of Jürgen Klopp, to rises and falls at Paris St Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich. 

Discover how the enigmatic Tuchel’s unconventional training methods, tactical innovation towards coaching, and workaholic lifestyle lead him to become such a dividing and impressive figure of today’s football. 

Time stamps:

00:30 - Introduction to Thomas Tuchel

01:03 - His unique lifestyle and beliefs

01:41 - The cycle: Success and self-destruction

02:04 - Potential candidacy for the England national team

03:21 - Early career and influences

05:33 - Playing career and transition to coaching

07:24 - Influence of Ralf Rangnick

09:09 - Innovative coaching methods and rise at Mainz

​​23:23 - Sabbatical and learning from other sports

30:14 - Terrorist attack on Dortmund's team bus

32.20 - Strained relationship with Dortmund's management

33:56 - Move to Paris Saint-Germain

34:50 - Approach to managing star players at Paris Saint Germain

36:24 - Champions League final and abrupt departure from Paris Saint Germain

38:42 - Arrival at Chelsea and immediate impact

43:26 - Winning the Champions League with Chelsea

50:26 - Personal challenges and departure from Chelsea

53:36 - Brief tenure at Bayern Munich

55:40 - Speculation on becoming England manager

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