Rog is joined by Red Sox manager Alex Cora, proud Puerto Rican and devoted Liverpool supporter. Cora shares his unique journey from growing up in a baseball-obsessed nation to being passionate about football through Fenway Sports Group, the shared ownership behind both the Red Sox and Liverpool FC.

Cora reflects on the crossover coaching philosophies he's adopted from football to baseball, offers his perspective on Liverpool's transition under Arne Slot, draws compelling cross-sport comparisons to Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, and explains why the 2026 FIFA World Cup will forever change the perspective of soccer in the United States.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold delivers a goal that was like the Chicken Jockey scene in the Minecraft movie in Liverpool's 1 - 0 win over relegated Leicester City. Aston Villa overwhelm Newcastle in a second half that felt like a shot-for-shot remake of the back half of Warfare. And Manchester United lose to Wolves and prove their Thursday night relaunch was quicker than a Katy Perry flight on Blue Origin.

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What a week for Premier Clubs in Europe…Arsenal drop Real Madrid, United pull off a comeback for the ages, and even Chelsea managed to win despite losing! Rog discusses Arsenal's domination of Real Madrid amid their chase for European glory, before reliving Manchester United's night of wonder against Lyon at Old Trafford. Then, Rog dives into the news that Virgil Van Dijk will be returning to Liverpool, and what that means for the club on the cusp of capturing the Premier League title.

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Herc sat down with Bryant Lazaro, who left Florida at the age of 19 to pursue his dream of managing in elite European football. Currently working in Portugal's Top Division, he discusses the dilemma faced by coaches between player development and prioritizing results. Plus, Bryant shares his experiences with Bob Bradley and Jill Ellis while living in Norway, as well as an unforgettable story with Marcelo Bielsa.

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The Wappingers Falls field general joins Rog to discuss Bournemouth’s no holds-barred high-pressing style, why he feels at home on the South Coast and what the USMNT needs to changes after March’s Nations League fiasco.

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The Basque alchemist sits down with Rog to discuss his high-intensity football ethos, what it will take for Bournemouth to reach Europe and… similarities to Bill Belichick.

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The breakout striker takes Rog inside Bournemouth’s brand new $48 million training facility to discuss the club’s ambitions, why Bournemouth is so appealing to elite European talent and the secret to an ice cold penalty.

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Arsenal: a title chase failure or on the precipice of European glory? Rog and Rory ask the question after this weekend's 1 - 1 draw with Brentford. Liverpool go one step closer to the Premier League title thanks to a last-gasp winner over West Ham from Big Virg. Manchester City batter Crystal Palace as they try and avoid a Top Four gap year. Things get even worse for Manchester United keepers. And David Moyes does it again, as Everton beat European hopefuls Nottingham Forest 1-nil.

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The Egyptian king Mo Salah signs a two-year contract at Liverpool. Plus, rounding up Manchester United’s and Spurs’ Europa League games, previewing the weekend’s football, and a new film studio from Cristiano Ronaldo.

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This is Early Kick Off from the Men in Blazers media network and presented by our great friends of the pod STōK Cold Brew Coffee, all your global football stories straight from the back pages of Europe's newspapers in around 10 minutes.

This episode was made in the UK for Men In Blazers by…

Host: Betty Glover 

Producer: Sammy James and George Cooper

Assistant producer: Elizabeth Barnard

Researcher: Jack Collins

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Herc sat down with a friend of the pod, Eric Gomez from ESPN Mexico, to discuss the Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals. They delved into Lionel Messi's outstanding performance with Inter Miami against LAFC, the surprising upset of Cruz Azul over Club America, the growing rivalry between Messi and Mexican fans, and the controversies surrounding Club León and its exclusion from the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

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