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As president of Real Madrid – and as an influencer while out of that office – Ramon Calderon was inside some historic deals: Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid being chief amongst them. In this, the second part of my interview with him, you’ll hear the story of that transfer, and also a whole bunch of other decisions, made by him and by Florentino Perez, the man he succeeded and who would return to power at the Bernabeu, with Ramon Calderon as a frequent critic. You’re going to hear very nice things said about David Beckham. You’re going to hear about Predrag Mijatovic and the need to delegate. You’re going to hear about how two goals in the last 20 minutes of a football match can restore one’s faith in a higher power. I hope you like it.

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In his pristine legal office in downtown Madrid, Ramon Calderon comes off as a perfectly-mannered, spritely and talkative elder Real Madrid fan. Reason enough to mine the stories you are about to hear. But his status as not only a lifelong supporter, but also a board member and former president of that great club make him the perfect guide into the legend of Madrid. This is a guy that saw Alfredo Di Stefano play and later got to know him as a man. And for this, part one of the interview, we’re going to focus more or less on his time as a supporter in the 1960s and 70s. There is a glimpse of what’s to come in the way he breaks down the model Madrid use to turn superstar players into vast reservoirs of cash, but even that is rooted in the incredible vision of Santiago Bernabeu, the man behind Madrid. Enjoy!

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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was born in Surinam, learned football in Holland and spent most of his career in England, with a short stay in Spain at Atleti.Few are better placed to discuss the differences in football cultures... and Jimmy doesn't hold back. He has a strong take on the issues within English football, but it is his home nation of Holland that he singles out for the most criticism. Why do the Dutch keep coming up short?Jimmy also talks Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Gudjohnsen and Valeron.Enjoy Graham

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The first time I chatted to Phil Neville was in the Hilton gym in Manchester, which overlooks the Cervantes Institute. Gesturing to the building below, Phil mentioned on that occasion that he would love to learn Spanish. Years later. the opportunity to coach at Valencia gave him the chance to fulfil that ambition. Phil breaks down how he learned the language and soaked in the football culture of the nation. He is fascinating on the differences between coaching in Spain and Britain and the legacy left by his brother. Gary, at the club.Enjoy!Graham

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Phil Neville always wanted to be a cricketer and his talent matched his ambition. He was one of the best schoolboy cricketers of his generation, having served an apprenticeship in the Lancashire leagues where he faced bouncers from world-class West Indian bowlers. Then he walked out at Wembley to represent England youths at football in front of 80,000 fans. His decision was made. Cricket’s loss has been football’s gain. We spend time talking about both sports, exploring how his experiences in cricket helped form his football mentality, and even shaped his outlook in life. In an era where the professional game is awash with money, Neville’s insistence on installing work ethic and morals in young footballers has never been more relevant. Sit back and enjoy Phil Neville in full flow!Graham

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In part two of my interview with Thomas Hitzlsperger, the former Germany midfielder talks about his decision to take on some big issues outside football. This began in 2007, at the peak of his playing career, when he blogged about racism in football for a German site - the first story he wrote about concerned the racist abuse aimed at a Celtic player during a trial game Thomas played for the Scottish club before he joined Aston Villa.He also talks in length about his decision to come out as the most high-profile gay footballer. It's fascinating to hear him talk about how such a personal decision eventually influences a debate within wider football culture and impacts on individual lives in a way I don't believe he was expecting. Thanks for listening, und danke, Hammer.

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He helped me with a German perspective on the final of Euro 2008 when I was writing my book on Spain's trophy treble, but you're about to find out how much I didn't know about Thomas Hitzlsperger. In part one, today, how The Hammer was forged, and the incredible story of how he left FC Hollywood era Bayern Munich to join Aston Villa. No permission slips were signed. Enjoy this. Part two on Saturday.

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On Thursday you'll be able to listen to part one of The Big Interview with Thomas Hitzlsperger. As a brief preview, here's part of the incredible story of how he left Bavaria for Brum. Part two will follow up on Saturday.

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I first met Luca Vialli in 1995 when my sports editor at the Scottish Daily Mail sent me to find out the secrets of how Juventus destroyed Rangers in the European Cup that season. The Turin side won 4-0 at Ibrox and important lessons were there to be learned. We talk about that first meeting between us in this, part two, of the podcast. I found a man who, like the club he represented, burned with intensity. He reflects on the culture of fitness and desire which drove Juventus to Champions League success in 1996, and what it means to represent the club.Ironically, Luca had the chance to join Rangers when he left Juve in 1996, but instead ended up at Chelsea. He talks passionately about his time with the London club, both as a player and manager – and how former teammate Conte is the man to restore the club’s reputation on the world stage. Listen out for anecdotes on Ranieri, Di Canio, Lippi and Ferguson.Enjoy!Graham

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Gianluca Vialli was my favourite player of the 90s. Power, pace, skill and an abundance of charisma, I watched his career with growing interest before I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing him in his pomp at Juventus. That first encounter and his memorable spell at the Stadio Delle Alpi will be covered in part two. For now, Luca goes into depth about his unforgettable spell with Sampdoria at the start of his career – where he won Serie A for the only time in the club’s history, picked up the European Cup Winners’ Cup against Anderlecht and lost to Cruyff’s Barcelona ‘Dream Team’ in the 1992 European Cup final. We touch on the impact of Gazzetta Football Italia, how he and Lorenzo Amoruso are lighting up TV sets in Italy with their reality football show and the amazing work he is doing through his charitable foundation. Sit back and enjoy!Graham

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