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Today’s story comes from Uwe Rosler, who tells how as a promising youngster in East Germany he was picked up by the dreaded Stasi and pressured to spy on his Lokomotive Leipzig team-mates.

Listen to the original full episodes:

Uwe Rösler: From Stasi Survivor to City Slicker - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

Uwe Rösler: The Cult Hero of Maine Road - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

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Today’s story comes from Stephen Glass, who talks about how Aberdeen players who couldn’t stand Scott Brown when he was Celtic’s combative captain came to love the man after he arrived at Pittodrie.

Listen to the original full episodes:

Stephen Glass: The Long Road Home - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

Stephen Glass: Scott Brown and the Leadership Gene - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

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

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Today’s story comes from Stuart Baxter, who explains how on earth he managed to persuade the mighty, magnificent Michael Laudrup to come to disaster-torn Kobe.

Listen to the original full episodes:

Stuart Baxter: Rebuilding AIK, Resurrecting Kobe - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

Stuart Baxter: Working with Laudrup and Larsson - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

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

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Messi back to Barca? I didn't think this story had much legs - until I was briefed about its point of origin. Who is the chief choreographer of the idea of a Last Dance for the greatest footballer in the world? Why, it's none other than Lionel Messi, esquire. Here's everything I know about where the story is, as reported to ESPNFC.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

In part two of my engaging conversation with Manuel Pellegrini we hear how during the South American phase of his managerial career the Chilean learned to control his temper and develop emotional intelligence – although a little dose of the hairdryer treatment doesn’t go amiss from time to time.

We learn how a clash of ideas with Real Madrid’s president caused a departure which led to three happy years at Malaga. And there’s great stuff about current club Real Betis – working with wing legend Joaquin and winning the Copa del Rey. Like veteran Joaquin, 69-year-old Manuel is incredibly demanding of himself to maintain peak condition; every day, he says, he treats as the first of his career.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

I caught up with Chilean managerial legend Manuel Pellegrini in beautiful Seville and spoke about his Atlantic crossing to sample the different footballing styles that Italy, France and England had to offer. The English game wasn’t as primitive as some might claim – thanks to the innovating force of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and the adaptations of Fergie at Manchester United. Also in part one, the importance of an open, enquiring, cultivated mind, and working with talents like Riquelme, Senna, Pires and Cazorla at Villareal.

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

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Today’s story comes from Vinny Samways, who describes swapping a career in England for the searing heat of the Canary Islands where he excelled with Las Palmas.

Listen to the full original episodes:

Vinny Samways: Viva Las Palmas - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

Vinny Samways: Ossie’s Pivote - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Today’s story comes from Sven-Göran Eriksson, who recalls how club president Paolo Mantovani was instructed by his star turns Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli to bring him to Sampdoria.

Listen to the original full episodes:

Sven-Göran Eriksson: Lazio's scudetto, 20 years on - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

Sven-Göran Eriksson: Mancini - The Art and the Fury - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

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

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Today’s story comes from Simon Stainrod, who reminisces about his happy days at Falkirk – where he is forever a club legend. He started playing for just a quid a week under old-school manager Jim Jefferies.

Listen to the original full episode:

Simon Stainrod: Last of the Bullfighters - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola

Here's the audio version of my latest ESPN column, to get you in the mood for tonight's Real Madrid v Chelsea Champions League quartert-final first leg.

Enjoy

G

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com