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In part two of my Big Interview with Ian Cathro, you’ll hear about the Dundonian’s enduring relationship with Nuno Espirito Santo, an extraordinary manager and leader of men.

The pair worked together at Rio Ave, Valencia and Tottenham, but we chatted a lot about their time at Wolves, about how a culture of trust at every level of that club earned success and how, more than anyone, indomitable centre-half Conor Coady was key to the way the team operated.

Also in part two: how to beat Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.

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Today you’ll hear from former Blackburn and Celtic striker Chris Sutton, who tells us that his days playing up front with Swedish legend Henrik Larsson were the richest of his career

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From my writing for ESPNFC, here is my pre-Clasico take on the blueprint FC Barcelona are following as they back Xavi to find a new version of the club’s famous ideology – including the three changes he prioritised when he returned to Camp Nou. 

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That Ian Cathro is one of football’s most highly regarded coaches is all the more remarkable considering he never played the game at a high level. He is still aged just 35 and his success is down to determination, supreme confidence in his own abilities, risk taking and sheer talent.

In part one of our fascinating Big Interview, you’ll hear how a young Ian managed to bag a visit to Porto – at incredibly short notice – where he took in a training session and had a ninety-minute conversation with then manager Andre Villas-Boas which changed his life.

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Today's story comes from former England winger Chris Waddle, who will tell you how his style of play had the same effect on defenders from the Champions League... to the Sunday League.

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Hola

Thibaut Courtois, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, is in the form of his life. He will need to produce heroics to take Los Blancos through tomorrow (Wednesday) night in the Bernabeu against Paris Saint Germain, who have a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

This is the audio version of my ESPN column. 

Enjoy

G  

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Here’s another chance to hear my Big Interview with Ryan Fraser from season four.

When I caught up with my fellow Aberdonian, life was a beach under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth. Ryan has since moved on to Newcastle United, and perhaps it was fated that Eddie has ended up at St James’ Park, too. We heard how Eddie made his charges better players – and men, and how team-bonding incorporated everything from golf to paddle boarding.

Ryan is an incredibly versatile player and is able to analyse the beautiful game with great clarity. He told us about some of his best performances in a Cherries jersey, including defensive heroics against Eden Hazard and the towering Peter Crouch.

 

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Chapi Ferrer tells us how Ronald Koeman was the biggest personality in Barcelona’s ‘Dream Team’, a mentally tough character who was Johan Cruyff’s extension on the pitch. Also in part two, you’ll hear about the full-back’s heartbreak when he was let go by his beloved Barca, but how success at Chelsea beckoned. And there’s great stuff about Barca Legends coach Chapi’s philosophy and ambitions.

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Orgasmic football. Sporting Viagra. Against Athletic, Barcelona – and Pedri in particular – provided that special magic that can get a stadium on its feet and make memories that last as long as we do.

Here in a new weekly feature on The Big Interview is an audio version of the column I write regularly for ESPN FC. This one is my reaction to a game that made Camp Nou believe in the Xavi rebuild and in the gem at its centre – a 19-year-old we will be talking about for a long time to come. 

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Chapi Ferrer was the classy right-back for Johan Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’ who won Barcelona’s first European Cup in 1992. It was a miracle that Chapi played that famous night – let alone that he efficiently marked Sampdoria legend Roberto Mancini – because he had recently suffered torn cruciate ligaments and gastroenteritis. But the moment he stepped onto the Wembley turf he felt strong and focussed, and history awaited. To cap it off, a few weeks later Chapi won Olympic gold in his beloved Nou Camp.

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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