Football Daily - Goodbye to Guardiola & will it be Spurs or West Ham?

Episode Date: May 22, 2026

Aaron Paul is joined by correspondent John Murray, Paul Robinson, Clinton Morrison and Don Hutchison as Pep Guardiola says goodbye to Manchester City and the Premier League. The team react to Pep's emotional goodbye statement, they reflect on his era-defining decade in English football, and Manchester City fan Emily Brobyn joins to give the fans' perspective on his departure. Spanish Football expert Guillem Balague also joins the pod to look at what could be next for Pep, and to discuss his replacement, Enzo Maresca.Is the Premier League about to go through a big transition when it comes to managers? Are we about to see a new wave of young coaches make their name in the Premier League, all with Mikel Arteta at the helm? How will Xabi Alonso fare at Chelsea, where will Andoni Iraola go next and can Carrick find greater success at Manchester United?And finally, we look ahead to the final day of the Premier League, and in particular the relegation battle between West Ham United and Tottenham. Are we in for a final twist as West Ham host Leeds needing a win, and could Spurs slip up needing just a draw against Everton?Timecodes: 0:39 Pep Guardiola's statement, in his own words 07:36 Emily Brobyn joins with the fans' perspective  19:09 Guillem Balague gives insight into what's next for Pep, and discusses Maresca as  27:51 Is the Premier League about to embark on the next wave of great managers? 38:18 Will it be West Ham or Spurs who go down on the final day?

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This is the Football Daily podcast with Aaron Paul. Hello and welcome to the Football Daily podcast. Coming up, we're going to be reflecting on the news that Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City after 10 years in charge with Enzo Moreska, reportedly being lined up to replace him as head coach. We'll discuss whether the Premier League is embarking on the next generation of great managers and we'll look ahead to the final day of the season, and in particular, the relegation battle between West Ham and Spurs. Clinton Morrison, Paul Robinson and Don Hutchinson are all with us, as his correspondent John Murray. We'll get their thoughts on the Pep Guardiola news shortly, but first let's hear from the man himself.

When I arrive, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. Welcome to Manchester. Thank you, sir. I walk out thinking, okay, Noel is here, and this will be fun. And what a time we have had together. Don't ask me the reasons I'm living. There is no reason. But deep inside I know it's my time.

Nothing is eternal. If it was, it would be here. Eternal will be the feeling. The people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City. This is a city is built from work, from graft. You see it in the color of the bricks, from people who clock in early and stay late. late, the factories, the punk hearts, the unions, the music, simply the industrial revolution

and how this changed the world. Remember the Manchester and an attack when this city shows the world what the strength actually looks like? Not anger, not fear, just love. Community, togetherness, a city united. losing my mom during COVID and feeling this club carry me through it the fans the staff the people of Manchester you gave me the strength when I needed most so ladies and gentlemen thank you for trusting me thank you for pushing me thank you for

loving me Tony Wash said in his unforgettable poem this is the place I'm sorry, Tony. This is my place. Noel, I was right. It has been so fun. Love you all. Pep Guardiola, in his own words, from a video put up by Manchester City on their social media channels.

Just let's break down some of the numbers. 10 years, 20 trophies, 592 games with 416 wins, 87-drawn, 89 loss, 1,420. 22 goals scored and just 520 conceded. And the only team to get 100 points in a Premier League season of 2017-18. He came with an expectation. It felt like they were bringing in a winner, John. And win is what he did.

Yeah, and then some. You know, it's not just that. You know, to run through the list of trophies is one thing. And I mean, it's phenomenal enough, as Thomas Tuchel said today, smashes all the records. But it's more than that, isn't it? It's what he has, the influence that he's had, as we've been saying all week.

And, you know, it feels so big that he's moving on. And we might not say him in club management again. Might say him in international management. We'll see. But that's why when I was commentating at Bournemouth on Tuesday night and the final whistle goes and they've finished second, I couldn't take my eyes off Guariola. because at that time of course

there wasn't this confirmation but we knew that this was going to be it so that's it you know in his final season he'd finish short in the league and just to see him and how he reacted and he went to the away supporters you know which is always the core isn't it travelling support for any football club those ones who go away

so he went over there and it wasn't long you know there was an acknowledgement but then he had to walk back across the pitch and as he did so you may have seen this on the television walked across you know looking down at the ground. He looked like he was absolutely boiling. You know, they'd fallen short. They hadn't done it. This is

it. This is the end. Walk down, head down, down the tunnel. And I thought, oh, this is going to be interesting to see what he's like when he comes and speaks to us and does his interviews. Actually, by the time he came and spoke, he was incredibly serene in everything that he said and how he was going to talk to the chairman, which has eventually led to where we are today with the confirmation. but then again just sitting in the room with him again just couldn't take my eyes and he got up and walked out of the room in Bournemouth and I just thought that's the last I'm going to see of him as a club manager

Paul just on on Pett when he first signed for City don't forget over the way it was Marino in at Manchester United and there was this great narrative because the clubs were were sort of you know real deep inside their rival of course city have accelerated far far beyond United right now now that during peps 10 years we've seen marino solshire carrick ran yik ten hagg van this story amorym fletcher and carrick again in the old traffic duck out so nine managers in in those 10 years interim and permanent but do you know what the first thing i noticed was when that sort of that whole

thing was was starting between him and marino he had this edge he had this real it felt like someone who was so so hungry to win every single press conference he did know what he was going to come out with. There had been some corkers of lines over the years that I'm so happy. I'm so happy. I don't know if you remember that one. When you think about it, it's led to something absolutely

spectacular for Citi and for him. Well, he had confidence. He had belief and he knew exactly what he was all about. And perception, you know, he's gone in there and you look at what he's done. And the way that football's evolved, and people will say about the way that the game's changed

and tactics go in cycles. as we see this season, we see the set plays, we see the long throws, we see the ball getting lumped in the box. You know, that's nothing new. That was done years ago. Tactics evolve in cycles, and Pep was a great believer in that, and he brought a new style of play.

You saw the goalkeeper been involved more. You saw them building up from the back, and then all of a sudden he put the question out there to the rest of the Premier League. He went, this is what we're going to do. How are you going to play against us? How can you affect us? And the biggest compliment you can pay him,

regardless of his trophies, his success, and everything else. He's evolved with the game, but he's also evolved the game. He's got a squad of players which, granted, he's been able to buy, the financial resources that he's had at Manchester City, the players that he's had at his disposal, he's been able to do what he's wanted to do, but the different style of play, the different tactics that he's had. And he's had teams over the years that have tried to combat what he's doing, because you can't beat the best players in the world at doing what they do in the very best way. So you have to find a way to beat them. And then when that gets reversed,

reversed on him, he then has to find a different way. And you see that and you see the style of play. I mean, three Champions League's that he's won, three Leaguers, three Bundesliga, six Premier League titles, three Club World Cups, three FA Cups. You don't win that by doing the same thing over and over. You have to evolve, and that's what he's done. It's a serious trophy cabinet he's got at home.

Let's bring him a broadcaster of Manchester City fan. Emily Brobin has just come off air from presenting Total Sport on BBC Radio, Manchester. Emily, I'm going to temper this by just letting you know. It's a real tense evening here as well because producer Katie, I mean, she is absolutely bereft with this news. I mean, she's being strong,

full respect to her, she's being strong. But just tell us, what's the temperature like in Manchester right now? What's the mood amongst the city fan base? Yeah, me and Katie had a little hug. We hugged it out and we've known each other for many, many years. I adore it. I think the mood today was shock when it was actually confirmed. It came through and city fans,

just couldn't believe it. I think they were trying to convince themselves that he would see out that contract and he would play out that final year, but no, it's come through, but I'm of the mind that I actually do feel like it's time. I feel like 10 years is unbelievable to get

from a manager like Pep Guardiola, especially when he signed back in 2016. He only signed a three-year contract at City. We've had, just shy of a fifth of his life, Pep Guardiola, one of the best managers in the world. We're at a Oh, look. We're blessed.

So I think city fans, I know it's very emotional. And that video that City released was incredibly emotional. I was crying. I go home and away across Europe, watching the football club. I'm really proud. I've been a season ticket holder at Main Road. And watching that video, I was in bits. But it's such a class from the club and a representation of what he means,

not only to the club, but to the city as a whole as well. And the legacy that he will leave across Manchester. I was going to say, it feels like he really, did embrace what Manchester is all about. It's a place you can sort of fall in love with very quickly. And to spend 10 years there where everyone thought, hey, three years, he'll have another sabbatical

and off he goes again. Ten years is an incredible amount of time. And to achieve that and to spend that long there and to have the drive, the passion, the desire to come back to break all these records. What an incredible, incredible story and journey. Yeah, it's been

incredible and it was really noticeable about mentioning the evolution. If he's football style and the achievements that he's had at City because obviously he came in in his first season it didn't really go too well and everybody was thinking and gone a minute can pep cut it in the Premier League and then I mean he proved everybody wrong didn't it and he's not ever been shy to make big bold decisions as well coming in and immediately changing the goalkeeper joe Hart was such a fan favourite won four golden gloves and he was immediately out and replaced by Claudio Bravo because he brought in this evolutionary way of playing out from the back and then

in K medicine and we never really looked back in that regard. But then we went on and then we did the 100 points season, the Centurions and then the domestic quadruple as well and then onto the treble. But I really maintain that one of his greatest achievements at City is doing four in a row Premier League titles. I think to do that off the back of winning a treble is phenomenal. to pick those players up who must be mentally, physically exhausted and to say, right, what can we achieve next? Go out there and do four in a row. I don't think that will ever be taught by any other club.

I think you're right to mention the word legacy because he's done that at Barcelona, he's done that at Bayern. I think the job that he's done, I can remember commentating with Andy Townsend on Pep's first game for Man City. And we saw that he was playing his fallbacks inverted and both me and Andy on the day went, what's you doing? What are you doing? We couldn't see it because we thought,

ah, being two X midfield players, like, oh, he's just crowding the midfield. What's you doing? Midfield players will hate it. And then you watch it unfold, and it's all a master plan, and it's all like an NFL player, the way he has, in a chess board,

the way he has all these pawns and all these things move and generally moving in game. And then you take the human element, and he's being a class act, and then the amount of time that these managers, 10 years, but the amount of time these managers, are away from his daughter, away from his wife, the amount of man hours that he puts in.

And when you watch him, you watch him on a match day. You watch him in press conferences. This is a guy that just lives football all the time. All the time. I've read one of the books, Pep Confidential. And a takeaway from that book when I read it a few years ago was when he was at Barcelona and he was managing against Real Madrid,

the game coming up in about three days' time. and he was trying to spot a weakness in Real Madrid and he couldn't see it and he watched the tape and he couldn't see it and he watched the tape again and he must have watched the tape about five times he called Messi at midnight

and he called him to the training camp training ground and he got Messi in and he showed him where he thought he could be or to find Real Madrid's weakness they went on won the game Messi scored a hat-trick the level of detail that he's brought to the Premier League and as I said, Bayern and Basa, outstanding.

Yeah, look at what he's done with Matthias Nunes as well this season, playing in midfield. And he has been one of our best players playing at right back. And we won with Fabian Delph in that position at fullback as well. As Inchenko, we won a Premier League with him out of position. We won a Premier League with a false nine as well. So he has completely revolutionised everything that we've seen in the Premier League. But I think his greatest achievement alongside the four Premier League in a row, is his consistency as well.

When we look at the respect that is always shown to the domestic cups, doing eight semifinals in the FA Cup consecutively is unbelievable. I mean, his record in the FA Cup speaks volumes. I think it's 48 wins out of 55 games at FA Cup games alone. So the respect that he has for the English game and the respect that he's always shown for it as well, that will be the next issue for the manager. I mean, Enzo Moresco is widely linked to V's replacement.

So it's having realistic expectations of who can follow and replace the irreplaceable in Pep Guadiolla at City. But he is just incredible. I can't speak highly enough, obviously, of him. He's been, he's brought, made every single dream that we've had come true. And what we've learned today as well is, I mean, it was kind of known, but it was confirmed today that the newly extended North Stand at the stadium is going to be named the Pep Guardiola Stand.

We also learned today, interestingly, that while he is leaving as manager, he's not saying goodbye to the city football group because he is becoming a global ambassador, which is going to see him, they say, giving technical advice to all the clubs in the group and working on specific projects and collaborations, which I have to say, I wasn't necessarily expecting that. And also, Emily, you know, it is, it's great for him, isn't it,

that it's all going to come to an end with the final home match. And not only that, for those who are not there on Sunday, there's going to be the open top bus tour for the teams, the Manchester City teams on Monday. So that's going to be a proper farewell for all of the Manchester City supporters who will be able to get there and wave him off. Absolutely. And we've got the rare event of Manchester sunshine as well with the heatways.

So I think it's expected to be 28 degrees and what I send off it will be in an unusual situation at the Etiata. as well on Sunday because Aston Villa are the opponents and they're fresh off full of celebrating

winning the Europa League as well so celebrations all around on Sunday but a big parade to send him off but not only that to highlight the achievements to this season that is achieved because so many fans

unbelievably disappointed with a league cup and an FA Cup these are the standards that he set and these are the standards that he is forever chasing but imagine being disappointed

with that it could I mean it could never be made but we'll be celebrating those two trophies. We'll be celebrating the women's achievements as well, winning the WSL, and obviously they're in the FA Cup final, but that comes later. And then the Youth Cup final as well,

the lads winning that. So a big, big party across Manchester, so I would expect city fans out in their thousands, culminating with an event at the Co-op Live arena as well, and that will be sold out and pat to the rafters. I'm hoping that his friend, Noel, will bring our kid, Liam, and then maybe play a little song.

Maybe don't go away. Don't look back in ice. Love it. The other thing as well, you know, the clip that we played of Pep Guarillo himself, our friend Sam Lee, who writes on Manchester City for the Athletic,

said today that Guadiolla wrote that script himself, you know, so it really did come from the heart. I wouldn't expect anything else. Well, no, you wouldn't. You're absolutely right. Don't forget the statue either. Statue, as not.

Of course there'll be a statue. Emily, they're not going to be able to move for statues outside of them. I mean, it's like Madam Tuse. sorts at the FNCHF right now, honestly. I hope it's needed a goal though because that's what you deserve. Emily, thank you so much for joining

us. Really appreciate it. I know it's emotional, but thank you so much once again. Emily Brobin-Catcher on BBC Radio Manchester. John, just you spent a lot of time in sort of the boughs of football stadiums waiting to talk to managers to sort of, you know, decrypt them after wins and losses.

I'd imagine more wins for Pep Guardio, and in his case, what are your memories? I think what immediately comes to mind was that incredible performance when they swept away Rail Madrid in the second leg of the semi-final. I feel that was the best...

I'm not like Emily, I don't see all of Manchester City matches, but I've seen a lot under Guardiola, and I felt that that was almost the ultimate performance from his team. They were brilliant that night, absolutely brilliant. Clinton, haven't heard much from you.

I mean, Pep Guardiola, moving on from Manchester City. What does this do for the Premier? League. What does it mean for the Premier League? Well, you miss one of the best managers ever to do it. I'm going to ask John a question because he's not going yet, is he, John? But let me answer this question because I like to

ask the experienced man like John Murray himself. But what I always worries me a little bit when I hear you. No, no, it's a good question. It's a good question. And I know you can handle it. You'll handle it well. But now, he's a legend. I echo exactly what Robo said about Pep Guardiola. He improves teams and he

improved players. A lot of players says, oh, yeah, but they spend a lot of money. It doesn't mean because you spend a lot of money on players that you end up winning loads of stuff. He's a top manager. He will be missed in the Premier League without a shadow of that. You want the best managers and the best players in the Premier League. So when someone like Pep Guardiola moves on, it is sad. You can probably, that sounded, if you're a Man City fan,

the way he was speaking would have been proper emotional because the club have had to suffer for so many years before. And now they've got such a top manager there at their home who's moving on. So, yeah. And you know what I look at it a bit like, You know, sir Alex Ferguson left and then the guy comes into his shoes good luck with that one.

But if it is Enzo Moreska, he's actually worked under PEP before so you'll know how to kind of, I don't feel much will change. That's what I'm trying to say. I don't think much will change. But what I wanted to ask you, John, is Sir Alex, they say PEP's the best.

Who's the best? It's a long question this one, you've seen both of them. No, that's all I asked. That's how I asked. Who's the best? If I have to choose one or the other, it would still be,

Alex Ferguson. I think we should get an opinion from Spanish football expert. Guillem Ballet, Guillain, Guillem, good evening. You have an incredible relationship with Pep Guardia. Did you see this coming?

Yes and no. I think he now, it's pretty obvious that he signed a two-year deal to stay just one year and he didn't disdive anybody. So he told the club about eight weeks ago

and wanted nobody to know because he was scared of what happened to club, remember he announces the part in January. There was a very positive reaction at the beginning. And then the run-in was terrible for Liverpool. So he wanted to avoid all of that. And to be honest, considering that we know now,

it was about eight weeks ago when he told the club that nobody knew about it, well, that nobody announced it or used it. That's really good going. There's a lot of us asking questions all the time. But quite clearly, he tried to go in year five, Try to go year seven. Ten years is enough, isn't it?

He needs a rest. New energy is required, and he hopes, and this is very important, I feel. He keeps saying that he followed the legacy of John Cruyfe. I think he's a very important part of the process now, the decision-making, who's coming next. They wouldn't approve, though. They wouldn't accept somebody that Pepp has not approved.

And I think the idea of Peb will be to get somebody that continues his own legacy. So in a way, he's not fully going. You said he tried to leave in year 5 and year 7. Who kept him? Was it Caldun al-Mabarak? Was it Sheikh Mansor? And why couldn't they do it this time?

Why couldn't they convince him? Very good question, because that takes us to his closest circle. Caldun, absolutely. He was essential every time he doubted. Remember when they got knocked out by Leon? And that was, I think, in his second year, in the Champions League and he shouted,

you have to sack me, sack me, I cannot do this job, I cannot do this. And Caldon is like, no, come down. So he got that balance

from Caldun. But I'm going to give you some more names that actually need to be mentioned because without them, he would have been five years. He thought, you know, three years and then,

okay, five years, he would have gone after five years if he wasn't for Maneles Thiarte, who's next to him constantly. And he's a Maradona of Water Polo. He was, and probably,

he's the best what the Paul played in history, so has got elite mentality. Maneles Diarte is one, John Patsy, who works also with that group and has done for a long time. Edu Maury, the doctor, Ferran Soriano, Chiquetri-Eystein, all those people.

It was like going, imagine going to work and meeting your mates, and that's what it was like. So when there were doubts, because they understood that he's a genius, he's obsessive, and he doubts, like, a lot. They knew how to react. And at the point of, I want to go moment, it would be like, right, let's talk tomorrow or let's talk next week.

And at the point of, okay, are you going to stay when they had to renew a contract? The question was in as many times. It was like, whenever you're ready, we talk. And whenever he was ready, he would talk, including, for instance, the last renewal of his contract when he made the English affair, wait two months for his answer because they wanted him to take the job. And after two months, he just went like, I think he's going to be city. He said it on a Friday, he was announced on a Sunday, and that was the two-year deal that really, as we said earlier, was in his head possibly one just one year.

What do you make of this global ambassador role that he's going to have with the group? And do you think that we will see him eventually in international management? Its intention has always been club management to finish here whenever he left and then becoming a national manager We know Spain won't happen. Italy is attractive, but not now because this federation is a disaster. Brazil contacting a few times.

Now, Ancelot, he has renewed his contract. Argentina, again, the president of the FA could be at some point. So you're going to come back round two in the end? In Scotland. He wants to do a cycle. World Cup, Euros World Cup, or Euros World Cup, Euros. So now he will rest. I hope you win the World Cup with Tuchel,

which means he's got a longer contract. But at some point, I think he will still, say five years time, no, to put a date, he still will find 26 players moulded in the Peppwardial idea and who are competitive and who win constantly and who will, he will try to take to win the World Cup or the European Championships. Jim, I know obviously people have talked about why he's, he's done this, why he stepped down. Obviously, you'll close to them.

Can I ask, do you think the breakdown of his family situation has impacted this? Do you think it's made him look at things from a bird's eye perspective and think maybe there's more to life than football? He sacrificed his life for football. And you can have an opinion on that. But because he always felt with enough energy, including in difficult personal moments, thanks to Manchester and Manchester City and the people around him he continued and he kept finding solutions

which is a motivator for him Eureka moments that gave him the happiness and the wish to continue so he had to overcome yes those moments but I don't think until perhaps recently I don't see my guy that was lacking in energy or ideas or wanting to do what he was doing but he just got to a point where it's like

you know what I think could I mean last season before renewing the contract and then we would have said, yeah, it makes sense. But he thought, actually, let's start another generation of players molded by the way we do things, leaving things in a good place for the next manager. That's quite a generous offer. But, you know, right now, that's it.

It doesn't have any more to give, I don't think. We've seen another, well, the other side of Manchester, where a highly, highly successful manager, custodian of the football club recommends his successor. How do Manchester City ensure seamless transition under Enzo Mariska,

if it's going to be Enzomeriska? I don't know why we can look in at that one. At the said Alex, David Moy's transition, I'll give you some of those. Rinos Mejel, Kovach. When Kovach came in, he won the treble, including the European Cup. Pep Wardiola, Tito Villanova.

The last year of Pep, at Marthrona, he didn't win the league. Tito win it with a hundred points. You know, from Shankly. So, there is the possibility of a transition. But the key in those places in all of them is that there was an idea that was beyond

anybody. In this case, an idea imposed by his coaching and his way of doing things, but a club that's very, very stable. So the choice next is, as I said, somebody that Pepo Ardiolla wants to follow his legacy, not just to come in,

and do whatever to follow his legacy. And I'm pretty sure if it is Anzomareska, that Enzo Mareska has heard those words and that his role is to actually continue his legacy. And I know Chikabigristhan about four years ago told me if I had to go to another club and Pep didn't come with me, it'll be Enzo Mareska that I'll take.

So it's somebody that knows the club and I think he's in a great position in a club, in a team that has been left in a good transition to actually continue the success. Guillem, thank you. We'll also say thank you to football correspondent, and John Murray as well. Coming up, we'll be chatting about the next wave of managers coming through in the Premier League.

And we'll look ahead to the relegation battle between West Ham and Tottenham as we approach the final day. That's straight after this. Five-Ly Sports. So here's the first ball of this series. All the cricket you laugh. Check, Relby-Dob. Lives on BBC sounds. Smash straight back down the ground.

This girl. Here, ball-by-ball coverage of the biggest competitions on the domestic and international circuits. It's a ball-thwig. And it's the huge one. Cheese, Sports. Settle down. Sorry, Ray.

Cricket on five-life sport. Oh, I've lived in every ball of this. Listen on BBC Sounds. This is the Football Daily podcast with Aaron Paul. So, the Premier League will be pepless next season. In recent years, Juergen Klopp has walked away from English football as well. Will we be missing those big characters in our game? Or is it time for the evolution of the league?

Is it time to bring the game? through the next big dog of the Premier League. Don Hutchinson, the question I was thinking about when I was leaving home today was, are we about to see a footballing dynasty and the evolution of a new character, Mikhal Arteta, after this title win? Well, I think you're right to mention the legends that have left, because when I got the news today and we heard the news today about Pep, I just found it incredibly sad because the legendary manager is

and what is brought to the game all around the world. everyone's trying to copy him. Then you look back a little bit and you go, the running that Thomas Tuchel had where Antonio Conte, the famous handshake that lasted forever. Then Yergen Klopp and Jose and Arsumvenger.

It's up to the younger brigade now to try and take this on, but good luck. Because those legendary managers that have left the Premier League over the years, they were special. So Artetta will feel as though he's the one. And then it's up to everyone else.

Alonzo, maybe at Chelsea coming to the Premier League, but after that, you're thinking, right, who's going to step up? It's not really Michael Carrick's style to be provocative and try and cause any drama, so he'll just go about his business. Whether on a slot stays at Liverpool or not, I don't know. If I was Liverpool, I'd be all over under I, I think the job that he's done, the personality, the aura that he's got, I think he'd be a fabulous fit. So to answer your question, mate, I don't know, because the legends that have gone have just been too good. Robo, Deserby, him, made well with

Spurs Day in the Premier League, Unai Emery, of course, won a trophy this week with the villa. Could they add that bit of spice? Well, there's a character, isn't it? You know, you're talking about the managerial credentials of these people, but it's actually the characters. It's the press conferences. It's the

pre-match. It's the post-match. It's the two days before the press conferences, the way that they handle themselves, and that's what we buy into. We love this and we talk about it week in, week out, day in, day out. And these managers are the characters that do that. And Pep's got the perfect art of letting you in a little bit, but not letting you in too far,

shows you're not supposed to see what's behind the curtain. And that's what the sign of a good manager is. And I always say it, and it's a phrase that I use all the time when I'm commentating, the greatest gift you can give a good manager is time. And that's been proven with Mikhail Artetta at Arsenal. He's a good coach, he's a good manager, You give him time, he'll win something.

Pep Guadiola, you give him time. And another one is a manager, not a coach, not a head of football, a manager. You look at the successful teams in this country, Manchester City under Pep, who's the manager. Liverpool at the time under Juergen Klopp, he was the manager. Unae Emery is the manager at Aston Villa. And then Mikhail Arteta, he's the manager at Arsenal. All these different variations, all the staff in and around trying to assist and do the right thing. You need a manager who's in charge.

And that's back to your original question, the character, somebody who's got the big enough personality to lead a football club. Clinton, what kind of personality is Jabby Alonzo going to bring to Chelsea, but the Premier League as well? I think Javier Lonso would be good. I think Chelsea, if they can get recruitment sorted in the summer, I think they'll surprise a lot of people. Listen, I thought I would have loved Chavi Alonzo to go to Liverpool.

And listen, I'm on a slot still in the job. So when a job like Chelsea has to come along, you have to grab it with both hands. But now, I think he's the top manager, Chavi Alonzo. He won't be one of them characters like Deserbie on the touchline. But what he is, he thinks about the game. He's a student on the game. I know it didn't work out for him at Royal Madrid.

But, you know, it's a big club. These things can happen. But I think it'll be a very good appointment for Chelsea. And I think we'll be talking a lot about Shavi Alonzo next season as. You know what we're saying about the characters of the game? And we talk about the managers and the managers that are leaving the Premier League. The perfect example that highlights the point that I'm trying to make is Jose Marino. The game's moved. The game's moved on.

Yes, he's gone undefeated at Benfica this season. Arguably the Portuguese league is very different to other leagues in Europe. But Real Madrid have got a problem. And they need a personality. They need a manager to go in there into the dressing room and not necessarily be a disciplinarian, but for want of a better phrase, to sort out the dressing room, to sort out what's happening inside Real Madrid. And they've gone, do know what?

We'll take a step back. He's going to do this for us. We need somebody to sort that dressing room out and deal with the characters that he's got in front of him. I think you're looking at it too deep. I sit here and when I think about the great press conferences and the sort of the Friday lunchtimes, I call it, I want to sit down on my sofa,

a Friday lunchtime with a sandwich and I want to hear managers going for it. And you enjoy it and you enjoy sort of the theatre aspect of it as well because the football comes Saturday, Tuesday, great, but it's everything else around it. You want to hear people jabbing, and that's what the likes of Marina and Guardiola and all these names that have flown through the divisions have done.

I mean, if Sergei Akirovich brings Hull City up, believe me, you're in for a treat, because he's a cool guy. He's a very, very cool guy. Size me up once in a commentary, in a little interview room, and that was not fun because he's a big man. Don, just on Jabby Alonzo, does he need autonomy more than anything else?

He needs to have a lot more control than previous managers have had. And I think he'll get it because he commands respect. He's not a rookie coach. He's not a young guy. He's well respected as a footballer and a manager. Chelsea hierarchy need to back down and listen to the professionals now. The sports scientists and the owners, they need to take a step back and listen to what Jabby Alonzo wants.

His needs, as we've all been saying for quite a while now, is experience. he needs experience on the pitch the model's been a little bit nuts in terms of just buying young players the signans have gone atcho and Jamie Gittins last summer young players both play in the same position it just

it sort of typified what Chelsea were doing it didn't really make any sense I think and it depends on what they get they could go to Sunnland at the weekend I don't think they'll win at Sunnland I think Sunnland will be all over them and a couple of the Chelsea players might have their World Cup heads on

I'm not sure they go there and win. So there could be a scenario where Chelsea have no European football whatsoever. Then, if that's the case, they could be in a fantastic position to make some sort of title charge next year. Antonio Conte had it when he was Napoli manager a couple of seasons back. They had no European football. He went in one Saturday. You've saw what's happened to Man United this season.

Shambles at the start of the season. Michael Cagg's done a great job, but no European football. They've got themselves into the third, as we speak. So yeah, depending on what happens to Chelsea in terms of where they finish, they could be real dark courses if they've got no European football whatsoever next year, but he needs control.

How does Michael Carrick then take it up a level because they're playing Champions League football next year? It's going to be a whole new kettle of fish. They're not going to go out and get knocked out in round one of the league cup again or round two whenever it was against Grimsby earlier in the season. They want to be fighting on all front and they want to have a title challenge

because there's no Guardiola at City anymore. Arnold slots Liverpool are all over the shop It's Arsenal and the rest now Well they might be making sign-ins The one I've read about Which I've seen and play for years now Is Edison at Atlanta And they're playing Fiorentina tonight

And he's not playing He plays every single week He plays every single game He's on the bench So he's rumoured the Brazilian To Begain to Man United at 26 He's a brilliant player Great age

Got legs in that midfield So Michael will know Michael will know, and he assesses his squad he's going to have to make, because now they're in Champions League football, they're going to have to make top signings and buy Champions League players because that's what Man United need now.

They're not a project anymore, and now Michael's got the job, two-year contract. He's got to make sure now he's not interim manager. The job's on him now, so the window that he has in the summer could be key. Clinton, why am I reading Irrallet's Palace? Why are you reading?

Because it's a strong rumor. Rumors don't. Look at rumors. Rumors happen that Pepp was going to leave Man City. It happened. I think they are in the mix for him. And I know a lot of people say, yeah,

it's a sideward step because of how good he's done at Bournemouth. But yeah, he's decided he wants to move on from Bournemouth and a different challenge. I fought quite possibly the Chelsea job, but then obviously Shavi Alonzo comes available. I think Don made a good point that Ariel is a top manager can come. Yeah, Liverpool, good shout.

I'll be all over him. Yeah, you would be. but do you think Don, I was going to ask you, do you think they'll stick with Arna Slot? I think they'll give him the start of the season, do you? Do you know what, mate? I'm torn. I think you're right.

But if Brentford Rock up at Anfield and it's a little bit toxic because obviously Mo Salah and Andy Robertson are moving on and that doesn't end well, as in Arna Slot doesn't put Mo Salah in the squad or it doesn't get a good result. It's like that place could turn. If I was Liverpool,

I'd be making the phone call to Ira Oloff, for sure. asking the question. Do you know the first one I'd pick up the phone if I was Liverpool? I'd pick up the phone a pep. I'd pick up the phone a pep and I'd say to him, listen, I know you want to break, but would you? And when it says no, then you go to Iroola and you say right. Because the trouble with, this is the contradiction or the, if you're a Liverpool hierarchy and you say right, we're steadfast, we're going to stick what aren't a slot. And let's just say the fixtures come at the start the season and Liverpool get Chelsea away and you lose the first game.

Then you maybe draw the second game. You might draw Man United or someone. You get off to a bad start. The crowd then will quickly turn. Then if you've got to sack on a slot inside five games, all the managers that Robbo's just named there. They might be all gone. So the top of the table is sewn up.

Still, all to play for at the bottom end. Two points separate West Ham United and 18th. Spurs in 17th. Spurs at home. to Everton, avoid defeat and they stay up as West Ham will need to produce a Premier League record size win at home to Leeds to make up the goal difference. Both teams have been present in the top tier for the last 14 seasons. So of course, it's a big deal, whoever goes down. Who falls, who survives? Of course, we've got a former West Ham United man alongside us,

and we've got a former Spurs goalkeeper. And then we've got Clinton Morrison as well. So I don't know who wants to wade straight in first. Don, talk about your hammers. Come on, David Moyes. Come on, Moise. Ex-Western manager. Can you go to Spurs and put them down? Come on, Moise. I literally haven't got a clue, pal, and I don't think anyone does. There could be a scenario where both of them lose. There could be a scenario where both of them win and then Spurs stay up. I'm on comms for the game, and I love this type of game where it's... It's absolute jeopardy. Me and Robo, Robo was on Al-Nasana last night,

and I was on Al-Halal. It was the same sort of scenario. You know, and it's the same. There's going to be jeopardy. There's going to be back and forth. There's going to be a goal somewhere. The fans are going to be letting DeJerbi know what's happening at West Ham. And same with Noon.

I think it's going to be amazing. It's a weekend that nobody wants. I mean, I've been waiting to find out where I was going this weekend for broadcasting. and when Ross the boss phoned me and he went, you go out into Spurs, I went, oh, no, he's just one place. Robbo, if you, there's no logic in this, right? Because it's not, it's end of the season, it's jeopardy,

it's emotion, it's everything that goes on. If you use a logic and Spurs as home form this season, you'd say Evan will go there and win, yeah, and West Ham win. But I don't know if any logic in it, it's a motion. Listen, I think Don's right. I think there'll be a lot of twists and toes that. I think West Ham will beat Leeds. I actually do think West Ham at home with the fans behind them beat leads.

The only thing is, is if Evan was still chasing Europe, but then you look at the David Moyes effect, he doesn't want to do West Ham any favours. But at the same time, you know what Moise is like. He wants to win every single game. And Tottenham's home record this season, Aaron, has been nowhere near good enough. I think, as Don said, there'll be twists and turns. I think West Ham take the lead.

Yeah, do you know what you could see? You could see West Ham winning. I'd say West Ham will beat Leeds at home final day of the season. And talking to get in a draw. Do you know what I was going to say exactly that? Everton winning. Everton will win them with five minutes to go, 10 minutes to go.

Spurs, score, get a draw and stay up. Exactly that. Last minute.com. Madison, top corner. How nervy? How nervy do these grounds get? Because again, it's going to be the old-fashioned days of having the pocket radio, Don. I'd imagine this the BBC sounds up nowadays.

Do you know what, Aaron, right? I played in the game in 98 for Everton, home against Coventry, Dionne Dublin's Coventry. And we needed to win the game. Well, actually, we needed to bet as someone else's result. And I had to watch, we've done a watch along for the Premier League in COVID, and we watched the game back.

And we drew 1-1. Garra Farrelly scored, the best goal he's ever scored in his life. Right foot. He was a lefty, but he hit up with his right, and he sliced right across it, straight into the stanchion. And then Dionne Dublin scored with 10 minutes to go. I'd actually forgotten the watch-along. Nick Barambi missed a penalty in that game for us because when you're in game and when it's all about emotion, I can remember playing the

game and watching the game in the watchlong thinking, I'm having an absolute mayor here and so as everyone else because what was happening is you didn't want to be the man that made a mistake. So we're a Gooderson and every ball that was knocking down. We just helped it on in the corner and we helped it on in the corner and we kicked it as far away from our goal as possible. No one showed any sort of nerve or any poised to get on the ball and bring it down. It wasn't that type of game. It wasn't a day for it. So you just give Kov the ball back.

And then it comes back to you. We got a result on that day and we stayed up on goal difference. That's our title. Are you aware of what's going on, like elsewhere? 100%. Is it through the crowd or is it through like a physio or someone that doesn't have a message?

Well, crowd, because you feel it. Because you can, if you're playing a game and you'll say, let's just say the scenario, you're an hour into the game. And it's nil-nil-nil and your game. you hear a massive cheer, like from, say, the Everton fans that day, you know someone scored elsewhere because we haven't scored. So you know something's gone on. So then, like, the adrenaline and, like, the nerves and, like, everything's heightened in your system, thinking, like, we can't,

we don't know what's going on, but we trust our home fans and they're telling us, and they're in, a ball might go out for a throwing. And then fans will give you the information. Like, someone's scored, they're winning one-nill, and they're, like, close to tears and, like, emotion. easily find out in-game. Obviously, the stats don't make for good reading for West Ham United and the permutations and the opt-to-supercomputers come out and said they've got an 85-5% chance of getting relegated. And obviously, you know, we're realistic.

We understand that as well because the way the table is after 37 games. Is it genuinely a bit of a one-off, though? Is it one of those ones, Clinton? Yeah, it's definitely a one. 85%'s a bit. It's a bit harsh. I know why it is. See, that's the complex.

That's the computer clinic. No emotion whatsoever. It doesn't kind of like bottle. Exactly. Don't know the game and don't know the emotions that are going to go in it. Tottenham will be nervous, Aaron. The home form has been nowhere near good enough. They did not want to play a David Moy's team in Everton for sure because Moise is never on the beach. You want to play a team that are fully on the beach with their sandals. This Everton team won't be on the beach. So it's going to be a different game. It'll be a difficult game for Tottenham and we've seen it.

They'll be nervous. As Don said, you hear from fans. If West Ham have scored, Tottenham fans will be proper quiet. And then you might hear a cheer from them to try and get behind their team and get them going. But there'll be a lot of noises.

Let me tell you that. I think this is going to go right down to the web. Just on West Ham, if they do go down, I mean, Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London last week, was urging Londoners to start supporting Chelsea because he's come up with a figure. If West Ham United are relegated,

there is a figure which will which will be sort of added to the taxpayer's burden on the London Stadium. But it's presumed that the crowds will go down from sort of 62,000 or 60,000 down to the mid to late 30s. What does it mean for that football club? Will they be okay for the year

because they have assets to sell but it's sort of like the year's following that they could be trouble on. Aaron, do you know my take on it, right? my take on it is West Ham as a football club will be absolutely fine because we've been there before

West Ham have been there before I've been there as a West Ham player before you've been there with the safety of the bowling ground and having your own stadium and you know having assets right now financially the picture is very messy West Ham fans I get what you're saying I get the relationship between the fans and the board

I totally get it I understand it I live in a West Ham area so I live it I breathe it but I know that football club with West Ham fans, they'll be back. The biggest worry is if Spurs go because Spurs have never done this before and if Spurs go, they could be away for a long time.

Yeah. I agree. They'll lose a lot as well as. Yeah. They'll lose a lot, Tottenham. Okay, yeah, I mean, just on Spurs, what does Derby do for this game? Do you go too up top?

Do you pair of Charleston up with someone? Do you bring Madison in? What would you do? No, but I don't think you change much, do you? Because you saw it when they went to Chelsea. It'll be the same team. You know, Madison can't come in. Because Madison, yeah, same team.

Charles Sintel, Cuomo, Colomale. And then it'll be exactly the same team that he's gone with. Yeah, it will be. I tell you what's been a cry and shame today. And talking about players not reading the room, Christian Romero, the club captain, is not even going to be at the game.

He's going to be in Argentina watching his boyhood club. I mean I mean how I mean if you were a Spurs fan hearing that news you must be devastated or are you thinking

well that's the last time he'll ever play for Spurs that's the thing when he got injured I turned around and said I think it was on here I said I don't think

he'll play for Spurs again You do the right thing though Aaron you're a captain You have to be there You're getting paid You're getting paid by Tottenham Hotspur You've got a duty To be at that game

How if the club let him go And do that Dono Surely if you're one of the hierarchy You tell him, you've got to get back here. It might be something, Clint, along the lines of being away with Argentina, maybe he's using their physio. Okay, fair enough. Maybe.

But still come back for the last game, though. Wouldn't you come back for the last game? Clint, we've got something about us. Yeah. If I'm away with Scotland and you're away with Ireland, right? And he's away of Argentina and you're doing your rehab work for the World Cup. I'm flying back into London to watch my team, Topman play. 100% I am.

They pay my bills. debate. Yeah, they pay my wages, sorry. Yeah, they pay my wages. And they're my football club. I'm the captain. I don't want to be playing championship next season, even though he won't be at that football club. But it doesn't sit well with me that, Aaron. No way. But captains are different these days. We've gone from the days of the days of people like Big Popper when you played to people like Christian Romero. And we don't know the background story beyond it or why Christian Romero has decided to do this. But, you know, we do know he won't be at the lane. on Sunday as

Spurs, I hope to seal their Premier League survival. Just a quick start on West Ham. They've been sent down twice with the Premier League first in 2002, 2003 with a record 42 points. Of course, that was under Trevor Brooking, wasn't it?

I was there. Most recently 2010, 2011 under Avram Gran. If West Ham United get relegated, it will mean that next season will be the first top flight campaign not to feature any teams

beginning with W since 1910 11. Wow. Like that one? That's a start. That's a great start. You've done some homework tonight.

Well done you. Last one of the season, Aaron, you've turned up. I'm proud of you, me. Cheers. I tell you that,

I tell you the most nervy stadium will be Spurs. West Ham will be absolutely rocking for the game against Leeds. That'll be rocking. Spurs are going to be anxious. Most fans are going to be

all over the. the place. Paul Robinson, do you agree? I'm back. I do apologise. We just had our Wi-Fi reinstated. He'll appear in Yorkshire. Yeah, I'm back and working. Yes, I do think it's going to be a nervous situation. I mean, there's going to be one club next year in the championship with one massive stadium.

There's going to be big cavernous gaps in it. It's going to be nervy. It's going to be horrible. Speaking from experience, I've been relegated twice. And, you know, regardless of what anybody says to you, pressure does strange things. You know, form goes out of the window. It's a complete one-off game. We all talk about the championship playoff final being the most lucrative game in football.

I think you can put these two games into that bracket as well. It's going to be nervy. It's going to be edgy. It's going to be horrible. Everyone's going to go there full of hope, anticipation, expectation. But the first 10 minutes go by, there's no goals. It's just not going to play out very nicely. It's going to be horrible.

Unless you score early and you're on top in a game, there's no way that either set of supporters can enjoy this weekend. Don Clinton, Paul. thank you all so much. It's set up to be an incredible final day and you can keep across all of the action on BBC Radio 5 Live this Sunday afternoon. As always, thank you for listening. Five Live Sports.

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