Episodes
Andy is joined by Lars Sivertsen and Jonathan Johnson to tuck into some more intriguing questions as the European domestic season reaches its dramatic conclusion. We wonder which of the coaching free agents - Conte, Mourinho, Potter, Zidane, Flick et al - will snag a new job this summer. Plus, we despair at the state of Schalke, ask if Dortmund should think twice about changing coach and JJ gives us the lowdown on French football's spicy finale. Allez! Ask us a question...
Published 05/03/24
Unbelievably Dortmund has the best defensive record in the Champions League this season. Today Andy Brassell is joined by Lars Sivertsen and Jonathan Johnson to unpick how Dortmund keep performing in Europe and dissect what PSG need to change for the second leg. In the other semi-final, it was vintage Tuchel in the second half from Bayern, however, Lars and JJ explain how throwing Kim under the bus might not have helped his cause to stay at the club next season. Plus, ahead of the Europa...
Published 05/02/24
It was a historic weekend in Portuguese football. Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa’s 42-year reign as president of FC Porto came to an end after André Villas-Boas secured a landslide victory in the presidential elections. However, it wasn’t a quiet campaign. In November last year, there was a violent outbreak in the club's General Assembly and a number of the club's ultras, who have long supported Pinto da Costa, have been arrested in the aftermath. So today, Andy Brassell talks to Author,...
Published 05/01/24
Does Arne Slot have what it takes to succeed Jürgen Klopp? With La Liga’s president talking about games in the US, how much can European leagues really sell themselves abroad? What’s happened to Sassuolo since their halcyon De Zerbi days? And what’s on the to do list for Dortmund’s new CEO of sport, Lars Ricken?  Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini are on hand to field your questions this week!  Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected]. For...
Published 04/26/24
“Io sto qua e io resto qua” (I’m here, I am staying here). The king of the cups, Simone Inzaghi, has finally gone one step further and won his first - and Inter’s 20th - Scudetto. Today Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini are here to explain why they see Inzaghi’s immediate future at Inter despite some huge managerial vacancies across Europe. Elsewhere, PSG are being made to wait for their Ligue 1 title, but Andy credits Luis Enrique for how he has managed this team despite some very tricky...
Published 04/25/24
10 days ago, Bayer Leverkusen won their first ever Bundesliga. Bayern Munich were dethroned at last. Last week, Andy Brassell went on the road with Leverkusen as their hunt for even more success this season continued – first at West Ham, then at Borussia Dortmund. Andy spoke to some of the fans, players and pundits closest to the club including Granit Xhaka, captain Lukas Hradecky, and OTC favourite Archie Rhind-Tutt. They offer a unique insight into what this title really means. Ask us a...
Published 04/24/24
How come English teams are playing the most continental style of football in Europe? Why do players move to Barcelona when it has become a “clown house”? Roma have hard launched their future with De Rossi, why now? What does Naby Keita’s future look like? And how will Bologna and Lewis Ferguson be impacted by his ACL injury? Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen have the answers on today’s Ask OTC! Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected]. For...
Published 04/19/24
And then there were four. Dotun and Andy are joined by Lars Sivertsen to get their heads around a dramatic conclusion to the Champions League last eight! Lars is gutted that PSG are finally turning into a sensible team, while Andy explains that Dortmund’s semi-final spot belies some far-from-sensible decision-making inside the club. Yes, Sven Mislintat might really be making a comeback. Plus, did Real Madrid really put in a “classic” European display or did Manchester City just fluff their...
Published 04/18/24
After a final like no other in Turkey, what has been the reaction to Fenerbahçe’s extraordinary protest and has anything changed because of it? Is it all aboard the Premier League train for Thomas Tuchel? How has a former Sunderland player who had been out of management for 12 years worked miracles at a Ligue 1 club?! Where does the ‘Allez Allez Allez’ chant come from – and why does pretty much every club sing it nowadays? Dotun, Andy and David are your continental tour guides for today’s Ask...
Published 04/12/24
What a week of Champions League football! Andy agrees with Luis Enrique’s belief that his PSG side play more like Barcelona than Barcelona. And yet ultimately Xavi’s own style of football got the better of his old manager in impressive fashion. Dotun, Andy and David are on hand to explain how! Elsewhere, David and Andy fear for the losers of Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund as both sides appear to be a ghost of their former, 2010s-golden-era selves. Plus, after the 'big four' offered up...
Published 04/11/24
What is Rúben Amorim’s journey so far and will he be a good fit with Liverpool? How have Valencia turned their fortunes around this season – even under Peter Lim’s ownership? Which coaches do other coaches learn from? And… why is Dotun speaking like Roy Hodgson in Norwegian? Dotun, David and Lars are back to answer your questions from the past week in European football! Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected]. For ad-free shows, head over...
Published 04/05/24
Dotun’s joined by David Cartlidge and Lars Sivertsen as one of this season’s biggest questions finally has an answer: Xabi Alonso will stay at Bayer Leverkusen next season. We contrast his fortunes with the dour ones of Thomas Tuchel, who is destined to angrily skulk through the exit door of yet another European powerhouse. Elsewhere, David is particularly scathing of Juventus’ reluctance to replace the uninspiring Max Allegri with any of the suitable options available. Could Bologna boss...
Published 04/04/24
How will Ligue 1 cope without its preeminent star next season? Where next for one of Xabi Alonso’s most promising young talents, Florian Wirtz? Plus, why are all the major nations struggling ahead of Euro 2024 and why did the Basque Country play their first international fixture in four years? Dotun, Andy and Jonathan Johnson answer all of YOUR questions! Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected]. For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon...
Published 03/29/24
We’re one step closer to the Euros after this international break but how are the runners and riders placed ahead of the tournament? Today, Jonathan Johnson tells Dotun and Andy how France has reacted to their unexpected loss to Germany and Andy identifies which player is the “Harry Maguire” of their national team. Elsewhere, the panel explain how Roberto Martínez has made Portugal a dangerous prospect for the Euros. Plus, as domestic football returns this weekend, JJ explains how injury has...
Published 03/28/24
The international break gives Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini the chance to look ahead towards the end of the European domestic season. They wonder if impending financial concerns might halt an Inter dynasty just as it’s getting started and rate some of the non-English contenders in the Europa Conference League. Plus, they assess the summer suitors for Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen, with PSG and several Premier League clubs reportedly interested. Ask us a question...
Published 03/22/24
The Turkish Süper Lig is currently hosting the most exciting title race in Europe. Yet sadly it was overshadowed this weekend after ugly scenes of violence again dominated the headlines. Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky explore whether the authorities could handle things better and reflect on the wider cultural issues that are effecting European football everywhere. On a related note, Andy and Nicky commend Luciano Spalletti for his decisive action in removing Francesco Acerbi from the Italy...
Published 03/21/24
Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini kick off today’s collection of questions with a look at next summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, as various clubs chase the potential financial rewards while players balk at the possibility of more fixtures. We also wonder what’s next for Maurizio Sarri and Rafa Benítez after they both lost their jobs this week, and check in on Portugal’s hottest striker, Viktor Gyokeres. Plus, why isn’t ZInedine Zidane regularly touted for the biggest managerial jobs? Ask us a...
Published 03/15/24
Diego Simeone pulled off another masterclass as Atleti beat Inter, one of the best sides in this season’s Champions League. Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky explain how they did it while also trying to solve the ongoing mystery which is Lautaro Martínez. Elsewhere, the mystery of Jadon Sancho’s future also rumbles on, Andy explains the possibilities of where he could be playing football next season. Plus, Nicky tries her best to analyse the slapstick defending that both Barcelona and Napoli...
Published 03/14/24
Are Gio Reyna’s woes part of a wider malaise at Dortmund, or does the fault lie with him? How has Ruben Loftus-Cheek been faring at AC Milan? What are the best title races outside the top 5 leagues? And if we were a wealthy investor, which club would we take over in Europe?! Plus, a very unexpected mention for Steve Kean… Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen answer all of YOUR questions! Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected]. For ad-free...
Published 03/08/24
Dotun and Andy are joined by Lars Sivertsen to look over a few potential Champions League contenders after their midweek matches. Real Madrid underwhelming but menacing? Check. Bayern and PSG flexing their expensive muscles? Also check. Elsewhere, we check in with Napoli’s own Ziggy Stardust, the Georgian wizard Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - who’s attracting a host of admiring glances from the Premier League and the rest of Europe. Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us...
Published 03/07/24
With news of Paul Pogba’s ban, there was only one place to start today’s Ask OTC. How did it come to this for one of the world’s very best midfielders? And how do we feel about the whole sorry affair? Plus, why is the Basque region enjoying a golden era this season? Are Sporting and Benfica the dark horses in the Europa League? And why is Real Mallorca making it to the final of the Copa del Rey a story we should all get behind?! David joins Dotun and Andy to answer all of your questions! Ask...
Published 03/01/24
Edin Terzić has always promised that his football at Dortmund would be “less sexy, more successful” but that hasn’t proved to be the case. Today, Dotun, Andy and David Cartlidge are here to explain how Dortmund have become unwatchable this season and – even worse – their players have become unsellable. One coach who has changed their philosophy is Diego Simeone. David explains how he loves Atlético too much to walk away despite being repeatedly let down by the owners. Plus, the Kylian Mbappé...
Published 02/29/24
Did Arsenal underestimate Porto? Can Bologna finish in Serie A’s top four this season? What was the now-binned media rights deal that got so many fans protesting in Germany? And why have Marseille turned to a manager who just got given his marching orders midway through the Africa Cup of Nations?! Dotun, Andy and Nicky are on hand for your European football questions! Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: [email protected]. For ad-free shows, head over to...
Published 02/23/24
The Champions of Italy met the Champions of Spain in the Champions League last night, so why did it feel so underwhelming? Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini answer that and also outline why a last 16 exit would be worse for Barcelona than it would be for Napoli. Elsewhere, they explain why Marko Arnautović isn’t the replacement striker that Inter Milan need and why a lack of stability could make Bayern Munich very unappealing to a new coach. Plus, Andy gives us an update on how long Bochum...
Published 02/22/24