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The Managers is your new go-to podcast for straight-talking football insight, hosted by former Premier League bosses Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis. Each week, the experienced duo break down the biggest talking points from across the English game — no fluff, no filters. They’ll also sit down with managers from all levels of the game to dig into the real-life challenges of life in the dugout, exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between. Can podcasting get any better? It can…
28 Episodes
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by management royalty - former Wimbledon, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest boss Dave Bassett!
Brought to you by BOYLE Sports.
Dave reflects on his non-league beginnings and his remarkable rise with Wimbledon, guiding the unfancied club from the Fourth Division to the top flight in just nine years.
He shares stories from the infamous “Crazy Gang” era before turning to another dressing room packed with big personalities at Sheffield United - including the formidable Billy Whitehurst.
The conversation also explores his spell at Nottingham Forest, where he opens up about the challenges of managing the mercurial Pierre van Hooijdonk.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis dive into the Premier League title race - and ask the big question: do Arsenal have the nerve to go all the way?
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The pair assess the Gunners’ form alongside that of reigning champions Manchester City. They also discuss the future of City manager Pep Guardiola and the legacy he would leave should he decide to step away from the club.
The relegation battle is also under the microscope, with a closer look at the situations facing Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Plus, the conversation turns north to the Scottish Premiership title race, and reflects on Sheffield Wednesday’s record-breaking relegation from the English Football League.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by Martin Allen
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Martin reflects on the early days of his playing career, explaining how working under George Graham at Queens Park Rangers helped shape his approach to management.
He also looks back on his own time in the dugout, sharing stories of some of the unconventional motivational techniques he employed along the way.
The conversation turns to his short, eventful spell at Leicester City. Plus, he reveals how he once cheated Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho out of an award.
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1In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by Alex McLeish.
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Alex reflects on the early stages of his playing career and working under Ally MacLeod, Billy McNeill, and Sir Alex Ferguson.
He then looks back on his own managerial career, including the trophy-laden spell in charge of his boyhood club, Rangers
The conversation turns to his time in charge of Scotland, Birmingham City, and Aston Villa, before he explains how he convinced Scott McTominay to represent Scotland.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis discuss the scrutiny on Thomas Frank and why he should be given more time at Tottenham.
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The guys look at Michael Carrick’s dream start as interim manager at Manchester United and whether the club should keep him and avoid another big-name appointment.
They also discuss the current uncertainty at Crystal Palace and whether keeping Oliver Glasner on until the end of the season is the right answer.
Plus, there’s time to talk about the EFL, including Coventry’s dip in form and that incredible rant from Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by Steve McClaren
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Steve reflects on the early stages of his coaching career, sharing how Jim Smith played a pivotal role in shaping him at Derby County.
He then looks back on his time at Manchester United, including working under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson and being part of the historic treble-winning side of 1999.
The conversation turns to his spell at Middlesbrough, where Steve guided the club to its first major trophy and an unforgettable European adventure.
He also opens up about his time as England manager and explains why the pressure of the role is unlike anything else in football.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by Lee Bowyer.
Brought to you by BOYLE Sports.
Lee reflects on his early playing career, discussing how reserve-team football played a crucial role in shaping him as a teenager.
He then looks back on his time at Leeds United, including working under George Graham, undergoing surgery to save his eyesight, and surviving a plane crash involving the first-team squad.
The conversation moves on to his spell at Newcastle United, where he played under Sir Bobby Robson and Graeme Souness - and, of course, the infamous altercation with team-mate Kieron Dyer.
Lee also opens up about his managerial career, sharing the challenges he faced during his time in charge at Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by Iain Dowie.
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Iain reflects on his early playing career and how his non-league beginnings helped shape him, before sharing stories from a notoriously wild West Ham dressing room.
He then looks back on his first managerial role at Oldham Athletic, including his influential meeting with fitness coach John Harbin.
The conversation moves on to his time at Crystal Palace, where he masterminded a remarkable promotion to the Premier League and experienced a high-profile falling out with owner Simon Jordan.
Plus, Iain discusses his spell at Queens Park Rangers under owner Flavio Briatore and opens up about his health scare in 2024.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis discuss the fallout from Ruben Amorim’s sacking at Manchester United.
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The guys look at the breakdown in relationships at Old Trafford, why taking on the board rarely works, and who could be next in the head coach role.
They also discuss the possibility of Liam Rosenior becoming the next Chelsea boss - with Tony offering a word of warning.
West Ham’s poor form is examined, along with what needs to change to help them turn things around.
Plus, there’s time to talk about the issues at Celtic and the impressive form of Rangers, Brentford, and Sunderland.
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This week on The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis go head-to-head in the very first Managers Quiz.
Hosted by Quickly Kevin and Let’s Be Having You’s Chris Scull, the pair are put through five rounds of trivia designed to test their football knowledge.
From transfer fees and starting XIs to iconic quotes, the quiz covers it all.
But who takes the crown? Watch to find out!
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis discuss all things Christmas.
They take us inside what Christmas Day is like in the McCarthy and Pulis households and how they juggled those requirements during their playing days.
The conversation delves into how they handled player Christmas parties during their managerial careers and whether having the players in for training on Christmas Day was worth it.
They also talk about whether they ever suspected players purposefully getting themselves banned to get Christmas off, as well as the lack of Boxing Day fixtures in the Premier League this year.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by Alan Curbishley
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Alan reflects on his early playing days and his first step into management at Charlton Athletic, where he took on a joint player-manager role alongside Steve Gritt.
He recounts leading Charlton to the Premier League, including what many consider to be the greatest play-off final of all time.
The discussion also covers his experience managing Paolo Di Canio, before Alan opens up about the circumstances surrounding his departure from The Valley.
Plus, Alan looks back on his spell as West Ham manager during a turbulent period - from attempting to reignite Carlos Tevez’s career to navigating the fallout of the Icelandic banking crash and discovering players had been sold without his knowledge.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis debate whether Aston Villa are genuine title contenders following their impressive win over Premier League leaders Arsenal.
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The guys break down the outstanding form of Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rodgers, with Mick sharing insights from his time working with him at Blackpool.
They also examine Leeds United’s resurgence under Daniel Farke, highlighting how recent tactical tweaks have sparked a turnaround in performances.
The conversation delves into the tension between Thomas Frank and a certain section of the Tottenham support.
Talking of tension - Mick and Tony have their say on the rift between Arne Slot and Mo Salah at Liverpool.
Plus, there’s time for the guys to talk about the incredible form of Everton and the job being done by David Moyes.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by Chris Hughton.
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Chris details his early beginnings at Tottenham as a player before discussing the incredible work done by Jack Charlton for the Republic of Ireland.
He chats about the start of his own coaching career at Tottenham and how he had to build his confidence.
The conversation moves on to his spell in charge of Newcastle United, where Chris reveals what really happened in the lead-up to his surprising dismissal.
Plus, Chris takes us inside the Brighton transfer strategy.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis break down the growing crisis at Liverpool.
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What exactly has gone wrong for Arne Slot’s side? The guys explore the possible causes, including the struggles of record signing Alexander Isak.
With so many rivals slipping up, are Arsenal now the only true title contenders or can Chelsea challenge?
Rob Edwards is the new man in at Wolves - but can he turn their season around?
And at Leeds, Daniel Farke is under mounting pressure, though should he be given more time?
Plus, Mick and Tony share their verdict on the World Cup play-offs after a dramatic international break.
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This week on The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by Roy Hodgson
Brought to you by BOYLE Sports.
Roy reflects on the beginnings of his managerial journey in Sweden and the early roles that shaped his career. He discusses his spell at Inter Milan, coaching at the iconic San Siro, and his transition to the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers.
The conversation delves into his remarkable work at Fulham and the reasons his time at Liverpool didn’t unfold as he’d hoped.
Plus, Roy shares insights from his tenure as England manager and gives his thoughts on the nation’s prospects ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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This week on The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by the one and only Peter Crouch!
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Peter opens up about his early years in football and the managers who shaped his journey. He reflects on working with Harry Redknapp and Jim Smith, before sharing insights into his move to Liverpool - and why he believes he could have stayed longer.
The conversation dives into his England career, in particular the mood in the camp under Fabio Capello.
Plus, Peter talks about his spell working under Tony at Stoke - so what was it really like?!
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This week on The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by former Tottenham and Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood.
Brought to you by BOYLE Sports.
Tim reflects on the managers that played a huge role in shaping him as player before he made his move to Blackburn Rovers.
He explains Kenny Dalglish’s workings at Blackburn and how they became Premier League champions.
The conversation dives into Tim’s spell in charge of Tottenham - that rant following defeat at Chelsea, bringing Emmanuel Adebayor back into the fold and giving Harry Kane a chance.
Tim also talks about his time at Aston Villa - working with Jack Grealish and managing the challenges of player sales.
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In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis discuss the Premier League title race.
Brought to you by BOYLE Sports.
Is it now Arsenal’s title to lose after rivals Liverpool and Manchester City once again faltered?
They discuss The Gunners’ incredible defensive record and the issues behind Liverpool and City’s indifferent form.
Sunderland and Bournemouth are flying - Mick and Tony talk about their incredible starts.
Also on the agenda - West Ham and Wolves’ struggles, Coventry’s red hot form and Hearts topping the Scottish Premier League.
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This week on The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by none other than Sean Dyche.
Brought to you by BOYLE Sports.
Sean reflects on his early playing days at Nottingham Forest and the key figures who shaped his journey from player to manager.
He shares stories of getting support from fellow managers - Mick included - during tricky transfer windows, and how he dealt with getting sacked by Watford.
The conversation dives into his remarkable tenure at Burnley, his views on how the game has evolved in the modern era, and his time at Everton - both on the pitch and dealing with the club’s off-field turbulence.
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