El Partido

The 'Journeyman' in the UK is a mythical beast. You see him rock up at a league rival, knowing that he could potentially pulling on your colours the following season, adding you to the list of badges he's represented. That sentiment isn't as common in Spain - some may even say it's normal for a player to have several clubs across his career in Spanish football due the nature of short term contracts and other varying factors - but we say this stops now! We need Spain to embrace the Journeyman (or Viajero Futbolero) so this week, Nick and Paul have picked out their favourite 5 players from Spanish football who you could label the Spanish Football Journeyman! Available now wherever you get your podcast, over on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2004, a man with the nickname “El Ingeniero” would accept a job in the small town of Villarreal. An ambitious move to appoint the Chilean would be the foundation of Villarreal establishing themselves as a domestic and European force but also sent La Liga on a long term love affair with this man. That man is one Manuel Pellegrini! In this episode, Nick & Paul are joined by Rahul (@laligalondon) to talk about Pellegrini across his 4 stints as a manager in Spain and what the impact and lasting legacy of one of the most interesting, respected and successful managers in La Liga history will be. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, over on our Patreon page on on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some things just go together. Salt and Pepper, Roasts and Gravy and of course, Liam and Yeclano Deportivo. We are delighted for this week's El Partido en Directo that Liam once again heads to the Murcia region as Yeclano Deportivo host the Abuelo, Recreativo de Huelva in a top end of the table Segunda Federacion clash - with both sides having aspirations of an immediate return to the Primera RFEF! Liam also takes us on a Tecera Federacion side quest of a visit to El Palmar as well as brings us some chats with our friends in Yecla. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back in 2007, Real Racing Club were a solid side treading water in La Liga - Enter Marcelino! The former Recre de Huelva manager came to Cantabria and ripped up the rulebook, turning Racing Santander into a challenger at the top of the La Liga table and would eventually bring European football to El Sardinero for the first time in the clubs history. Nick and Paul dig deep into how he managed to transform this side and the players that would go onto to become legends in Santander! Available wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our first Halloween special, we bring you a collection of spooky Spanish football stories including haunting howlers, terrifying shockers and scary screamers! We also look at the 'Haunting of Getafe' where a routine Barcelona win in Getafe on Halloween turned into a nightmare that would question the integrity and image of the club in the Spanish media! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There was once a player from El Salvador that Diego Maradona once described as 'a better player than Maradona and Pele'. The man he was referring to never went on to reach the accolades of those two players but his skills and love of the game would make an entire city in Spain fall in love with him. Of course, we are talking about Mágico González and Cadiz Club de Futbol! We are joined by Mark from the Living Lacita Loca podcast to talk all about their love for Mágico González and subsequently, his love for Cadiz. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a football weekend in Madrid for Matt and friends with Malaga heading to Butarque to take on Leganés. Matt is joined by the lads from the Spanish Segunda show as Malaga look to build on their emphatic defeat of Depor last weekend, whilst the home side need to start picking up results if they have any aspirations of returning to La Liga at the first time of asking. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Diego Simeone has always been a serial winner but his exploits with Atletico Madrid have not just earned him the respect of his peers - but he has broken the duopoly in Spanish football and introduced a third horse into the race. He often gets brushed playing with a 'certain brand' of football - which is so far from the truth. His longevity is based on his team building and the culture of 'Cholismo' that he introduced. This week, Nick & Paul are joined by Emmanuek Lagovez of the Partido a Partido podcast, to celebrate all things Diego Simeone! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another week, another special edition of En Directo - this time from the incredible Unio Esportiva Sant Andreu. A staple of the ever-growing popularity of non-league football in the city of Barcelona, Sant Andreu are an incredible club that are the face of this movement, as well as Catalan traditions. Join Liam Bambridge as he brings us his report of Sant Andreu v Valencia Mestalla in the Segunda Federacion! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's not often you get to meet one of the inspirations for your entire podcast but we had that joy this week as we were joined by the one and only Guillem Balagué! We go back to where it all started with a Revista de La Liga love-in, talk about the Maradona Nostalgia and all about his brand new book, Rise of the Villains - the Unai Emery Aston Villa Revolution! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have another brilliant episode of El Partido en Directo to bring, once again for our man in Spain - Mr Matt Harrison. This week, he is making the trip back to where it all began in Espana to the Abuelo of Spanish football - Huelva. Listen as he takes us back to the historic city on the Atlantic Coast and takes us to the Nuevo Colombino to watch Recreativo de Huelva take on Lorca Deportiva in the Segunda Federacion! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Sunshine Coast is a hotbed of football, with clubs big and small dotted along this picturesque part of Spain. It's also the home to many fantastic footballers past and present so we wanted to take the opportunity to talk all about them with the man behind the Costa del Fútbol - Luke Chambers! We get to talk about some of those unique clubs along the Costa but also look at some of the great players from the area. Now available wherever you get your podcasts, over on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, we finally get to talk about about one of the most fascinating clubs in Spanish football, or world football for that matter - Athletic Club Bilbao! We are delighted to be joined by the brilliant Christopher Evans, author of Los Leones, as we discuss everything from Bielsa to Basque culture and most importantly, what makes Atheltic Club unique in the world! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, over on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have received another brilliant installment for El Partido en Directo and this week, we get to join Alex O'Brien (@AlcorconIrlanda) in the beautiful town of Antequera as his follows his beloved Alcorcon to the Malaga region in the hope of securing a win that would possibly take them top of the league! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and through our Patreon. If you are heading to get a game of Spanish football this weekend, why not send us a report yourself - get in touch with us through social media to find out more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, Nick is delighted to be joined by the man behind the brilliant Estadios de España blog, Chris Clements. As always, they will take a nostalgic view on stadiums of the past and the memories that go with them whilst also asking the questions, do their replacements capture the essence that made them so special and why are the Spanish so good at upgrading estadios?! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, over on our Patreon and on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

France is known for many a great thing - baguettes, the Citreon Berlingo and of course, footballers! We're back again with another installment of 'Our Favourite XIs' and Nick is once again joined by our resident team selector, Matt Harrison as we discuss our all time favourite French footballers to have graced La Liga! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spain was one of later countries to embrace professional football during the late 1920's and just as it started to gather momentum, it was abruptly interupted with outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. We are delighted to be joined by Chris Lee, author of 'Origin Stories', 'Shades of Green' and the spectacular 'The Defiant - A History of Football against Fascism' as we discuss how football in Spain was affected by the Civil War and how football became a tool during the Franco Era but how it also contributed to the rebirth of Spain as a democracy. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are back for our first episode of Season 2 of El Partido and we have a brilliant guest to start with! We are delighted to welcome Brendan Madden (Futbol es La Leche) to talk about his brilliant new book 'Once Upon a Time in La Liga'. By delving into the archives and secret files, Brendan has compiled the most incredible stories that you may or may have heard of from Spanish football. In this episode, we'll talk to Brendan about his story with football in Spain, the 'Black Armbands' and how carnival in Cadiz created one of the most popular himnos! Available now in your usual podcast places, YouTube and now on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He's back to make it a trilogy to rival all trilogies. Matt Harrison follows up on the breakout hit of Granada CF v Al Ain with two fantastic games from the wonderful city. During this week, he's been to two games between sides based in 4th and 5th tiers of Spanish football and visited some brilliant barrios estadios to tick off the list! Available now wherever you get your podcasts. If you'd like to feature on El Partido en Directo, then drop us a message on socials to let us know where you'll be watching this weekend! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are being well and truly spoilt this weekend with not one, but two EP en Directo entries and this one is our FIRST ever top table La Liga report direct from the Estadio. Thank you to Russ Pearce (Seagulls over Spain) for sending us his report from the Estadio Martinez Valero where La Liga newcomers Elche take on Europa Conference League Finalists, Real Betis in their opening game of the 2025/26 season! Available now wherever you get your podcasts. If you're heading to a game in Spain this weekend, why not send us your report? Drop us a message on socials for more information! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices