Sacked in the Morning

Steve Claridge - Machetes, Thongs and Halftime Haymakers 02.06.2026 42min

Former striker and manager Steve Claridge sits down with Amy Irons and Craig Levein for a hilarious trek through his nomadic football career. He lifts the lid on playing under volatile managers like John Beck and Barry Fry, detailing a legendary halftime brawl that left his boss stuck in the physio machinery. Steve also shares brilliant stories about cutting thousands of cabbages with a machete hours before kickoff and explains the chaotic truth behind that infamous live TV gatecrashing involving a red leather thong

Mark McGhee: Aberdeen, Celtic and in the Dugout 26.05.2026 48min

Mark McGhee has seen it all, done it all, and lived to tell the tale. In this episode, the former forward looks back on his incredible journey through the game—from conquering Europe under Sir Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen to the relentless, high-pressure world of modern football management. Packed with brilliant dressing room anecdotes, career-defining moments, and honest reflections on the highs and lows of life in the dugout.

Gordon Dalziel - I Hammered My Foot to Escape Training! 19.05.2026 48min

From surviving the gruelling physical torment of Rangers' pre-season under Jock Wallace to a forgettable stint at Manchester City and becoming an absolute icon at Raith Rovers, former Scotland forward Gordon Dalziel joins us to look back on his wildly unpredictable life in the game. He opens up completely about his unique relationship with football, admitting he actually hated playing Saturdays because of crippling pre-match nerves and details how an unexpected Sunday morning intervention by manager Frank Connor completely saved his career. All that plus Gordon shares hilarious locker-room memories of the legendary Davie Cooper, why he kept a hammer in his bedroom as a teenager, and his chaotic "exaggerated" stories that landed him all over the front pages.

David Bentley - I Walked in on Wenger Naked! 12.05.2026 42min

From the North London luxury of Arsenal to the high-stakes world of international football and a dramatic retirement at 29, former England and Tottenham winger David Bentley joins us for a wide-ranging and candid reflection on his unique path through the game.He relives his formative years under Arsène Wenger, the thrill of the North London Derby, and the tactical brilliance, and occasional friction, experienced under managers like Fabio Capello, Mark Hughes, and Harry Redknapp. All that plus David opens up about the truth behind that infamous bucket of water.

Duckens Nazon - Ready to Shoot Down Scotland 05.05.2026 42min

With 44 goals in 80 appearances, Duckens Nazon is Haiti’s all‑time leading goalscorer — and on June 14 he’ll be hoping to fire a warning shot that could derail Scotland’s World Cup dreams before they even begin.Duckens joins Craig and Amy to look ahead to a huge summer, reflecting on Haiti’s historic qualification and what it truly means to people back home. He also opens up about life playing for St Mirren, adjusting to the Scottish weather, and the dramatic moment he was forced to flee Iran when war broke out. Plus, Craig tries a little pre‑match mind games ahead of that massive World Cup showdown.

Ramon Vega - How Spurs Lost Their Soul 28.04.2026 42min

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic defender Ramon Vega pulls no punches as he joins Sacked in the Morning, delivering a brutally honest verdict on the turmoil at Spurs – and why he believes the club has lost its soul. From lifting silverware at the old Wembley to playing through a broken ankle in the 1999 League Cup final, Ramon revisits a career defined by pressure, pain and unforgettable highs.We also dive deep into his cult‑hero spell at Celtic, from arriving in Glasgow expecting a place on the bench to scoring twice on his debut and becoming part of a treble‑winning side packed with big personalities. Which managers shaped him most? Who taught him football in a completely different way? And why does he believe modern football is drifting dangerously far away from its fans?

Paul Ritchie - Inside the Hearts title Challenge 21.04.2026 45min

Former Hearts, Manchester City and Rangers defender Paul Ritchie was part of the last Hearts team to run the Glasgow clubs close in a title race. What will be going through the current squads mind? Will they be talking about the possibility of winning the title?We also delve deep into Paul’s unforgettable career, packed with incredible stories from the dressing room and beyond. Which manager fined him for getting his hair cut too short? Which club signed him despite the boss never once meeting him? And which gaffer promised him a deal… then never phoned back?

Shaun Harvey – How Wrexham Blew Past Expectations 14.04.2026 45min

Craig Levein and Amy Irons talk to the man Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds hired to be the 'adult in the room' at their Wrexham project. Shaun Harvey has been right at the heart of everything the Hollywood duo have done in Wales. The former EFL chief executive and current Wrexham director joins us for a straight‑talking look at why this campaign has gone well beyond outside expectations. Away from the Wrexham story, Harvey reflects on setting targets without boxing players in, why belief inside a club matters more than noise from the outside, and how experience and planning can ride out injuries, pressure and scrutiny. Drawing on years at the top of the game, he opens up on managing expectations, earning success the hard way and what it really takes to keep a football club moving forward when everyone is watching.

Paddy Kenny - Neil Warnock and Me! 07.04.2026 44min

From non‑league pitches and rejection at 15 to Premier League promotion and international caps with Ireland, former Sheffield United, QPR and Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny joins us for a brutally honest look back at one of football’s most colourful careers. He relives his extraordinary relationship with Neil Warnock, from unforgettable dressing‑room moments and fierce touchline scraps to the trust that kept seeing him signed time and again. Paddy opens up on promotion highs, crushing setbacks, a nine‑month ban, clashes with managers and what it really takes to survive.

Kevin Thomson - Walter Smith gave me the Hairdryer! 17.12.2025 44min

From coming through the ranks at Hibernian to winning trophies and playing Champions League football with Rangers, former Scotland midfielder Kevin Thomson joins us to look back on a career full of big moments and bigger characters. He lifts the lid on life under Walter Smith, including receiving the famous hairdryer treatment, along with the highs, the injuries and the lessons learned along the way. From dressing rooms to dugouts via a stint in management with Kelty Hearts, Kevin tells us what it really takes to survive at the top of the game.

Ian McCall - I was sacked and handed my stuff in a bin bag! 10.12.2025 42min

After managing for nearly 1000games the former Ayr United, Partick Thistle and Dundee United gaffer talks us through his career across Scottish Football. From signing for Graeme Souness Rangers to starting his management career at Clydebank to getting sacked after receiving a standing ovation at Ibrox, Ian has seen it all and in this great episode he tells us exactly how it all happened.

Stephen Warnock - My Liverpool Return Was Blocked! 03.12.2025 45min

Former Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Leeds United defender Stephen Warnock sits down to reflect on his footballing career. He opens up about the highs and lows of his playing days, including when his entire team found themselves locked up in the cells, when Big Sam handed him his credit card plus his PIN number and the dramatic story of when Liverpool wanted him to return to Anfield and why it didn’t happen.

Clive Tyldesley - "...and Solskjaer has won it!" 26.11.2025 46min

One of football’s most iconic voices joins Craig and Amy for a revealing and often hilarious journey through life behind the mic. From reporting on Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough to rubbing shoulders with Bill Shankly, Graeme Souness and Sir Alex Ferguson, Clive lifts the lid on the moments that shaped his career and shares the one line of commentary he never said… but wishes he had

Kemar Roofe - Spygate, Murderball and Gerrard 19.11.2025 43min

Kemar Roofe joins Craig and Amy for an honest, lively and surprising look back at the moments that shaped his career. From breaking through at Oxford to playing under Marcelo Bielsa, Vincent Kompany and Steven Gerrard, Roofe reveals the standards, the pressure and the mindset behind his best football. He lifts the lid on “Murderball” training, that infamous Leeds spying incident, and the family support that kept him grounded long before he reached the Premier League or Rangers.

The Irrepressible Martin Allen 12.11.2025 48min

Joining Craig and Amy is the irrepressible Martin Allen. In a brilliantly funny and fascinating interview the former Brentford, Leicester City and Barnet gaffer reveals his unique man-management style (less said about the wine gum the better), how his upbringing influenced him plus the treat he gave his players that turned them into little boys on Christmas Day.

Iain Dowie - From missiles to Millwall chants 05.11.2025 42min

From missiles to Millwall chants. Iain Dowie joins Craig and Amy for a hilarious and surprisingly emotional journey through his unique footballing life. From testing weapons to scoring goals (and one unforgettable own goal), Dowie’s career is anything but ordinary. Which manager made players throw up in training? What happened when he tried to reason with a Millwall fan? And how did he end up cleaning up takeaway leftovers in a Premier League flat? Plus, he faces the dreaded WHEEL OF TRUTH. Will he survive?

Adebayo Akinfenwa - Unapologetically Himself 29.10.2025 45min

Football’s BIGGEST cult hero. Literally. Adebayo Akinfenwa joins Craig and Amy for a laugh-out-loud chat about his career, his unforgettable managers, and the moments that made him a legend. Which manager stripped off during team talks? What was it like leaving home at 18 to play in Lithuania? And will he dare face the dreaded WHEEL OF TRUTH?WARNING: This episode contains strong language and some offensive language reflecting Adebayo’s real experiences of racism while playing in Lithuania.

Robbie Neilson - It was 20years ago today.... 21.10.2025 42min

Twenty years to the day since Vladimir Romanov sensationally sacked George Burley, despite Hearts sitting top of the league and unbeaten, Robbie Neilson joins us to reveal what life was really like under the chaotic Lithuanian regime.He also reflects on playing under Sven-Göran Eriksson, recalls Craig Levein’s blunt words of encouragement when he was “sacked in the morning”, and explains what it’s like working at the very bottom of the City Football Group pyramid.If you want to hear more about Vladimir Romanov’s rise from submariner to millionaire football owner to wanted man, search Romanov: Czar of Hearts wherever you get your podcasts.

Peter Schmeichel - How to Make Manchester United Great Again 14.10.2025 44min

How do you bring Manchester United back to their former glory?Legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel joins Craig Levein and Amy Irons for a fascinating chat about where Manchester United have lost their way and what he’d do to put it right. Peter also reflects on his pride in his son Kasper, reveals how Eric Cantona inspired his teammates from the moment he walked into training, and becomes the first guest to face THE WHEEL OF TRUTH!

Martin Tyler - "...and it's LIVE!" 02.09.2025 45min

From “Aguerooooo!” to “And it’s live!”, Martin Tyler joins Craig and Amy for a deep dive into the life behind the voice that defined the Premier League. In this episode, the legendary commentator opens up about his decades in the gantry, the moments that made history, and the lines that still get shouted at him in the street. We also hear about his time coaching in non-league football and his joy at being still part of the game.Get in touch with us via sackedinthemorning@bbc.co.uk and on WhatsApp 08000 12 11 71