The Sports Agents
Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, two of the UK's top sports broadcasters, host a twice-weekly podcast exploring the biggest stories from the world of sport. From the Premier League to the Olympics, rugby's future, boxing's identity crisis, the latest Formula 1 soap opera, the NFL and beyond, they cover it all. Drawing on their wealth of experience and insight, with exclusive interviews and expert analysis, they tackle the big questions and explain not just what's happening, but why. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. The Sports Agents is a Global Player Original Podcast.
Episodes
Xavi Simons: TRUTH about Barcelona, the original WONDERKID & Why Spurs feel different
Spurs & Netherlands star Xavi Simons sits down with Gabby for an exclusive, in depth interview.As he recovers from the ACL injury which robbed him of a place at the World Cup, Xavi opens up on the pressures of being a 12-year-old social media star watched by millions of followers, growing up without a father, and the truth behind his controversial exit from Barcelona at just 16 years old.Xavi
Argentina's SHAME, Trump's Circus... A fitting end to toxic World Cup?
Fresh from hosting the World Cup Final, Gabby joins Nedum & Mark live and direct from New York to discuss the fallout from what many described as a fitting end to a toxic tournament.After Argentina’s full-time antics overshadowed Spain’s big moment, the guys get into post match brawls, players turning their backs on the trophy and Mark goes in two footed on the first ever Half-Time show in Wor
Did Thomas Tuchel cost England a World Cup Final?
With Gabby & Mark being shuttled around the USA (first class), Nedum Onuoha takes the reins of today’s show alongside football writer Julien Laurens and it’s explosive!The boys pull no punches after England’s abject surrender against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final. Julien's explains why he thinks England have a "loser’s generation” and Nedum reveals why head coach Thomas Tuchel is to bl
Is Thomas Tuchel trying to rattle Bellingham?
Nedum & Gabby give their take on the fallout from Thomas Tuchel’s post-match criticism of his England team. Despite reaching the World Cup semi-final, Nedum is not on board the Thomas Tuchel train, while England’s quarter-final hero Jude Bellingham gets his flowers from Gabby who thinks the Real Madrid man is a “warrior”.Argentina are up next and the guys get their teeth into a footballing riv
The day Infantino & Trump BROKE the World Cup
Can Gianni Infantino survive his friendship with Donald Trump?The presidents of both FIFA and the USA have been busy this week ensuring that USA could field top scorer Folarin Balogun in their Quarter-final match against Belgium.Trump’s incredible intervention into football has rocked the sport and left FIFA’s credibility in tatters - particularly after England defender Jarell Quansah’s own red ca
England's 4 AM Mayhem, Trump's FIFA call & Why Norway's not JUST Haaland
Was the siege at the Azteca stadium England’s finest World Cup moment? Gabby & Nedum bask in the glory of an unforgettable night after some heroic defending and the brilliance of Jude Bellingham saw England defeat Mexico 3-2 and setup a quarter final clash against Erling Haaland’s Norway.After knocking out Brazil, Norway reached the quarter-finals of the world cup for the first time we’ll also
What makes Mexico 'INVINCIBLE' at the Azteca & Maresca's Man City
After Harry Kane got them out of jail against DR Congo, Nedum believes this is the start of a glorious run for England at the FIFA World Cup.It’s Mexico next at the iconic Azteca stadium, altitude, pollution, and an army of noisy fans await. Nedum & Gabby discuss performing at altitude, Mexican welcoming committees and what makes this the “hardest game that can be played at this tournament”Els
The real reason Ben Stokes retired & Is Carlos Queiroz right about "vulgar" 48-team World Cup?
Ben Stokes announced his retirement to the England team before the morning session of the final test v New Zealand... with the crowd chanting his name as news spread around Trent Bridge in the afternoon, he takes a wicket with the very next ball. Incredible theatre, pure Ben Stokes?After the seismic news for English cricket, how much blame lies with the ECB? Should we just pause to reflect on Stok
How Pochettino convinced USA they can win the World Cup
After Scotland’s humbling at the hands of Brazil, Mark has his say on FIFA’s “crap way to qualify for the knockout stages of a World Cup”...Former USMNT, Spurs & Aston Villa Goalkeeper Brad Friedel joins Gabby & Mark to talk about the sporting miracle which is inspiring Mauricio Pochettino and his USA team’s belief that they can go all the way at their home world cup.And with qualifiers se
Why Ronaldo is CHASING Messi one last time?
Lionel Messi became the all-time leading goal scorer at the men’s World Cup, while hours later, arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo announced he was "back” after scoring two goals against Uzbekistan...Could two of the greatest players of all time could be set for a world cup collision course in the final chapter of their epic rivalry.Mark & Nedum weigh in on a huge night for Ghana who stopped Thomas
Are Tuchel's England the 'Entertainers' now?
England are used to a winning start in tournaments... but are we used to it being this... FUN?The 3 Lions beat Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup opener and Thomas Tuchel's 'entertainers' have seemingly already captured the nation.A now famous half-time team talk is said to have inspired the players. Is Tuchel's emotional and tactical management style what England need to get over the line?And on the
FIFA's World Cup "Hydration Break" cash-grab & Bellingham vs Rogers for Croatia?
England's World Cup opener against Croatia is just a matter of hours away but it's all quiet in the England camp... calm before the storm or a very good sign for Thomas Tuchel?Bellingham v Rogers has dominated the pre-match line-up debates but why not both?Gabby, Mark & Nedum Onuoha also reflect on Scottish pride, an electric performance from hosts USA & how Team Australia are fighting bac
Visas, Tickets... Trump: Why this World Cup feels hard to love?
Nedum touches down in USA and joins Gabby & Mark to discuss the opening game of the World Cup 2026; How excited are the locals, dark horses for the tournament & more...But with such a constant stream of controversy in the days leading up to the first match - fans fleeced for tickets, a Somali referee banned from entering US, national teams greeted by ICE on arrival and FIFA President Giann
Should Eriksen play on, World Cup L-plates & a new Athletics rivalry?
After a second terrifying on-field collapse, should Christian Eriksen continue playing football and whose responsibility is it to make that decision now? Gabby & Mark are once again joined by Nedum Onuoha to discuss. Plus, did we learn anything new about Thomas Tuchel's England in their 1-0 World Cup warm-up win over New Zealand and which global superstars will be forced to wear a 'learner's b
Andoni Iraola & the Premier League's Basque Revolution
On Sunday the first contested Presidential elections at Real Madrid for 20 years will take place, so Gabby, Mark & Nedum are joined by Spanish football writer Guillem Balague to discuss some of the false promises being made on the campaign trail...Will any of Erling Haaland, Rodri, Jose Mourinho or Jurgen Klopp head to the Bernabeu this summer?And as Liverpool edge closer to appointing Andoni
Arsenal's Champions League heartbreak | Merson on penalties, parades and what next?
Gabby & Mark are alongside former Arsenal and England forward Paul Merson in the wake of Arsenal's Champions League heartbreak to talk penalties, summer transfer plans and the wild scenes of celebration from the Premier League trophy parade on Sunday.Merse turns his attention to Tuchel's World Cup plans, gives his opinions on the squad and England's chances of success in USA.Plus, reaction to
Who's to blame for West Ham's relegation? | Michail Antonio on Bowen's future & England's 'Egos'
Mark & Nedum are joined by West Ham's all-time Premier League goalscorer Michail Antonio, days after the club's relegation - ending a 14-year stay in the top flight.Michail lifts the lid on major decisions which he feels contributed to the club's decline in recent years; the controversial move to the London stadium, club training facilities, the appointment of Graham Potter as manager and how
What does a Post-Pep Guardiola Premier League look like?
Gabby & Mark are joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton as the curtain comes down on another gripping Premier League season. More tears "than a wedding cake" on Sunday but as Pep Guardiola officially abdicates his throne - following a decade of domination for Man City - who is ready to claim it?Plus, Arsenal's trophy lift as seen around the world, if Andoni Iraola was the ideal candidate to rep
End of an era? Millie Bright on Chelsea retirement, Bunny Shaw links & Growing the game
A special episode recorded live from the Barclays Clubhouse inside Stamford Bridge, as Gabby Logan is joined by Chelsea icon Millie Bright on the final day of WSL season... as Millie calls time on her illustrious playing career.Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward also joins the pair to reflect on 25 years of support for the women's game - progress, memories and transfer rumours too!AD @Barclays
Spygate 2.0: Should Play-Off Final be CANCELLED?
Southampton's failed attempt to appeal their expulsion from the final for spying means that it will be Middlesbrough heading to Wembley to take on Hull in football’s richest game.Espionage that could ‘cost’ upwards of £200 million… normally a story for Ian Fleming but in an end of the season that keeps on giving, this is the tale of the Championship play offs.But what is the legality surrounding t
How Arteta ended Arsenal's 22-year 'Banter Era’ to have the last laugh
Back in 2004, no Arsenal fan would have believed that after going an entire Premier League season unbeaten, they’d have to wait 22 YEARS to be crowned Champions again… then on Tuesday night, all the waiting and wishing and fear and lost hope finally came to an end - and North London was brought to a standstill. Fireworks, fans and Arsenal players still celebrating outside the Emirates at 5am.Mikel
Chelsea's Alonso 'coup', Mourinho's bad karma & how to settle Spygate 2.0?
Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha joins Gabby & Mark on the show following one of the most chaotic weekends of the year so far...How big a coup is Chelsea's capture of Xabi Alonso and why was he confirmed as a manager not head coach? Is Jose Mourinho still the man to reunite Real Madrid's fractured dressing room and will Vini Jr forgive him for his comments in the wake of the 'Presti
Spygate 2.0 vs Bloodgate & The 'small ball' debate
Gabby is joined by rugby legends Ugo Monye and Katy Daley-McLean ahead of Red Roses' Grand Slam decider this weekend - 37 games unbeaten, on the cusp of their 8th Six Nations in a row - does the sport actually need England to lose?The trio also react to a fascinating developing football story - dubbed 'Spygate 2.0' - with Southampton's Championship Play-Off final place in doubt after an analyst wa
How did Leicester go from 'fairytale' to cautionary tale in a decade?
On the 10th anniversary of becoming 5000/1 Premier League winners, Leicester City will start next season in England's third division after relegation to League One.From Madrid to Mansfield... is this really how their 'fairytale' ends?2016 league winner Danny Simpson and the Athletics Rob Tanner both join to reflect on one of sports greatest stories and decipher how the club fell so far.And we've a
How to beat the 'Big 6' | Inside Premier League's 'best-run' club with Brighton CEO Paul Barber
Brighton are known as one of football's best run clubs with a seemingly constant yearly profit margin above £100 million... and today they have officially announced that their 33 year old manager Fabian Hürzeler has signed a new contract.A club on the verge of a second season playing European football and that has recently announced they are the first club the world to have a purpose built women's
Are the Saudi's bored of owning Newcastle?
Saudi Arabia's PIF spent around £6 billion reshaping world sport in the last four years — buying golf tours, funding billion-dollar boxing purses, and turning an obscure football league into a global talking point.Now the money is running out. LIV Golf loses its funding after 2026. Saudi football clubs are being sold off. Oil prices are falling, cash reserves are at a decade low, and sport has bee
Would Kompany want to replace Guardiola at Man City?
PSG and Bayern Munich put on one the greatest displays of football in the history of the game on Tuesday night and Vincent Kompany has coached his side of start to break records this season.But does a man who shared the pitch with him 231 times and lifted 5 trophies alongside him, even recognise his old teammate? Joe Hart joins to tell us if he could see Vincent succeeding Pep Guardiola at the Eti
How Sebastian Sawe broke two-hour Marathon record... and will it stand?
A sub-two hour marathon! Gabby & Mark are joined by the beloved former 1500m World Champion Steve Cram, to explain how Sebastian Sawe smashed the 'unbreakable' marathon barrier in London on Sunday.How did Adidas win the war for the sub-2 'supershoe' and the lengths they've gone to, to prove he's not doping. If it stands, does the record eclipse Sir Roger Bannister's 4-minute mile, Usain Bolt's
Seb Coe | Door open for Russia's return, 'Enhanced Games' threat & Man Utd's new stadium
After Liam Rosenior was sacked just 106 days into his 6-year-deal, life-long Chelsea fan & President of World Athletics, Lord Seb Coe joins Gabby and Mark to talk about Russia's return to the Olympics, his views on The 'Enhanced Games' and why the world is running out of host cities for major tournaments?Will British athletics be able to capitalise on their new 'golden generation' and when wil
Will Arsenal handle the pressure this time? | Clarence Seedorf
Football royalty on today’s show as Gabby & Mark are joined by 4x Champions League-winner Clarence Seedorf, to talk about the pressure of a title run in as Arsenal's season hangs in the balance after defeat against Manchester City on the weekend.Clarence reflects on breaking major trophy droughts with his famous Ajax and Real Madrid teams and discusses the differences in how Mikel Arteta's Gun
Have PSG exposed the Premier League?
After Liverpool became the SIXTH English club to fall victim to Luis Enrique's all-conquering PSG in the Champions League - does their unique blend of intensity & swagger feel more and more like an indictment of Premier League pragmatism.So how do they keep peaking at just the right time in the season, why wasn't there more of a battle to sign the likes of Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and which PSG st
Do you still CARE about Joshua vs Fury?
After a massive weekend of sport, Gabby & Mark sit down to reflect on Rory McIlroy going back-to-back at The Masters, Arsenal's annual April meltdown and after Neftlix announced Anthony Joshua will finally fight Tyson Fury - how close the two fighters are to actually agreeing to it?📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey
Why Golf NEEDS Rory McIlroy to go back-to-back? | The Masters
Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta looking to be the 4th man in history to retain the green jacket. His Masters dinner was reportedly the 'most expensive' ever but it was without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson... will he be able to join them both as back-to-back winners instead?Bryson De Chambeau is making his own clubs, Scottie Scheffler has arrived with a newborn son and Justin Rose is hoping to wi
What's the true cost of Premier League relegation?
Gabby Logan is joined by football finance expert Kieran Maguire (Price of Football podcast) to discuss the true cost of relegation from the Premier League... particularly for those clubs that may not have seen it coming?And later, Nick Montgomery - Recently a key part of Ange Postecoglou's backroom team at both Spurs and Nottingham Forest before becoming head coach of Beijing Goan FC - provides an
Aden Durde | How a Londoner cracked the NFL
Aden Durde became the first British-born coach to win a Super Bowl when the Seattle Seahawks masterminded a dominant display in California in February.His story is almost unheard of in sport - from coaching grassroots level here in UK - to the very top of the NFL.But what has made him so successful? How did a chance advert in a North London shop spark his career? And as the Premier League's manage
How Italy's World Cup 'curse' sparked political crisis
It’s official, this summer's World Cup will be the third consecutive tournament without Italy… Gabby & Mark are joined by Italian football writer James Horncastle to explore the 'curse', the political fallout in Rome and the questions over youth talent and foreign players that will feel oddly familiar to England fans who lived through 2010 in South Africa.Plus, the guys ask how seriously we're
Will Spurs regret betting on De Zerbi?
After just 44 days in charge, Spurs parted company with Igor Tudor - making him the third manager sacked since last June… with the club just one point above the relegation zone, Roberto De Zerbi has been tasked with saving their season.But is he the right man to stave off the Championship? It’s only been a couple months since his own sensational exit at Marseille, but what actually happened?And af
Are football's new 'Ultras' a force for good?
The fan phenomenon of ‘Ultras’ has taken Scotland by storm… TIFO’s, flares and drums - like we’re used to seeing in Europe - popping up everywhere from the Old Firm right down to the 4th division.So can this sub-culture be a force for good in an online sphere dominated by the ‘manosphere’ or is it actually just another mask for something more sinister?Gabby & Mark are joined by Andy Hughes, ho
Josh Kerr v Michael Johnson: I'm owed six-figures but hold no grudge
Mo Salah reveals he’ll be leaving Liverpool at the end of this season, Erling Haaland buys one of the last remaining Viking texts in existence & Ben White is back in the England squad for the first time since 2022.And following a Gold rush for Team GB at a sensational World Indoor Championships, 3000m winner Josh Kerr joins us in studio to talk about regaining his title a year after injury, th
Ellie Kildunne | "I've won the World Cup, what now?"
Gabby goes down to the England Rugby training ground ahead of the Women's Six Nations to meet former World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne and her fellow World Cup winner Jess Breach. The duo scored 11 tries between them at the World Cup before England lifted the trophy at Twickenham in front of the second biggest crowd ever for a World Cup final, men's or women. Ellie was named runner-up at SPO
How Morocco snatched Senegal's AFCON crown
It has been like the longest VAR ruling in history… the match finished two months ago, the Africa Cup of Nations trophy was presented, the considerable celebrations and recriminations were complete.And then, just as some last-16 Champions League fixtures were finishing on Tuesday night, a communication dropped from CAF.Senegal had actually forfeited the match by staging their now infamous walk-off
Why were so many English clubs humbled in Champions League?
Weeks ago we were talking about English dominance in Europe, now just Liverpool and Arsenal make it to the quarter finals of the Champions League.Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs were dumped out, conceding 28 goals between them in the round of 16… so what happened? Liam Rosenior said his players were tired… but was that ‘dominance’ even there in the first place? Or is the scheduling o
Max 'Dow-Mania' | How to protect a prodigy?
What were you doing when you were 16 years and 73 days old?... Max Dowman was last seen gliding across the length of a Premier League pitch, scoring a goal that rewrote history… and maybe even tilted a title race.Max ‘Dowmania’ may be upon us but as the predictable calls start for Dowman to be thrust into England’s World Cup plans for this summer - has football got any better at protecting its pro
Crowdfunding your way to a World Cup final
Playing in front of a record 80,000 fans at Twickenham, captaining your country in a World Cup final and winning World Rugby’s Player of the Year… all in a day's work for Sophie De Goede.All that despite returning from a huge ACL injury just one month before the World Cup, Canada crowdfunding to get there, and training against teammates' partners to make up the numbers. Sophie joins Gabby and Mark
Will 17 MINUTES define Kinsky & Tudor at Spurs?
17 minutes was all it took for Igor Tudor to sub off Antonín Kinský on his Champions League debut after two mistakes and three goals conceded. Subbing a keeper is unheard of… so was Tudor right to make the change? Or with Spurs fans serenading Mauricio Pochettino on a plane - is it off with Tudor's head?Then on Wednesday night, goalies also made the limelight... Filip Jörgensen’s mistake started
Wales rugby... What crisis?
There’s been a lot of soul searching in England after the Six Nations disaster continued with their first ever loss to Italy. But for the team sitting one below them in the table, the problems run even deeper.Wales were ranked top in the world in 2019, but now they have only won 2 of their last 26 matches. It’s so bad financially that one of four professional clubs will be cut.So how did it get to
18 months to live to Winter Paralympic history
When the Winter Paralympics get underway this weekend in Italy history will be made. Davy Zyw was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 30 and given 18 months to live… but he’s now 38 and he’s going to be the first person to compete at a Winter Paralympics with MND.Defying his degenerating body, Davy will compete on the board for ParalympicsGB, with his five-year-old son watching on.
Did England push Six Nations panic button?
It’s crunch time for England in the Six Nations this weekend. If they go from Grand Slam hopes to losing to Italy… it doesn’t bear thinking about.Steve Borthwick has gone bold with 9 changes - very uncharacteristic for the man who worships consistency.So is this Borthwick officially pushing the panic button? And could a mid-week visit from Thomas Tuchel help push them over the line? Gabby is joine
Will US-Iran conflict derail Trump's World Cup?
War in the Middle East has cast a new shadow over the World Cup this summer. This is a human tragedy first and foremost but questions are being asked about the impact on the world’s most watched sporting event.Could we see Iran pull out of the tournament? And is Gianni Infantino regretting his bromance with President Trump?Plus, Gabby and Mark chat about Leeds manager Daniel Farke's red card and w
Are World Cup fans in danger after Mexico cartel violence?
The recent killing of Mexican drug lord ‘El Mencho’ has caused unrest and cartel violence across the country. Guadalajara - one of Mexico’s host cities in this summer’s World Cup - was one of the worst affected. So what state are we left in, just months away from the tournament? Should fans be worried about the threat of cartel violence? And with ICE and President Trump ever present in the U.S. -
Drive To Survive transformed F1 - how did they do it?
If we had a penny for every time we’ve spoken about Drive To Survive on this show, we would be rich. Formula One's Netflix series is the golden example of how to grow a sport by making it cool again.F1’s global fan base has reportedly grown by hundreds of millions since Drive To Survive launched in 2019, and three in four new fans are female. So as Season 8 airs, has any other sports audience ever
Do England need a makeover after Six Nations collapse?
Just two weeks ago it was a completely different story for England at the Six Nations. From undefeated in 12 games and to two losses on the bounce.Spare a thought for the England fans who bought tickets to the final weekend in Paris, thinking it would be a Grand Slam decider…But are we all overreacting? Do England need to change to avoid the unthinkable against Italy? And what does this mean in th
Is Russia's ban from world sport over?
Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to represent their countries at the upcoming Winter Paralympics. For the first time since 2014, since Russia’s state-sponsored doping programme and the war with Ukraine, we will see the Russian flag and potentially hear the anthem.Ukrainian officials are boycotting, but FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has also recently said he wants to lift footbal
From Vinicius Jr to grassroots: how can football stop abuse?
In the Champions League this week Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior stopped the match after alleged racial abuse by Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni denies it ever happened.Today Gabby and Mark discuss the fall out from the incident. And later they're joined by former England striker Emile Heskey who’s launching the Football Safety App to help fight abuse in football and make it easier to report. All t
Is the Winter Olympics better than the Summer Olympics?
It was 3 golds for Team GB at the Winter Olympics over the weekend! That’s a new record… And the man who won two of them, Matt Weston, joins Gabby and Mark today.This is coming from a country that doesn’t even have a skeleton track to train on!How are Team GB punching above their weight? And are the Winter Olympics giving the Summer Olympics a run for their money?We discuss all that and a full wee
Auld Enemy & Grand Slam Stakes: can Scotland stop England?
What a week we’ve had here on The Sports Agents, from penis-gate, to Winter Olympics heartbreak and Premier League managers getting sacked.This weekend sees Scotland host the Auld enemy at Murrayfield as they take on England for the Calcutta Cup.Love might not be in the air north of the border, but there were remnants in the studio - as Gabby welcomed her husband and former Scottish winger Kenny L
Frank out, Dyche gone, Tuchel commits - Are football's power brokers panicking?
It’s been a busy 48 hours since our last show… Spurs decided to sack head coach Thomas Frank after just 8 months in charge. How right Frank was when he told us on this show: “If I ever got the offer from a bigger club and I decided to go there, it would probably not make my life better”.And at about midnight on Wednesday night news broke that Nottingham Forest had sacked their third manager this s
'Penis-gate' & Should Lindsey Vonn have dared to ski?
So far the Winter Olympics have been incredible, awe-inspiring and down-right bizarre. From reports of penis injections in order to ‘fly further’, to the heartbreak of 41-year-old skiing icon Lindsey Vonn, who crashed out at 60 mph after just 13 seconds.Gabby and Mark are joined by former Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott and CNN sports anchor Amanda Davies, who are out in Italy. All that plus Mark and
So you think you're a Winter Olympics expert?
The Winter Olympics are here! What sport are we all going to pretend to be an expert at? Curling maybe? Today Gabby and Mark are joined by one of Great Britain’s biggest medal hopes, freestyle skier Kirsty Muir.She started skiing at 3 years old on the dry slopes of Scotland - imagine the carpet burn doing flips on that surface! Her nan can’t even watch when she does the huge tricks. This year she’
Does a Brit hold the key to the Super Bowl?
It's Super Bowl time! Mark and Gabby are joined by Super Bowl winner Jason Bell to talk about one of sports biggest shows.Will an English coach (Aden Durde) win the Super Bowl for the first time? Have world-famous New England Patriots finally filled the giant Tom Brady-shaped hole in the franchise? And what are the best half-time shows ever? (Mark's a big Bad Bunny fan of course!)Plus, Gabby and M
Can 'charming' Carlos Alcaraz be bigger than 'The Big 3'?
At 22 years old, Carlos Alcaraz has done what some of the best players in history chase their entire careers - winning the Australian Open to become the youngest man ever to win all four Grand Slams - with Novak Djokovic across the net and Rafa Nadal in the stands.Where Rafa annoyed his rivals and Novak sometimes felt like public enemy no. 1, is there any limit to what a seemingly universally love
Content is king but at what cost to player privacy?
You’ve likely seen the viral video of Coco Gauff smashing her racket in a corridor at the Australian Open. She tried to go somewhere without cameras and failed. Now she's complaining the only private place is the locker room, Novak Djokovic says it's like "big brother", Iga Swiatek thinks they're "animals in a zoo". Content is king but at what cost to player privacy? Isn’t this the kind of access
Why have English teams found the Champions League so easy?
Five English teams finished in the Champions League top 8 to reach the last 16 without a playoff. If Newcastle join them it will be the first time ever that six Premier League teams have made the knockouts.But how are these sides dominating Europe when all we keep being told is that the Premier League quality hasn’t been all that this season? Is it about time with all the Premier League money? Do
'Michael Carrick's at the wheel!' ... Haven't Man United been here before?
Michael Carrick couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to life as Man United’s interim boss after successive wins against the Premier League’s top two - in Arsenal & Manchester City.A few more performances like Sunday’s at the Emirates and the clamour for him to stay on will be deafening - in some quarters it’s already started! ... But United have been here before.The Athletic's Man United wr
Brand Beckham & Osaka's Jellyfish - has sport ever been so fashionable?
Everyone’s been talking about the Beckhams and Naomi Osaka this week. Hard to believe a family feud and a jellyfish outfit at the Australian Open have anything in common - but where Sir Alex Ferguson used to fight to keep David Beckham's focus on the pitch, sport is now embracing fashion like never before...Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams pictured at the Met Gala, Stella McCartney designing Ars
Do we still need that first female Premier League manager?
Women like Sarina Wiegman and Emma Hayes continue to show the world what female coaches can do. But for anyone trying to follow in their footsteps, sport can still feel very much a man’s world. According to new report this week, female coaches are twice as likely to be bullied and many are still unpaid.So what needs to change so more female coaches can thrive like Hayes and Wiegman? Is having a fe
Should Crystal Palace have to accept their place in football's food chain?
Just eight months ago Crystal Palace and their manager Oliver Glasner were lifting the FA Cup. Fast forward to now - no wins in 10 games, captain Marc Guehi sold to City, knocked out of the FA Cup by 6th tier Macclesfield. And then Glasner, who’d already admitted he’s leaving at the end of the season, tells the media he feels "abandoned completely" by the club.As we record this he’s not been sacke
AFCON Final & the growing influence of the diaspora
Hosts Morocco face Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday. At this AFCON almost 40% of players were born outside Africa, like the face of the tournament Ashraf Hakimi.So where should teams be putting their money - improving recruitment from the diaspora or investing more at home? What needs to change to attract these players? And can Sadio Mane and Senegal stop the powerhouse
Are Bryson DeChambeau and his 3m YouTube followers keeping LIV Golf alive?
At the start of this week the PGA tour made a big move. Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka was given special permission to return from the breakaway LIV tour. This limited-time offer was extended to only three other players - Jon Rahm, Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau - who are staying put... for now.So has this backfired on the PGA Tour or has the first domino fallen and LIV are in trouble? Wh
Inside Macclesfield's FA Cup upset: Rooney, Love Island & buying a club on Rightmove
It was the greatest FA Cup upset of all time. Last year's champions Crystal Palace knocked out by Macclesfield - 5 divisions and 117 places below them.First to storm the pitch after the final whistle was owner Robert Smethurst who joins us today. He bought the club on Rightmove… while drunk on holiday.The story of the phoenix club that has soared from liquidation into the FA Cup fourth round is am
Pep’s heir to Fergie’s shadow: Why clubs can't move on
What does a strong succession plan look like? Before Darren Fletcher took over as Man United's interim manager he felt he needed Sir Alex Ferguson's blessing. But when everyone's still harping back to Ferguson, who left the club over 12 years ago, you know the succession plan has gone wrong.Man City will be taking note, as their own legendary manager Pep Guardiola isn’t staying forever. While Chel
Ashes aftermath: McCullum's Bazballs-up & Bethell breakthrough
Former England cricketer Steve Harmison & The Guardian's Chief Sports Writer Barney Ronay in Sydney, join Chappers to reflect on arguably the most underwhelming Ashes series in memory - a 4-1 loss where Australia needed only 11 days to retain The Ashes. Do centuries from Joe Root and 22-year-old Jacob Bethell, as well as England’s first Test win in Australia since 2011, paper over the cracks?
Amorim sacked, Rosenior hired: Are sporting directors bigger than the manager?
We're only 6 days into 2026 and already Ruben Amorim, Enzo Maresca and Wilfried Nancy have lost their jobs. Chelsea have even appointed a new manager in Liam Rosenior.First lesson of the year, you take on the club hierarchy when your results aren’t up to scratch - you lose. So, should Premier League clubs be looking for a "head coach" or a "manager"? How involved should managers be in human issues
New Year's Q&A: Arsenal trophy, Hamilton retiring & YOUR 2026 predictions
Gabby and Mark welcome in the New Year by answering your questions.What sport should we nominate Mark for at the Winter Olympics? Will Lewis Hamilton retire? Can Scotland get past the group stage at the World Cup? And will Mikel Arteta finally win a trophy with Arsenal?📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.g
Unwrapping 2025: Southgate, surprises & Xmas bloopers
Gabby and Mark bring you the best moments from another sport-packed year on The Sports Agents, as chosen by you, us... and Jon Sopel.From chats with former England manager Gareth Southgate and rugby's breakout star Henry Pollock, to going behind the scenes at Wimbledon, and some hilarious Christmas outtakes.Have a lovely Christmas and we'll be back on New Years Day!📩 Got a question? Send it here:
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: Who's in the most danger?
Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, is taking on YouTuber-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul. Like it or not they’re two of the biggest names in boxing - and we’ll get into why that’s problematic...So why is the star of the London 2012 Olympics, who beat Wladimir Klitschko, fighting an influencer? Do fight fans believe it's not been scripted and what's actually more at risk - Paul
Has anyone had a better year than Rory McIlory?
How did 2025 go for your team? If you’re an England cricket fan or a Wolves diehard, we're sorry. But lots of British teams and individuals did win big trophies (not to rub it in!) from the Lionesses, to the Red Roses, Lando Norris' F1 triumph and Team Europe at the Ryder Cup.Ahead of hosting Sports Personality of the Year, Clare Balding joins Gabby to look back at another extraordinary sporting y
Do England have enough "dog" to rescue The Ashes?
It’s crunch time Down Under. England have to win this third Test to keep the Ashes series alive. Ben Stokes says his side need to “show a bit of dog” - a bit more fight - for a match that could define his captaincy. Can England still turn it around and how will the last four years of ‘Bazball’ be judged if they can’t?Former England fast bowler Darren Gough, who played in four Ashes series, joins G
Pippa York: "I want the world to leave trans people alone"
Pippa York, then known as Robert Millar, was crowned the Tour de France King of the Mountains, winning three stages in the 1980s. But ever since she was five she wanted to be a girl. Years after quitting cycling, aged 41, she started a 10-year transition process to become Pippa York, who joins Gabby and Mark. What was it like racing the Tour de France with gender dysmorphia? And what does she
Mike Tindall: R360 will create household names like Joe Marler & Ilona Maher
On Celebrity Traitors, Joe Marler showed the world how entertaining rugby players can be. Despite the best efforts of Marler, Henry Pollock and the Red Roses, rugby is still wrestling with tradition and how to reinvent itself as something more ‘entertaining’. Today we’re joined by ex-England captain Mike Tindall, who’s setting up the controversial ‘R360’ league to try and revolutionise the ga
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