A podcast about football, the least important of the most important things, featuring John Brewin, Miguel Delaney, James Horncastle, Tariq Panja, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Rory Smith and Jonathan Wilson.
With Manchester City having been found guilty of systematically cheating their way to Premier League domination, what are the broader implications for competition itself? How robust will one of England's major cultural exports be in the face of its biggest ever scandal? But also has its previously successful formula of light-touch regulation and openness to foreign investment been the Premier League's undoing in the City case? Jack Pitt-Brooke is joined by James Horncastle and Miguel Delaney. P1: (11:20) P2: (27:25) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs,…
Trying to place the scale of the Manchester City cheating scandal into context is not straightforward given there is almost no comparable event in the history of English football. However other historic scandals do exist, Calciopoli in Italy is one, but there are more closer to home too. Jack Pitt-Brooke, Jonathan Wilson and James Horncastle discuss where the City case lands among all of that, as well as what it means for the club's fans and the integrity of the Premier League. P1: (04:22) P2: (27:33) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now:…
Manchester City’s epic run of glory lies in ruins after a long awaited verdict reveals the success was built on a mountain of sham contracts and more than £850m in side income from its Abu Dhabi royal overlords. Rory, Jonathan and Tariq try to dissect a ruling for the ages. P1: (00:55) P2: (26:16) -- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook…
The arrival of the news that Manchester City had been found guilty of the majority of the more than 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League upended a sleepy international break weekend. It is the biggest story in football in recent memory and has huge implications for English football and beyond. Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja have been tracking this story for years, John Brewin asks them to try and put the news into context. P1: (00:37) P2: (35:59) -- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord…
Spain are World and European champions (again), but is there more to the country's success than their clearly defined set of football principles? Why has this set of players succeeded where the post-2012 generation fell short? James Horncastle is joined by a very Spanish Miguel Delaney and Rory Smith to discuss. P1: (05:45) P2: (34:15) -- It's the final day of Wilson Month! This is your last chance to sign up for SC Libero and get the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. The…
Jurgen Klopp and Zinedine Zidane will be among some very familiar faces in the dugout during the upcoming Nations League fixtures as they become the latest high-profile coaches to make the move into international football. They join a number of high-profile peers, including as Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti, in trying their hand coaching a national team, but what is behind this raft of big-name arrivals on the international stage? John Brewin, James Horncastle and Miguel Delaney go through the new faces. P1: (00:26) P2: (37:41) -- It's STILL Wilson Month! Anyone signing up for SC Libero…
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are the most high-profile, but they are from the only English players currently plying their trade on the continent - there are three at Inter Milan alone. This trend is certainly a break from tradition over the past 20 years, where outside of a few high-profile exceptions Englishman kept it strictly Premier League and there was a feeling the foreign clubs weren't particularly fussed about going after them. Why is this changing now? Tracking this phenomenon are Rory Smith, James Horncastle and Jack Pitt-Brooke. P1: (00:35) P2: (33:28) -- It's STILL Wilson…
Sky Sports has changed football more than once since the outset of the Premier League and the latest development has elevated star pundits such as Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher to figures that dictate the discourse well beyond the broadcast. Driven by social media, technology and changing consumption habits, this is increasingly taking the form of partisan analysis. Rory Smith, Jack Pitt-Brooke, and Tariq Panja track the key moments in the modern evolution of football broadcasting and what impact it's having on the whole ecosystem. P1: (01:26) P2: (31:03) --- It's STILL Wilson Month!…
Manchester United were an outlier in a summer of lavish spending. In a sea of nine-figure signings, the new arrivals at Old Trafford were brought in on more modest fees as a number of targets moved to rivals. Gone are the days when United were top of the food chain, Premier League titles are now firmly in the rearview mirror and Manchester City are the dominant local force. So with another reboot ongoing under Michael Carrick, who are are Manchester United in 2026? Jack Pitt-Brooke is joined by John Brewin and Rory Smith. P1: (00:31) P2: (33:04) -- It's STILL Wilson Month! Anyone signing up…
The Champions League begins this week with some enticing fixtures and a pool of potential winners that may be as small as six teams. PSG have plenty going in their favour but much of what benefits the defending champions in terms of a lighter domestic workload also holds true for a resurgent Barcelona. And what of the English clubs? Is this the start of a long-previewed era of Premier League dominance in Europe's top competition? Rory Smith is joined by Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja as we hit play on the Champions League anthem again. P1: (01:09) P2: (30:47) -- It's STILL Wilson Month!…
The Premier League's clubs have spent just over £3.4bn this summer. Several clubs have paid fees exceeding £100m, Manchester City have done it twice. It feels like less a player trading system than an over-financed arms race, but is the league in a financial bubble? In this episode, Rory Smith, Miguel Delaney, and Jonathan Wilson analyse the complexities of the modern football transfer market, the impact of financial regulations, and the broader economic forces shaping the Premier League, as well as explore whether the game is immune from the economic headwinds on the horizon. P1: (02:13)…
The Premier League's summer transfer window has had too much going on. The volume of intra-league deals is unprecedented, the fees are excessive and it seems as if no one is asking 'does it make sense?' To try and unpick it are Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Tariq Panja. P1: (00:54) P2: (31:28) It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous…
Liverpool under FSG have been at various points held up as the model for a modern football operation. They were good sellers and squad builders. The owners generally believed that the best way to run a Premier League club successfully was to achieve success where people can see it, on the field. Now, with a cohort of powerful individuals that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos buying a significant shareholding, the motivations of the ownership could be about to change at a time when the team needs to rediscover its sense of direction under a new coach. What does the arrival of new money at…
The 2026/27 Premier League season is underway. So is it too early to hand Arsenal the trophy? Miguel Delaney was at the Emirates on Friday night, while Jack Pitt-Brooke and Jonathan Wilson had to watch on TV. They discuss what we learned from the opening weekend, and how much of an advantage it is to go into this season with an established manager. The three big losers this weekend were Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Aston Villa, but how much should those fans be worried? But maybe finding answers to those questions is just asking one round of league games to bear too much weight.…
With the Premier League in the midst of a period of upheaval, Arsenal, the reigning champions, stand alone as the sole pillar of stability amongst the traditional challengers. Neither of the league's other recent title winners - Liverpool and Manchester City - appear as strong as they have been in the past couple of seasons, while Enzo Maresca has the additional unenviable task of trying to replace Pep Guardiola. Rory Smith asks Miguel Delaney and James Horncastle for their thoughts on the Premier League title race. P1: (10:36) P2: (38:11) Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try…
The 2026/27 Premier League season is finally upon us. Even after a transfer window where all the big money has been spent domestially, there are hopes for some exciting new arrivals into 'our league', and maybe for a game which is more determined by individuals, rather than set pieces. On today’s episode, Jonathan Wilson and James Horncastle discuss what we actually want to see this year, while Jack Pitt-Brooke gets sidetracked obsessing over QPR’s transfer business from the early Tony Fernandes era. P1: (06:03) P2: (28:30) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership…
Gianni Infantino, the embattled 'Pope of Football', is limping on as Fifa president and has split the world's federations into two factions, one that wants to see him removed from office and the other who wish for him to remain. Why, despite his obvious flaws and major errors, does Infantino retain such levels of support? Jonathan Wilson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja to unpick the motivations behind those who want Infantino gone and the reasons he may be able to cling on. P1: (03:12) P2: (35:32) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now:…
A new era of Premier League football will begin this month. With Pep Guardiola out of the picture, and Jurgen Klopp long gone, none of the ‘big beasts’ of management will be in jobs. Instead, the 'big six' will largely be coached by managers in their mid 40s, all with something to prove. On today’s episode John Brewin, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Jonathan Wilson ask how this will affect the dynamic of the new season. Will we talk about managers less than we used to? Or will we hope that the generation of Enzo Maresca, Andoni Iraola and co step up into that space? Perhaps this all just proves how…
Arsenal’s pursuit of Vinicius Junior is over after Real Madrid announced on Thursday afternoon that the Brazil international had signed a new long-term contract. But on today’s episode - recorded just before the news was confirmed - Jack Pitt-Brooke, James Horncastle and John Brewin discussed why Arsenal’s attempted move for him felt so significant. For all the Premier League’s wealth and success, it generally does not buy in the most famous players in the world. Apart from the arrival of Erling Haaland in 2022, there have been few other high-status imports in recent years. So does that…
With a $15bn World Cup bolstering Fifa's bank account, Gianni Infantino was riding high and set fair to continue as football's self-appointed pope, with another term as president all but guaranteed. Little more than two weeks later, following an abruptly abandoned plan to sell a stake in the golden goose to the brother of Donald Trump's son in-law and Infantino is facing the prospect of having to resign the Fifa presidency. How did we get here and what does it say about modern football? Will this finally be the moment the game changes? Jonathan Wilson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Tariq…
Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham are all beginning the new Premier League season with different managers than started the last. With a cast of new characters now coming into focus, Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson consider what storylines might take shape and the longtail impact of the World Cup. Also discussed is how the creep of football is eroding away the traditional summers sports and the return of international football to borderline irrelevance. P1: (00:56) P2: (25:51) A note to listeners, it's fair to assume that Libero 145 will be…
Johan Manzambi has become the latest player to earn a big transfer off the back of an impressive World Cup, following the likes of James Rodriguez, Ilie Dumitrescu and Papa Bouba Diop. Yet in recent years clubs have turned away from scouting players at major tournaments, but why is that when they provide tangible evidence of a player's quality and ability to handle playing under immense pressure? James Horncastle, Tariq Panja and Rory Smith look back at the history of this phenomenon and ask if once more the World Cup is becoming a viable proving ground. P1: (02:43) P2: (32:53) Join SC…
The sad passing of Kevin Keegan at the age of 75 last week brought to an end of the ultimate football lives. One of British football's earliest superstars, highly decorated as a player, revered as one of the game's boldest attacking coaches, Keegan was beloved figure both in England and further afield. Here John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson look back at the life of 'King Kev'. This was originally released for SC Libero members last week, but we thought it would be nice for all Libero listeners to hear John and Jonathan's tribute to the great man. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via…
The World Cup is in the rearview mirror but before it disappears from our collective consciousness, amid well-earned holidays or a headlong dash back into the gnarled embrace of club football, we take a look back at the tournament in its entirety. Jack Pitt-Brooke is joined by Jonathan Wilson and Rory Smith for this one. P1: (04:28) P2: (33:04) --- For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a…
Spain have beaten Argentina in the World Cup final in a slightly underwhelming conclusion to an overwhelming tournament. This episode was recorded throughout the day of the final by our Liberi on the ground, Rory Smith, James Horncastle and Tariq Panja. It is a bit rough and rugged but it is how we saw it. Build-up: (01:38) Pre-match: (03:23) 90mins: (14:35) Post-match: (16:39) - For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four…
England's latest World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina was both familiar but also a new type of failure. The familiar retreat was exacerbated by Thomas Tuchel doubling down on the tactics that had worked in Mexico City and it all means that Spain will play la Albiceleste in Sunday's final. James Horncastle, Jonathan Wilson and Miguel Delaney review both semi-finals before turning their attention to Spain v Argentina at MetLife. P1: (05:43) P2: (33:48) - For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs,…
France v Spain and England v Argentina are the World Cup semi-finals FIFA wanted but they could not be more contrasting in terms of what they offer the viewing public. One side promises technical prowess and a game for the chin strokers, on the other a mess of emotions and brilliant moments. You work out which way around those are being billed. Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Rory Smith have this one. P1: (00:12) P2: (27:44) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time…
We 're down to the final stages of the World Cup. So who is going to win it? Jack Pitt-Brooke, Jonathan Wilson and Miguel Delaney are on today’s episode, and start with discussion of Argentina who have won their last two games 3-2 in remarkable circumstances. Then focus turns to England, as Jack and Miguel discuss their historic win at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday night. Spain have gone under the radar so far, but could their controlled style get them through just as it did in South Africa in 2010? And finally the big story of the last-16 round was Belgium defeating the US after Folarin…
It's been a busy start to the World Cup round of 16. England triumphed on a night of great drama in Mexico City and Norway dumped out a hapless Brazil. Are these results, especially the latter, symptomatic of modern international football? Are the game's traditional powers being caught by nations with better organised youth development? Jack Pitt-Brooke and Miguel Delaney check in from the Azteca, with John Brewin, Jonathan Wilson and Rory Smith in situ for the main talking points. P1: (01:25) P2: (31:37) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most…
As traditional World Cup giants like Germany and the Netherlands fall, their flaws are exposed but how deep do they run? Are these football cultures that have been overtaken the changes in the modern international game? Why then are France excelling? John Brewin, Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson discuss the reasons behind these shifts, as well as where new ideas in international football are coming from. They also berate some refereeing decisions, for good measure. P1: (02:03) P2: (28:34) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the…
About Libero
A podcast about football, the least important of the most important things, featuring John Brewin, Miguel Delaney, James Horncastle, Tariq Panja, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Rory Smith and Jonathan Wilson.
Libero is a English sport podcast from Libero. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
