by Olan Tekkers & iHeart Australia · English · Sport
He may have failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some icons of the game past and present - who've actually made it - he gives you bold takes on the Premier League, A-League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League and
He was let go from an A-League team after playing in a Grand Final, literally told in the airport on the way home he no longer had a place. He then went on to play at three World Cups. His teammate Jackson Irvine says he's the most underrated Socceroo of all time, and he's now one of the most experienced leaders at Melbourne City FC. Aziz Behich has had quite the journey. He joins OlanTekkers about the setbacks that shaped his career, making it overseas, facing some of football’s biggest names and the mentality that kept him going when things weren’t working out. He also relives…
Absolute baller (and brother of Norwich City's Mo) Al Hassan Toure joins The Failed Footballer to talk about his football journey from Liberia and Guinea to the A-League, the reality of chasing a career overseas, and representing the Socceroos. He opens up about growing up in a football-obsessed family, breaking into Adelaide United's first team at 19, and sharing the international stage with his younger brother Mohamed. He also reveals the harsh side of playing in Europe, including a stint in Turkey where players went unpaid for six months, the injury struggles that nearly derailed his…
Kat Haddad is back on The Failed Footballer to break down the biggest talking points in Australian and world football, from the Socceroos' performance against Brazil to the young players who could define the next generation. Kat and Olantekkers look at whether the gap between Australia and football's traditional powerhouses is starting to close, why the Socceroos' emerging talent is so exciting and what the future could look like for the national team. Then the conversation turns to Manchester City and the debate around their financial charges, possible sanctions and whether past titles…
Jackson Irvine has played for the Socceroos in 3 World Cups. He's played for Celtic, Hull City, Hibs, FC St. Pauli and is now getting at taste of the J-League with Cerezo Osaka. He's a box-to-box midfielder of the type that isn't so common anymore. And he definitely knows what it takes to make it as a footballer and avoid the 'failed' label. He tells OlanTekkers how he made it, how he got through countless trials with European clubs and how Japanese football compares to the German, Scottish and English style of play. Plus, his life outside football and what he gets up to: DJing, fashion and…
There was VAR Chaos in the Manchester derby - should Haaland's goal have stood? Should Bruno Fernandes have been sent off too? Lucas Harrington's Premier League breakout season continues as Hull hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw. How are they doing so well? Mohamed Touré's scoring run continues: how's he doing it? The Men's and Women's NPL Grand Finals delivered on the drama and the goals And it's the big NPL vs A-League debate: where should young players be aiming to get to? The Manchester Derby delivered on the drama once again. OlanTekkers and Kat Haddad debate whether Michael Carrick can…
What's it like getting to the highest levels of football but then falling back down the pyramid? Alou Kuol went from winning trophies with the Central Coast Mariners and signing for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart, to the Mariners again, and finally to the NPL. He opens up about the highs of making it in Europe, the setbacks that followed, and what keeps him chasing the top level. Plus, advice for young players who are trialing at top clubs, life in Germany and how the top-flight in Europe compares to the A-League. OlanTekkers also breaks down Australia's shock failure to qualify for the U20…
OlanTekkers wraps up the performances of our Aussie footballers playing abroad. Mo Toure is on fire 3 games into the EFL Championship season - scoring a brace for Norwich City. Lucas Herrington got 30 minutes in the Premier League for Hull City against Coventry, and Patrick Beach pulled off a worldie of save in Ligue 1 for Troyes. The future looks bright for Aussie football - the 2030 World Cup is going to be interesting. Plus, an interview with 20 year-old Macarthur Bulls midfielder Oliver Randazzo. Hear how he made it to the top of Aussie football, and what it takes to stay there. The…
Nestory Irankunda talks his career-changing move to Portugese giants Sporting CP, how he bounced back from a difficult period in his career, and why the A-League deserves more respect. Plus, future Aussie stars to watch, how Turkiye fired up the Socceroos with their World Cup antics and what can be done to nurture more home-grown talent. One of Australia's most exciting football prospects ever gives OlanTekkers a glimpse into life as a footballer at the very top. The failed footballer interviews the successful one. Enjoy Follow the Failed Footballer:…
OlanTekkers goes down to the Central Coast Mariners training ground to see how they do it at elite level. How do you go from youth academy, to NPL, to A-League? What does it take to make the jump? First-team players and academy graduates Harrison Steele and Lucas Mauragis share their journey, give advice for young players coming through the system and tell us what you need to make it at the highest level in Australia. Plus, the new European season is underway, and Spurs and United are being their usual selves in the Premier League. Spurs lost 3-0 to Brentford while United lost 2-0 to newly…
What’s it like spending three weeks fighting for your dream, only to be let go in a two and a half minute meeting? How do you handle the emotional heartbreak of missing out on the 2026 World Cup squad after giving everything for your country? And what is the reality of player-manager relationships at the highest level? This week, Socceroos striker Mitch Duke joins OlanTekkers for a raw, unfiltered conversation about national team selections, manager dynamics, and the toughest moments of his career. We get the exclusive inside story on his relationship with Australia manager Tony…
Spain had 20 shots. Argentina didn't have a shot until the 117th minute. Just what exactly happened? Guest host and football tragic Nick Stav and iHeart sports reporter John Bric unpack all the stats and baffling tactical decisions from the 2026 World Cup Final. Why did Argentina coach Scaloni play so negatively? Why did Trump refuse to get off the stage? And is Rodri really the most deserving Player of the Tournament? Plus, who's on for the Balon D'Or now Messi, Mbappe and Kane each left without a World Cup win? What sort of goalscoring records is Mbappe going to win as he looks ahead to…
England were minutes away from a World Cup final, then Tuchel pressed the self-destruct button. Messi did Messi things and Argentina turned it around. How did it happen? Olan is in the UK trying to get over the loss, so Kat Haddad jumps into the host chair to unpack England's heartbreaking semi-final loss to Argentina, and the fallout from one of the biggest games of the tournament. The dust has settled and we've heard more opinions than ever, but there's still more to say. NRL legend and host of UNSCRIPTED Josh Mansour joins Kat to analyse the game and debate: How did Thomas Tuchel get it…
What really happened before Patrick Beach was subbed off for Maty Ryan in the World Cup Round of 32 against Egypt? What does it take to spend more than a decade as Australia's No.1 goalkeeper? And how do you go from Blacktown City to the Premier League? This week, Socceroos captain and player in FOUR World Cups Maty Ryan joins OlanTekkers for an honest conversation about the moments that shaped his career. We go right back to Maty's beginnings in Western Sydney, his time at Westfield Sports High (fellow alumni includes Harry Kewell and Alanna Kennedy) and the mentality that helped him make…
How do you get yourself sent off for diving in the 70th minute at 1-1 with the current WC champions? Why was a stadium camera involved in a controversial goal? And are Spain good enough to stop France? These questions answered and more, as A-League sideline reporter and Channel 10 presenter Kat Haddad join OlanTekkers to break down all the biggest talking points from the World Cup quarter-finals. We discuss England's controversial win over Norway, analyse Jude Bellingham's match-winning performance, and debate whether the English media are creating unnecessary drama between Thomas Tuchel and…
Argentina's path to the semi-final: Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Switzerland. We're not one for conspiracies but there's too many coincidences to ignore. OlanTekkers unpacks the calls that weren't given, but should have been, and the the ones that were - but shouldn't. Penalties not given, goals disallowed, red cards not given - it's been a shocking display of refereeing all tournament. Plus, can Australian football every get itself sorted and make a proper bid for a World Cup? What would need to happen for a men's World Cup to come down under? See omnystudio.com/listener for…
FIFA corruption, the game of the tournament so far and Ronaldo finally bows out of the World Cup without his much-desired win. OlanTekkers is joined by Sydney FC goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares to talk all the big World Cup stories, the shocking round of 16 results and how you go from NPL to the A-League. This week Donald Trump called Gianni Infantino asking to have USA forward Folarin Balogun's red card overturned. In a blatant show of corruption, the FIFA president did it. But the USA still couldn't win - Belgium beat them 4-1 and advanced to the quarter-finals. England played Mexico…
The boys fought hard. Souttar and Herrington, despite missing pens, can hold their heads high. So the Aussies crash out on penalties and Egypt go through. At least it's new territory for us - out in the round of 32 instead of the round of 16. Their stock is rising and a big summer move looks likely. We're not done with the World Cup though at the Failed Footballer! New episodes will still be dropping twice a week as we bring you the biggest stories from the round of 16 and beyond. This episode OlanTekkers unpacks 120 minutes of World Cup football, with questions around team selection,…
OlanTekkers and Nick Stav look ahead to the round of 16 with Australia, Egypt, Argentina and Cabo Verde still to play. Will the Socceroos make history and beat Egypt? Will Mo Salah play? If he does, who's going to stop him? Who starts for the Socceroos and who plays where? Plus, our Aussie stars like Bos, Irunkunda and Herrington are attracting serious interest from top clubs like Barcelona and Premier League-bound Hull City. Who's going to make the quarter-finals of the World Cup? We go in deep on the tactics, players and matchups that are going to decide. And it was one of the games of the…
Shades of the disgrace of Gijón (yeah we had to Google it too) when Austria played Algeria on the weekend. Both teams knew a draw would send them through, but Riyad Mahrez obviously forgot. It looked like he'd scored the winner in the 93rd minute and Austria were going out - but then they equalised. Scenes, but was it all too convenient? With Ned Hall, ABC sports football commentator, we break down the big conspiracy and predict how Austria and Algeria will go against their respective opponents in Spain and Switzerland. Plus, how will the Socceroos line up against Egypt on Friday?…
A 0-0 against Paraguay, and The Socceroos are through. Australia are officially into the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, which on paper, is huge. But after watching that game...I’ve got questions. Yes, we got the job done. Yes, Popovic made tactical adjustments after the USA game. And defensively, you can’t argue - the Socceroos looked a lot more solid, a lot more controlled and a lot harder to break down. But going forward? I’m still not fully convinced. Irankunda started - which I asked for - but playing him as a false nine just didn’t feel right. Asking him…
Win or draw, and the Socceroos finish 2nd in the group. They'll then face Belgium, who'll likely finish 2nd in Group G. Lose, and Australia will come up against Germany in the first knockout round. Who would you rather play? To preview the game, analyse who should start for the Socceroos and plot out their most likely route to the final, OlanTekkers is joined by Nick Stav, football presenter, NPL player and tragic Arsenal fan. Nick and Olan give their hot takes on the tactics we'll most likely see against Paraguay, why we should look out for their star man Enciso, and why England struggled…
What does the route to the final look like for the Socceroos, and why does it feel like some teams have it so much easier than others? With Liam Stapleton, breakfast radio host as half of Ben and Liam and content creator, we break down the state of Groups D and G, where it’s still all to play for heading into the final game, with Belgium continuing to underperform and New Zealand still in contention to progress despite a loss to table toppers Egypt. Curacao’s 37-year-old goalkeeper set a World Cup record with 15 saves in their incredible draw against Ecuador. Plus, was the USA…
In what world do you change a winning formula? Tony Popovich…you’ve got some explaining to do (as does the ref). But it’s not over yet... OlanTekkers breaks down what went wrong – from Popovich benching in-form players like Irankunda and Metcalfe, to a defensive setup that had us stuck in our own 18 yard box for 45 minutes. We get into how the US exposed us out wide, why we looked scared to play early and how the game completely flipped in the second half once we actually started going forward. Irankunda comes on and changes everything (again), but there's a lack of…
The Socceroos are pulling massive TV audience numbers…the World Cup’s already claimed its first manager…and somehow, our Socceroos young guns might be the fastest players on the planet. This episode, I catch up with Socceroos 2022 World Cup Qualifying hero, Andrew Redmayne - the goalkeeper who famously used his “jelly legs” technique in a penalty shootout that saw Australia through to this World Cup. He tells us what actually goes into saving penalties at an elite level - how much of it is preparation, how much is instinct and how much of it is just luck. We…
The Socceroos World Cup win over Türkiye in their opening round match is one of the biggest wins in Australian soccer history. This new generation of young players is looking like the real deal. Türkiye dominated the game with 72% possession, twice as many shots on target and endless pressure. They rattled the post and Patrick Beach had a blinder to keep the Socceroos in it. But at the end of the day Australia took their chances, and walked away with the win. So today Olan Tekkers is trying to figure out what actually happened. He's joined by ARN Sports Reporter John Bric who is…
The World Cup has officially kicked off, and I’m doing what I do best: pretending I’m qualified to talk about it. First up, I'm saying it how I see it...Ronaldo is finished. I know that may upset a few people, but look - someone had to say it. Portugal are better off if he doesn't play, let alone start. In the opening game there were three red cards - were they all soft? Did VAR get it right or wrong? Then, i'm joined by Matilda's and Brighton defender Charlie Rule, who actually knows what she's talking about. We get into what World Cup pressure actually feels like when…
This episode of The Failed Footballer is what happens when World Cup fever, actual fever and a touch of delusion all collide at once. I chat to Adam Peacock, the voice of Stan Sport’s football coverage and one of the most trusted voices in Aussie football, and he immediately starts dropping wild World Cup predictions. England to win, a surprise pick for player of the tournament and how much the heat will affect the best teams. Then Santo and Ed, football commentators and hosts of the beloved World Cup Fever on SBS, rolled in to talk about the 48‑team “first actual World…
I failed as a footballer - my words, not yours. But that doesn't stop me from having an opinion...or a podcast. In this first episode of The Failed Footballer , I OlanTekkers kick off the World Cup with a mix of chaos, confidence and conviction. Before a ball is kicked in Canada, Mexico and the US, I lay out my predictions - who's going to win it, who's going to bag the most goals and which young star is going to be this year's James Rodríguez. I sit down with someone who did make it: Socceroos legend and A‑League head coach Mile Sterjovski . A man who’s lived the grind, the…
He failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some expert guests he takes you through the biggest stories, the best goals and all the results from this year's World Cup. This is your front‑row seat to all the action from Canada, Mexico and the US, as we follow Australia (and England) through the group stage and beyond. This show is not affiliated with FIFA or Football Australia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
About The Failed Footballer
He may have failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some icons of the game past and present - who've actually made it - he gives you bold takes on the Premier League, A-League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League and
The Failed Footballer is a English sport podcast from Olan Tekkers & iHeart Australia. 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.
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