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The A-League is back, and OlanTekkers reckons anyone saying it’s dead clearly wasn’t at the Sydney Derby. The atmosphere was unreal, even if the football didn’t quite live up to it. Olan and Kat Haddad break down the opening round, the Sydney Derby stalemate, the chaos of the F3 Derby and why the derbies matter so much for the league. Then it’s over to the Premier League and the mess at Manchester United. Is Michael Carrick really the man to turn things around, or are the problems much bigger than the manager? Later, Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Isabella Chidiac joins Olan to talk about her football journey, playing with boys growing up, earning a full US college scholarship worth $150k a year, balancing elite football with a pre-med degree, and why breaking into professional football as an international player isn’t as simple as being good enough. She also opens up about returning to Australia, the financial realities of the women’s game, her Matildas dream and the motivation that keeps her chasing it. In this episode:  00:00 The A-League is back 01:45 Sydney Derby review 04:58 The F3 Derby delivers 09:50 A-League Women kicks off 10:09 What’s gone wrong at Manchester United? 16:43 Should clubs give managers more time? 18:40 Isabella joins the pod 19:16 Starting out playing with the boys 22:10 Why Isabella chose US college football 23:56 The $88k-a-year full scholarship 24:31 Life as a student athlete in America 26:24 How good is US college football? 29:17 Trying to turn pro after college 31:29 Returning to Western Sydney 32:14 The financial reality of the A-League Women 33:18 Chasing a Matildas call-up 34:54 Australia vs America 38:49 Isabella’s advice to young footballers 40:57 Dealing with rejection and staying motivated 41:45 Ronaldo vs Messi 43:30 When should Ronaldo have retired?  44:32 Outro See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 his famous chance against Argentina, explains why it still haunts him, gives his honest take on the hype around young Socceroos and Australian football, and shares what he thinks the A-League needs to do to keep growing.   In this episode: 0:00 From NPL Vic with Green Gully to the A-League 1:53 The wing-back position 3:40 Breaking into professional football 4:18 Being told he wasn’t wanted at the airport 5:32 The trial that changed his career 6:17 Advice for young players on trial 8:01 Moving to Turkey 9:13 The toughest players Aziz has faced 10:25 How the fullback position has evolved 12:53 Aziz’s Socceroos journey 14:17 Struggling for game time overseas 15:05 His mentality when he’s not playing 16:31 Three World Cups with the Socceroos 17:35 The Denmark game in Qatar 18:06 That famous moment against Argentina 18:54 The importance of the Paraguay game 19:28 Pressure on the current Socceroos generation 21:17 The most underrated Socceroos 23:46 Are left backs underappreciated? 24:49 Switching off from football 26:50 How can the A-League improve?   Follow the Failed Footballer: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod Follow Olan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers Follow Olan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers   The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App.  Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 career, and how Sydney FC helped him rediscover his love for the game. Plus, his thoughts on the future of the Socceroos, playing in the Australia Cup, and how the A-League can improve.    In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:35 Introducing Al Hassan Toure 00:53 Why A-League pre-seasons are too long 02:27 Winning the Australia Cup twice 04:14 Growing up in Liberia, Guinea and Australia 07:16 Realising he could become a professional footballer 08:39 Breaking into Adelaide United's first team 10:36 Chasing the European dream 11:20 "They stopped paying us for six months" 12:36 Injury setbacks in France 16:48 Life playing in the USA with FC Tulsa 18:33 Returning home and signing for Sydney FC 20:20 Making his Socceroos debut 21:53 Sharing the journey with brother Mohamed Toure 23:35 Watching family at the World Cup 25:25 Future goals and ambitions 27:12 How the A-League can improve 29:13 Sydney FC fans and final thoughts   Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 should ever be taken away. Then NPL footballer Teng Kuol joins the show. Playing for Marconi, Kuol gives an insight into the quality and competitiveness of the NPL, the challenge of balancing semi-professional football with life away from the game, and why players outside the professional system have to take responsibility for doing the extra work themselves. He also talks about playing across multiple positions, settling into Marconi, the pathway from the NPL to the professional game and his thoughts on the Socceroos and Australia's next generation. If you're wondering how good Australia's next generation could be, what life is really like in the NPL, or what it takes to keep chasing professional football when you're outside the full-time system, this is the conversation for you. In this episode: 00:00 Kat Haddad Joins the Show  00:49 Socceroos vs Brazil & Australia's Progress  02:18 Is the Gap to Football's Biggest Nations Closing?  04:39 The Socceroos' Next Generation  07:05 Who Should Australia Build the Team Around?  09:48 Australia's Emerging Attacking Talent  11:04 Manchester City's Financial Charges  12:38 Should Manchester City Be Stripped of Their Titles?  14:02 Can You Separate Pep Guardiola's Achievements From City's Charges?  16:22 What Should Manchester City's Punishment Be?  19:10 Could Manchester City Be Relegated?  21:16 Kat Haddad Wraps Up  21:44 Teng Kuol Joins the Show  22:02 How Competitive Is the NPL?  22:49 Australia's New National Second Tier  24:05 Teng Kuol's Best Position & Versatility  25:33 Club Heritage, Marconi & Fitting Into a New Team  27:20 Balancing Semi-Pro Football With Work  28:12 Why NPL Talent Can Slip Through the Cracks  28:57 The Difference Between Semi-Pro & Professional Football  30:43 Could Teng Kuol Have Scored That World Cup Chance?  31:51 Teng Kuol on the Socceroos & Australia's Future   Follow the Failed Footballer: www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod Follow Olan on Instagram: www.instagram.com/olantekkers Follow Olan on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers   The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App.   Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 learning Japanese. If you're wondering how the A-League compares to European leagues, or what you need to do to get to the top of football anywhere in the world, this is the conversation for you.   In this episode: 00:00 Jackson Irvine on Life in Japan & the J.League 01:10 Culture Shock: Germany vs Japan 02:14 Learning Japanese & Language Barriers 03:59 J.League vs Bundesliga: Which League Is Better? 05:39 Why Japanese Players Are So Technical 07:03 Jackson Irvine's Journey from Victoria to Celtic 10:05 Does Australian Football Let Talents Slip Through the Cracks? 12:03 How Jackson Irvine Earned a Celtic Contract at 16 15:00 What Is Australia's Football Identity? 16:58 Why This Socceroos Generation Is Different 20:02 Jackson Irvine Reflects on the FIFA World Cup 23:51 Do Australians Only Care About the Socceroos During World Cups? 26:41 The Most Underrated Socceroo Ever? 28:46 Football, Fashion & Jackson Irvine's Style 29:52 Jackson Irvine's Music Career & Radio Show 31:01 Why Footballers Need Passions Outside the Game 32:39 Brazil, the Socceroos & What's Next for Jackson Irvine   Follow the Failed Footballer: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod Follow Olan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers  Follow Olan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 finally solve Manchester United's post-Ferguson problems, and vent about another VAR controversy after officials admitted a mistake in City's win. They also check in on two Socceroos flying overseas, with Lucas Harrington helping Hull continue their dream Premier League start and Mohamed Touré's incredible scoring run continuing. Back home, the NSW NPL Grand Finals delivered drama, stunning goals and massive crowds, sparking a bigger conversation about the role of NPL football in Australia. Are young players better off chasing the A-League pathway or building careers through the NPL? What are the financial realities facing Australian footballers? And are clubs doing enough to benefit from the success of players they develop before they're sold overseas?   Host: OlanTekkers Host: Kat Haddad   In this episode:  00:00 Manchester Derby Chaos & Michael Carrick's United 03:07 Red Card Controversy Sparks Debate 04:32 VAR Admits Haaland Goal Error 06:11 Hull's Dream Premier League Start 08:51 Mohamed Touré Can't Stop Scoring 11:31 NPL Women's Grand Final Goes to 120 Minutes 14:57 One of the Best NPL Goals You'll Ever See? 16:10 Why Sydney United's Fans Are Different 17:31 NPL vs A-League: Which Means More? 18:20 Is the NPL Australia's Version of the MLS? 19:55 Why Some Players Choose NPL Over A-League 22:06 The NPL Stories We Need More Of 23:50 Are Australian Clubs Missing Out on Transfer Money? 24:25 The MLS Pathway for Young Aussies 25:23 Nestor Irankunda's Transfer Fee Explained 26:12 Did Brisbane Roar Miss Out on Millions? 27:32 How Australian Football Can Benefit from Future Transfers 28:04 Should Young Players Choose the A-League or NPL? Follow the Failed Footballer on Instagram: @failedfootballerpod Follow Olan on Instagram: @olantekkers Follow Olan on TikTok: @olantekkers The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 2027 Asian Cup, the Aussie stars lighting up Europe, and whether the next generation can take Aussie football forward.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod/ Follow Olan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers/ Follow Olan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers?lang=en The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it.  All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 promote Hull City. It was Australia's third youngest player to debut in the EPL that had everyone excited though; could Lucas Herrington become one of the all-time great Aussie footballers? How to avoid being a failed footballer, and a spotlight on an exciting young Aussie talent overseas - that's what you can expect from the Failed Football podcast.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Popovic, the brutal reality of squad cut-offs, and what went down during that brief exit meeting in Florida before the 2026 World Cup. Mitch opens up about the frustration of spending weeks in camp away from his kids, only to be delivered the disappointing news in minutes. Beyond the Popovic selection drama, Mitch reflects on his iconic 2022 World Cup header against Tunisia, his rise from the A-League to becoming a fan favourite in Japan's J-League, and how he built the mentality to navigate elite football's biggest highs and brutal lows. What went through his head during that brief conversation with Popovic? How does a player process being left out after giving everything in qualification? And how do you pick yourself up and stay proud after such a devastating setback? Plus, Mitch shares his advice for young strikers coming through the ranks, discusses life with his family in Japan, and reflects on his lasting legacy in green and gold. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 2030? And how does this tournament rank compared to previous World Cups? The World Cup is done but The Failed Footballer is not. OlanTekkers will be back with a weekly podcast covering the biggest stories from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, A-League, NPL and Champions League as the 26/27 season gets underway on August 22.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 so wrong?  How have Spain snuck under the radar into the final?  And is this the biggest missed opportunity of the modern England era? We then look ahead to Sunday's World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina - Europe's champions against the defending world champions. Will Lamine Yamal finally step up? Plus, how does this World Cup compare to previous years? Is it just too American? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 the leap from NPL to the biggest leagues in Europe. We also get the inside story on Australia's World Cup campaign, Popovic's selection decisions, Patrick Beach's breakout tournament and how Maty handled the disappointment of watching from the sidelines while still helping drive the team forward behind the scenes. What was going through his head when he was told he'd be coming on for a penalty shootout? Did he always believe he'd make it to the top? And why do Australian footballers still have to work twice as hard to earn respect overseas? Plus, Maty shares his advice for young goalkeepers, explains why mentality matters more than talent, discusses Australia's next generation, and reveals whether he still believes a spot at the 2030 World Cup is within reach. One of Australia's greatest footballers tells his story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 his players. Also we chat Switzerland's heartbreaking exit to Argentina after Breel Embolo was sent off for simulation, a moment that completely changed the game. Did Switzerland throw away their best chance at a World Cup semi-final?  Plus, we preview the two blockbuster semi-finals: England vs Argentina  France vs Spain  Who makes the final? Can England stop Messi and Argentina? Is France's attack too strong for Spain? And has this been the most controversial World Cup ever? We also chat Socceroos, A-League talent, Australia's next generation, and whether FIFA should expand the World Cup to 64 teams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.