New Global Original podcast The Football Authorities launches

Football greats Clive Tyldesley and Martin O’Neill are teaming up to discuss the biggest football stories from across the week in a new podcast.

Launching in time for this summer’s European Championships in Germany, The Football Authorities will see broadcaster Clive and decorated former footballer and coach Martin examine the modern game, attempting to find the reasons behind the big decisions and the meaning of football life.

Clive will set the scene for the podcast each week, while former Aston Villa, Sunderland and Celtic manager Martin draws on his experience on and off the pitch, to discuss the matters at the heart of the game.

The pair will also re-live some of the game’s classic moments and anecdotes from Clive’s 30-plus years in the commentary booth, and both sides of Martin’s career as a cup winning player and coach.

Clive Tyldesley said: “We hope The Football Authorities will be a little bit different. No game-by-game review of the weekend like a Match of the Day re-run, more a look at the stories behind the stories – ‘why’ and ‘how’ rather than ‘what’ and ‘when’.

“Since we first became firm friends at the start of our careers 50 years ago, Martin and I have argued passionately about football over a glass or two… arguments based on our experiences on either side of the white lines of the pitch.”

Martin O’Neill said: “Football has never been more exciting or controversial than it is today, and the opportunity to get stuck into all the big taking points from across the modern game was something I couldn’t pass up.

“Clive is a real broadcasting master, and he has been the ‘voice of football’ for generations over – even though he loves a name drop here and there! It’s a real privilege to be teaming up with him on this exciting new podcast.”

Clive added: “Now, the podcast will give everybody a chance to eavesdrop on our arguments. Relating all of those wonderful experiences around the likes of Clough, Shankly and Ferguson to today’s game is what The Football Authorities is about.

“Martin is a great storyteller with a sharp footballing mind, and an even sharper wit. He’s been a winner at the highest level both as a player and a manager and so when he speaks, the game listens… if I let him get a word in edgeways!”

The Football Authorities with Clive Tyldesley and Martin O’Neill is a Global Original podcast, available to listen to from Monday 3rd June on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.