In 2010, the footballing community was shouting about corruption. FIFA had just awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. Something didn’t sound quite right…
In this groundbreaking episode, Simon and Mehreen cover not only the life and corruption of former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, but also paint a picture of the geopolitical changes in global football and the rising power shifts from the West to the East.
The podcast features clips from an exclusive interview with Sepp Blatter himself, who candidly reveals details of his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, meetings with Qatar and French President Nicholas Sarkozy, and FIFA officials’ roles in the Qatari corruption scandal.
This is a story of power, money, and corruption—akin to a mafia movie or Hollywood biopic. You won’t want to miss it.
Time stamps:
00:26: Introduction
03:54: Growing up in Switzerland
08:02: Coca Cola gets Blatter into FIFA
13:32: From bureaucrat to the biggest job at FIFA
19:57: Turning a blind eye or encouraging corruption?
24:58: Simon’s run-in with Blatter (and missing out on a spa day)
34:49: Qatari official meets the French President
37:59: Russia and Qatar win the World Cup bid
45:04: Chuck Blazer blows the whistle
49:37: A farcical election and questions of conviction
57:36: A lonely 80s of court cases, irrelevance, and attempt to stop the Ukraine War
01:00:22: What is Sepp Blatter’s legacy?
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Defensive midfielder N’Golo Kanté has left a huge legacy on football, yet hardly anything is known about him. How did this humble, fame-shy footballer become so beloved by barely saying a single world?
In this episode, Simon and Mehreen cover the reclusive Kanté, from poor beginnings in the Paris banlieues to bringing underdog Leicester to shock victory in 2016. They cover his rise to worldwide recognition and uncomfortable relationship with fame as he sees further success at Chelsea and for the French national team.
Together, they piece together an intricate picture of the human behind the hero of football. They cover stories of the well-meaning Kanté, who had never been to a birthday party until his 20s, drives a Mini Cooper, doesn’t want to be paid via offshore tax havens, and struggles with the concept of hiring a cleaner.
But of course, there’s a more unfortunate side to being the most genuine person in league football – a side that leads to Kanté being held at gunpoint thanks to advantageous agents, and business decisions that seem slightly out of character.
This is the story of how the zippy ‘vacuum cleaner’ who hoovers up the midfield became one of the universally-liked men in football.
Time stamps:
00:40: Introduction to N’Golo Kanté (NG)
03:59: Growing up in Paris
07:20: Beginnings in third division French football
10:01: Maturing on and off the pitch at Caen
15:00: Arrival and success at Leicester
20:35: Move to Chelsea and the big leagues
29:00: France win the World Cup
34:35: A ‘vacuum cleaner’ on the pitch and discomfort at recognition
40:13: Surprise comeback at Al-Ittihad
45:15: What if Kanté hadn’t been a footballer?
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Charismatic and polarising football coach José Mourinho always has one single goal for his teams: to win, no matter what. It’s this mentality that led him to awards, accolades, and admiration. So what happens when the winner stops winning?
This second and final episode on José Mourinho chronicles his fall from grace in the 2010s. Simon and Mehreen cover his arrival at Real Madrid in 2010 to joining Turkish football club Fenerbahçe in 2024—and how Mourinho turns toxic when he’s no longer at his peak winning streak.
Simon and Mehreen cover this new, more uncomfortable era for Mourinho—a time when aggressive coaching styles dominate, and awareness of men’s mental health becomes more mainstream. How does Mourinho adapt (or not adapt) during his tenures at Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur?
And is it really over for the notorious media star, love bomber, and genius strategist, or are we now entering Mourinho’s post-Roma redemption era? Listen to find out.
This is a two-parter; listen to our first episode on the rise of José Mourinho before this one.
Time stamps:
00:36: Welcome back
04:37: Arrival at Real Madrid
09:30: Spurring on the Real Madrid-Barça rivalry
14:45: An emotional loss (ft. two emotional Portuguese men)
18:11: The end of the Real Madrid ‘revenge tour’
19:24: Return to Chelsea and love bombing
27:43: Downfall at Chelsea, and the Justin Bieber incident
33:50: Mourinho struggles at Manchester United
40:33: Mourinho’s Manchester United gets left behind
44:35: An ill-fated tenure at Tottenham Hotspur
48:10: A hero’s welcome at Roma (and the start of redemption?)
50:04: Chasing dopamine at Fenerbahçe and Turkish football
53:40: Mourinho’s future and legacy
For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?
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League Code: l7y2et
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Jose Mourinho is the arrogant and charismatic cult figure who divides opinions on the pitch and in the press room. Is he the genius strategist and saviour of failing clubs or just a toxic coach with main character syndrome?
This episode covers the rise of Mourinho, from his early beginnings in Portugal and Barcelona, to his time coaching Chelsea and Inter Milan. Simon and Mehreen analyse Mourinho’s rise to football supremacy with stories that even mega-fans (and mega-haters) may not have heard before.
In the episode, Simon and Mehreen share their tongue-in-cheek, in-depth analysis of Mourinho—as a love bomber and a ‘f***boy’, Mourinho’s problematic takes, and how he has been able to use his intelligence, charisma, and good looks for both good and toxic purposes.
This is a two-parter; look out for the next episode on the fall of Jose Mourinho.
Time stamps:
00:30: Rise, fall, and redemption (?)
4:00: Growing up in a rapidly-changing Portugal
9:40: Rise of the intellectual and start at Barcelona
16:56: Frustration to first big break
21:01: Spotting weaknesses in his opponents
25:35: Mourinho - the handsome, the charismatic
28:53: Becoming the main character – Porto success to Abramovich knocking
35:34: Chelsea beginnings and rise of the media manipulator
43:25: Mourinho “the psychic”
44:43: Problematic takes on African players
47:12: Mourinho the love bomber
50:38: Chelsea becomes toxic
57:51: Chelsea sacking and next big move
1:03:04: Saviour of Inter Milan
1:08:26: Heading for Madrid
For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?
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League Code: l7y2et
Looking forward to playing against you this season!
Follow @heroesandhumans everywhere.
Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com
Sven-Göran Eriksson, former England and Lazio manager, has died at the age of 76.
In this tribute episode, Mehreen and Simon discuss the colourful life and career of the small-town Swede who shook up English football as the country's first foreign national team coach and electrified the British tabloids at the height of media intrusion into the private lives of celebrities.
Mehreen and Simon are joined by Olof Lundh, Swedish sports journalist, on how Sven's career went from managing part-time players with Gothenburg in the '80 and ended in ignominy after an elaborate fraud involving the ghost owners of Notts County and a trip to North Korea. He was a perennial nearly-ran with England's "golden generation" of footballers, was duped by a "fake sheikh", and led a financially-doped Lazio in their greatest years, winning seven trophies in three years.
This is the story of Sweden's greatest ever coach and a remarkable footballing life. RIP Sven.
Timestamps:
00:20 Introduction
07:44: Humble beginnings and discovering football
13:25: Breakthrough with Gothenburg
15:51: Moves around Europe
17:50: The first foreign England manager
25:20: A calm demeanour in the hysterical noughties media
31:37: An English culture clash
34:08: Love affairs and the News International phone hacking scandal
38:19: Flirting with other jobs and the ‘fake sheikh’
45:31: Simon’s take on interviewing Sven
49:35: Penalties misery and protection of players
52:58: The end of England
55:16: The Scam move to Notts County
57:43: Naivete and a move away from European football
1:02:05: Sven reveals he has cancer
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Norwegian striker Erling Haaland is making football history with 63 league goals in two seasons. Tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner, the 6ft4 speed machine seems to attract both rampant adoration and mockery.
In this episode, Simon and Mehreen chronicle Haaland’s short life and rise to glory - from growing up extraordinary in a culture that prioritises equality, and the influence of his sporting family. They chronicle his choices to go for growth over short-term glory, and his move to and impact at Manchester City.
During the episode, Simon and Mehreen discuss the paradoxes of Haaland’s personality - as both typical and ‘anti-Norwegian’, the awkward persona that makes him constantly go viral on social media, and his holy pursuit for longevity à la Cristiano Ronaldo - in contrast to more ‘stereotypical’ footballers such as Jack Grealish.
Time stamps:
00:32: Introduction to Erling Haaland
05:37: Early years in England with a footballer father
09:46: Growing up special in an equal society
14:17: The awkward teen years and rise of the ‘anti-Norwegian’
19:38: The influence of super-agent Mino Raiola and move to Salzburg
25:10: Rise to stardom at Dortmund
30:05: Becoming a viral social media sensation
34:37: Haaland’s Ronaldo-inspired quest for longevity
40:30: Manchester City and the precarious position of being Number 9
45:93: What would Haaland do without football?
For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?
Joining the league couldn't be easier. Simply use the link below and you'll be added automatically after you've entered the game.
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League Code: l7y2et
Looking forward to playing against you this season!
Follow @heroesandhumans everywhere.
Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com
Ten Hag’s slow rise to coaching success seems to have come to an abrupt stop at Manchester United. Can the man who led other teams to glory turn the club around on his third attempt? Or is his tenure simply doomed?
In this episode, Mehreen and Simon chronicle the rise and fall of Erik ten Hag. They cover the hyper-organised, football-obsessed Dutchman’s rise from middling footballer to his slow and successful rise to Head Coach of Ajax.
On the way they investigate the influence of Pep Guardiola on his coaching style and his entrepreneurial obsession with becoming a Ferguson-style football ‘CEO’.
Timestamps:
00.35 - Introduction
05:50 - Childhood coaching-mindset to middling football player
11:47 - The dreamer assistant coach that thinks like a football CEO
13:54 - Assistant at Twente under Steve McClaren
16:34 - Successful stint as Head Coach with the Go-Ahead Eagles
20:37 - The influence of Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich
24:31 - Back to the Netherlands and rise in Utrecht
27:45 - Move to Ajax - from mockery to success
32:33 - The iconic Spurs v Ajax Game, 2019
37:54 - Setting up at Man U and taking control of transfers
49:27 - Man U’s first season: Rocky beginnings or stable start?
56:54 - Staying resilient among increasing uncertainty
1:01 - The winning formula to being a good coach
For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?
Joining the league couldn't be easier. Simply use the link below and you'll be added automatically after you've entered the game.
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League Code: l7y2et
Looking forward to playing against you this season!
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In this special Q&A episode, hosts Mehreen Khan and Simon Kuper answer questions from listeners around the globe. From the Olympics to the intricacies of modern football management, Mehreen and Simon tackle a wide range of topics, providing insights and sharing personal anecdotes. Join us as we explore the world of football through the lens of your questions.
Timestamps:
01:25 - Discussion on the Olympics and its significance in football
06:20 - Emma Hayes' mixed Olympics with the US Women's Team
10:08 - The debate on a UK football team in the Olympics
15:02 - Chelsea's business model and financial strategies
18:12 - The controversial transfer market practices and financial fair play
21:00 - The future of Chelsea under new management
23:30 - The eternal debate: Who is the GOAT of football?
26:40 - Comparing players from different eras and the evolution of the GOAT debate
30:00 - Quickfire round: Hero or Villain?
33:08 - Reflecting on Gareth Southgate's tenure with England
36:58 - The role of modern football managers and their influence
39:35 - Speculation on Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United
45:55 - The impact of American ownership on Premier League clubs
48:02 - Fantasy Premier League tips and Mehreen's starter squad
50:10 - The concept of "Brat" in football and notable examples
52:31 - The common traits among great footballers
54:49 - How Mehreen and Simon met and started the podcast
57:28 - Teaser for the upcoming Jose Mourinho special episode
For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"?
Joining the league couldn't be easier. Simply use the link below and you'll be added automatically after you've entered the game.
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League Code: l7y2et
Looking forward to playing against you this season!
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Over the past 20 weeks, Mehreen and Simon have covered the stories of the so-called ‘heroes’ of football, as well as the game’s undercover (and not so undercover) ‘villains’.
As the duo take a week off to end their debut season, they reflect on their favourite episodes so far, muse on what they’ve learned, and provide behind-the-scenes insights into the podcast.
Heroes and Humans will return on Thursday 8th August for an Olympics special. If you have any Olympics- and general football-related questions you’d like answered by Mehreen and Simon, contact us on Instagram, TikTok and X. Find us under the handle @HeroesAndHumans.
Thank you for listening. Remember to recommend the podcast to your friends and family (or even your enemies) and make sure to leave a review!
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Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com
Tipped as one of the longshots for England manager, Thomas Tuchel is the polarising German football coach known for his brilliance, fanaticism, and sometimes cruelty.
Simon and Mehreen cover the fascinating and complex world of Tuchel, whose career is defined by never-ending cycles of success and self-destruction. They chronicle his rollercoaster career – from early days in Germany under the shadow of Jürgen Klopp, to rises and falls at Paris St Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich.
Discover how the enigmatic Tuchel’s unconventional training methods, tactical innovation towards coaching, and workaholic lifestyle lead him to become such a dividing and impressive figure of today’s football.
Time stamps:
00:30 - Introduction to Thomas Tuchel
01:03 - His unique lifestyle and beliefs
01:41 - The cycle: Success and self-destruction
02:04 - Potential candidacy for the England national team
03:21 - Early career and influences
05:33 - Playing career and transition to coaching
07:24 - Influence of Ralf Rangnick
09:09 - Innovative coaching methods and rise at Mainz
23:23 - Sabbatical and learning from other sports
30:14 - Terrorist attack on Dortmund's team bus
32.20 - Strained relationship with Dortmund's management
33:56 - Move to Paris Saint-Germain
34:50 - Approach to managing star players at Paris Saint Germain
36:24 - Champions League final and abrupt departure from Paris Saint Germain
38:42 - Arrival at Chelsea and immediate impact
43:26 - Winning the Champions League with Chelsea
50:26 - Personal challenges and departure from Chelsea
53:36 - Brief tenure at Bayern Munich
55:40 - Speculation on becoming England manager
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Emma Hayes, one of the most influential figures in women's football, is embarking on a new chapter in her illustrious career. After 12 transformative years as the manager of Chelsea Women, Hayes is set to take on the role of head coach for the United States Women's National Team (USWNT). This episode explores Hayes' remarkable journey, her impact on the sport, and the legacy she leaves behind at Chelsea.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Emma Hayes and her career transition
02:30 - Hayes' early life and journey into football management
05:15 - Building Chelsea Women from the ground up
09:45 - Hayes' coaching philosophy and leadership style
14:30 - Pioneering approaches to women's health in football
18:20 - Major achievements and trophies at Chelsea
22:10 - Personal challenges and growth as a leader
26:35 - Hayes' impact on the professionalisation of women's football
30:50 - The move to USWNT and future aspirations
34:15 - Legacy at Chelsea and in women's football
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