Beyond The Pitch

This two part episode asks two very serious questions about the future for Landon Donovan with the US National Team and whether the launch date to announce the arrival of NYCFC was as big a PR and media success in New York City that it needed to be given the high stakes partner that Major League Soccer acquired in the name and shape of the New York Yankees. Part one looks at the devolution surrounding the Jurgen Klinsmann relationship with the former star player for the United States and whether Landon Donovan being left out at this stage actually speaks to whether he really has a future with the national team and if being the face of US Soccer for years truly has merit in the bigger picture when compared to the facts and other celebrity athletes in the United States. The conversation gets rather hot and heavy once we begin to dissect the choices that Landon Donovan made in his career and we begin to evaluate what exactly the role of face of the US Soccer really means in the bigger picture. Has it all finally come to a head and a conclusion for Donovan and Brazil 2014, it sure seems so unless Jurgen Klinsmann wants to do the once unthinkable and call up Landon Donovan for the Gold Cup qualifiers as a test run. Part two is an honest look at the NYCFC announcement for Major League Soccer on two fronts - the murky considerations and outcome in the sports media capital of the United States and the significantly huge developments for the league overall having now secured its highest franchise fee to date in this association between Manchester City Football Club and the New York Yankees. There are still questions to be answered about conquering New York come 2015 once the team hits the pitch, but there are even more substantive discussions that need to take place now that the 20th MLS franchise has been locked in place and questions surrounding other MLS properties like Chivas USA need to be sorted.

Matt Lawrence is now both a semi professional footballer and media pundit, but in years past went about his business like most footballers and was even fortunate enough to captain that Millwall side that reached the 2004 FA Cup Final against a Manchester United team that featured the likes of Giggs, Keane, Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy as well as play for Fulham, Crystal Palace, Gillingham and Wycombe. This is the kind of discussion about football that opens the window on a life inside the game and Matt offers us some great insights into how the sport works for the bulk of the athletes who dare dream to play this game, what often awaits at each destination and then finally preparing for life after the game which may even include work os a media pundit or the big decision to give it a try in the managerial ranks, which seems to be an increasingly less likely option today for British managers throughout the sport. We also explore his days at Crystal Palace under Neil Warnock, playing against a once-in-a-generation player like Cristiano Ronaldo, the experience of competing against a giant in an FA Cup Final, what distinguishes a Premier League and Championship player and why so few former players want to go into management. Matt also appears on talkSPORT with their international coverage as well as having appeared on The BBC and Sky TV.

As the Premier League season draws to an end more talking points emerge in the matters of David Moyes and Roberto Mancini as more information and analysis comes to light in terms of one transition to Manchester United and another perplexing end to a Manchester City manager tenure after securing the club its most successful run in many years. To help us through these matters and several others is Daniel Taylor, Chief Football Writer with The Guardian, who helps us break down the David Moyes appointment with greater focus on the bigger picture, whether the glare of Sir Alex Ferguson as both a package for sponsors and a reliable crutch internally makes a great deal more sense longer term and if his hire restores a sense of sanity to the Premier League for the reasons described by Gary Neville of late. Also in focus here is the reason for the early sacking of Roberto Mancini at Manchester City and why it ultimately had to be done not just for reasons once explored during the final days of Mark Hughes, but also because the club needs a new start after a season in which more players regressed in year two than moved ahead. We also discuss the matter of Guy Poyet at Brighton, questions about Roberto Martinez at Wigan and to what his tenure speaks and then we close on the retirement of another football icon, David Beckham, whose legacy inside the game is divided between football and actual football celebrity.

Daniel Geey of the Competition and EU Regulatory Law Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP makes another appearance on the show to take an early look at the challenge placed before the EU in the matter of UEFA Financial Fair Play, which gives the European authority to exclude clubs from its most lucrative competitions. At the core of this process is Jean-Louis Dupont, who helped Belgian footballer Jean-Marc Bosman change European law in 1995, and changed forever the relationship players have to their football clubs, domestic leagues and even supporters throughout Europe as it was a landmark case altering the sport. Now while the rules are designed to keep big spending clubs from reaching past their means, at least in principle, what Dupont will be arguing is that Article 57 of UEFA Financial Fair Play, or the break-even component, will infringe upon several EU fundamental rights of freedom of capital, workers and services, acting through either intended or unintended means to create a deflationary effect on player wages and revenue for agent fees and salaries. Daniel is here to shed some fascinating light on not only the procedural elements that will now be involved, but also brings some real world experience to bear when evaluating the merits of this case against both precedent and potentially exploitive points by counsel on both sides of the aisle. We examine once again the drawbridge net effect of FFP and whether the clear objectives of these regulations can offset the arguments placed before the commission, noting that existing and redefined legislation in the area of overdue payables with respect to other clubs, players and social or tax authorities were left unresolved. We also examine the roles of player agents and player associations as key stakeholders as it is now widely believed that more interested parties might be quick to include themselves in this action as well.

Portland Timbers and Jamaica international striker Ryan Johnson joins us on the show to discuss his return to a very familiar setting in his playing career and explains the stunning phenomenon that has become Jeld-Wen Field, Timbers Army and what is now considered one of the top spectacles in all of North American sports. Since being drafted in the third round, 26th overall, by Real Salt Lake in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, Ryan has landed on an emerging group under first year coach Caleb Porter as the Timbers have reached a nine game unbeaten streak and are just now becoming something of a force in the Western Conference. We also explore how Porter motivates and pushes this group so effectively, a strong and underrated group of players who have adapted to one another quite well and the truly daunting task that lays before Jamaica over the next international break in June with three matches against the iron of CONCACAF is on tap, hosting Mexico and the United States in Kingston, followed by a trip to San Pedro Sula to take on Honduras for a real make or break moment for the 2014 qualification campaign. We also explore the differences between players who ply their trade in Europe versus the players who play their club football here in the CONCACAF region and reflect on recapturing the magic that saw Jamaica beat the United States for the first time in its history after bouncing back from an early deficit to hand Jurgen Klinsmann and his squad a 2-1 defeat at National Stadium in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. We also examine the evolving nature of CONCACAF, why there have been so many shock results so early and whether the emergence of CONCACAF players both overseas and within Major League Soccer has removed the mystery and leveled the pack in this qualification cycle. Get to know more about Ryan Johnson as an emerging force with Portland Timbers and a key moment for Jamaica at a key crossroads in its attempt to reach Brazil in 2014.

Joining us from Tokyo, Japan is grassroots guru, Tom Byer, known as Tomsan all over the world, as his methods for teaching children technique has now hit a standard and scope once thought unimaginable just several short years ago and places him as the most influential voice in youth development worldwide with a next generation digital platform. Today, Tom is leading China back on the long and winding road to football recovery in concert with a CSF Program was created in 2009, which has brought together the Ministries for Education and Sport for a 10 year program which targets Chinese young people to get involved in the game at unprecedented levels and looks to identify elite players as a downstream step. Meanwhile much has gone on in the world of Tomsan Nation and this includes his continued work in Japan and China along with opening a whole list of T3 Academies in markets such as Indonesia, India, Australia and China. T3 and Tomsan has also launched its 3D Apps in 42 Countries throughout Asia via the iTunes Stores to a whole new generation of kids to better serve and deliver on the promise of more predictable and failure-free coaching and instruction. We also discuss a new project with Aya Miyama, National Team Captain for the Japanese women, who Tom trained from her earliest contact with organized training in her country. We also discuss the sleeping giant of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and discuss a recent visit to the jungle there for a week to describe the football mad nature of what could be one the next rising powers if only authorities and the marketplace could harness its potential. There is just loads in the episode, but it always begins with the simple yet brilliant principles - teach kids technique, teach it to them as early as possible and encourage them to be the best they can be. Tom Byer might just be the fastest rising grassroots and youth development superstar on the planet and his new work bridging technology with top level coaching could easily position him as the next big brand that parents, players and federations turn to in the coming years. Simply put, Tom Byer is the man for the new digital frontier of youth development.

Now that the David Moyes era is about to come to a full close at Stamford Bridge next Sunday, Everton legend and club ambassador Graeme Sharp joins us to discuss the massive challenge that sits before chairman Bill Kenwright as he looks to replace an important manager as many economic and competitive challenges enter the frame. We examine some important factors including whether David Moyes might look to move some backroom staff and key players as he moves over to Old Trafford, what kind of factors that the board would be looking for in a replacement and a quick look at a squad that appears to be aging in several spots that need immediate attention. We also gauge strength of the younger players and the youth system and whether there is help there, whether Everton might be prepared to challenge convention by reaching beyond its British roots for the successor to David Moyes and whether managers currently in the Premier League might offer the right mix of experience and guile to get the task of a very busy summer done right. Graeme Sharp is not only a great friend of the show, but also is the owner of two England First Division titles and an FA Cup with the Toffees and might just be the finest and classiest club ambassador out there today.

As a special tribute to the great Sir Alex Ferguson on the heels of receiving his final Premier League title on Sunday, Bob Cass of the Mail on Sunday gives us his thoughts not just on the greatest British manager and what led to this announcement, but also takes a look ahead with us in terms of the process for David Moyes at Manchester United. Obviously a landmark appointment in football history at one the biggest clubs in the world game, we try to get underneath the decision making process for David Moyes, what his first moves might in fact be, what awaits him in the face and shape of Wayne Rooney after having a fall out in the past at Everton, whether Moyes will be his own man and rebuild the club in his image and whether the media is overplaying the need to win a trophy quickly in his first season with the club. In part two, Phil and Anto work through many issues including the job Sir Alex turned in over his 26 seasons at the club, how in many way he over-performed given the type of approach he took in later years up against major spenders in Chelsea and Manchester City and how those values in the rear view mirror became even more important in this transition to David Moyes in the first place. We examine the impact of Sir Alex on the football club, the massive shadow he cast over everything at Old Trafford and begin to unpack the serious challenges that will await the new manager in the shape of an evolving Premier League, a rapidly changing marketplace for both top line and youth players, and that is before even discussing the commercial and competitive realities of doing battle with the elite clubs of the Champions League.

One of the fine, rising color commentators in Major League Soccer, former San Jose and current Earthquakes broadcaster Kelly Gray gives us a first up close look at the 2012 Supporters Shield winners who have brought in a number of new players who could feature prominently after a campaign that ended abruptly in the Western Conference playoffs. We begin with a reminder of how unique this team really is and how the club continues to defy the numbers with late goals, huge comebacks and an ability to unearth remarkable scoring talent such as first year striker Adam Jahn who was drafted 15th overall in the Supplemental Draft out of Stanford University and has already hit the ground running as an early rookie of the year candidate. We also examine the story behind MLS discipline target of late Steven Lenhart and Kelly gives us a deeper look at who he is as a player, why he might be understood and in many ways does set the tone for the close-knit group of Earthquakes who have taken the intensity of a season ago and begun to pace themselves over a long season that will include CONCACAF Champions League later this summer. We also examine the arrival of Walter Martinez, how San Jose is becoming a rising organization in Major League Soccer because of its reputation in finding great talent and excellent value for top level MLS players. A lot comes down to some hard work by the organization, but the tone is clearly set by the group itself and the chemistry is something certainly in the forefront of what Frank Yallop has begun to assemble in Northern California outside of the normal big city glare. This is our first look at Adam Jahn and looks to be something quite special in terms of young US strikers and should be one to watch in 2013 and beyond.

If you follow Manchester United and films that have documented club exploits closely over the years you know Pete Boyle, but more importantly the songs, chants and unique firebrand energy he delivers alongside supporters both inside and outside Old Trafford. What this episode attempts to do is break down the opinions and sense that supporters feel about the Sir Alex retirement from the club and get underneath how pervasive a force he was inside the club, whether David Moyes is the right choice in the end given the unique job requirements of following such a legend and what might be the first things to be addressed for the new manager which inevitably leads to player signings, perhaps moving on Wayne Rooney and even bringing over a couple of familiar names from Goodison Park. Pete Boyle gives us a clear upclose view of all these topics, has some wonderful stories to share about Sir Alex Ferguson and his impact at the largest British football club and helps us understand the many different views out there on the Moyes appointment and whether Wayne Rooney should be sent on his way at last.

Long expected and perhaps grudgingly ignored for a long time now, when the official statement came that announced retirement for Sir Alex Ferguson few questions were ever resolved about who would actually arrive to fill his shoes beyond the usual suspects who did not seem to match the criteria upon which Manchester United now begins this transition. Joining us for a discussion about this retirement announcement and reach for Everton manager David Moyes as replacement, Oliver Kay of The Times gives us his perspective on the timing of the move and whether Sir Alex went out on his terms, how this decision came to be and what factor went into consideration and whether the club and the board got the right man in the end. We also explore the matter of selling David Moyes to the board and what the major considerations should be given that he has never won a trophy in his career and how unresolved personal matters with Wayne Rooney add even more questions than comfort in the short term for supporters. We also look back at Everton and how this move for David Moyes leaves an open wound there which needs to be immediately addresses and will ultimately reveal the quality job that Moyes turned in over the years in that position. We also examine the net effect in the Premier League amongst the traditional top four clubs beyond Manchester United, how the top four this season should be settled and take on the return of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea Football Club both in terms of what is being said about a potential deal and the very real stumbling blocks that have yet to be resolved between The Special One, Roman Abramovich, Real Madrid and a list of prerequisites which have yet to be put aside.

After the dust has settled on a very harsh semi-final round in the Champions League for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, much has been gathered and some important changes appear on the horizon as a result of an 11-3 aggregate failure against Bayern and Dortmund, but is this a case of over-reaction or over-simplification with respect to some important clues that were ignored. At the crux of this failure is that these two Spanish giants might just have been a victim of their own success during a remarkable run of silverware for both club and country and whose stumble is more than likely temporary over telling longer term. However, in focus for this episode are those elements which did not go addressed, several trends that finally did take a bite of the two most dominant sides in Europe since the start of the decade and whether or not the first big questions must involved the two managers for very different reasons. On the one hand there is Tito Vilanova with some serious health issues that arose this season, but even before that occurred there were clear indications that his version of Barcelona was already weakened both by age, durability and perhaps a lack of hunger. Then over to Jose Mourinho whose tenure at Real Madrid looks to have drawn to a close after a season in which the politics and posturing finally caught up to him and his team of superstars who suddenly underperformed again and lost their way at the semi-final stage. We examine the transfer market, the politics, the lost opportunities and whether the Spanish national team performances in concert with a remarkable run for Real Madrid and Barcelona in club football hold the key in what went wrong against their German opponents shorter term. We also explore the potential of Jose Mourinho exiting for Chelsea and what he will leave behind in Madrid and whether or not Carlo Ancelotti is the right man with the right approach now that The Special One looks set to renew his love affair with English Football.

The voice of both the New York Red Bulls on MSG, Steve Cangialosi joins the show give us a look at where the transition currently sits for Mike Petke in year one of his coaching career, the emergence of Thierry Henry as the marquee player in the league and what the impact of a second MLS franchise in New York could be for the sport. Steve Cangialosi is also the play by play voice for the New Jersey Devils, so he has a great vantage point for multi-team sports in the hustle and bustle of the New York sports marketplace, called play-by-play for NBC soccer coverage at the Summer Olympics and continues to call soccer matches for ESPN International, so we have a deep dive into what he applies to the soccer commentary from the great sport of hockey as well as discussing how the sport of soccer has emerged and looks to evolve in the biggest marketplace in North America. We also explore how Thierry Henry has emerged in Major League Soccer, the progress of his two main lieutenants in Tim Cahill and Juninho, then evaluate at which point in the season where we might have the best idea about where the Red Bulls could be headed this season. If you follow the Red Bulls or just New York sports in general, what Steve Cangialosi has to say about the New York sports marketplace matters as he is a life-long New Yorker with a ton of insight and knowledge about sport history of the entire area.

New revelations from an ISL Bribery List, a CONCACAF Intergrity report and a rather bizarre Jack Warner rally called Straight Talk in Trinidad and Tobago are the backdrop upon which a very important episode begins to look back at the transition from João Havelange to Sepp Blatter in 1998 and how modern FIFA politics have been forever shaped by this process. Joining for a discussion into the ethical erosion of FIFA since those days and what its legacy has served up in the matter of reform, transparency and justice inside world football is David Larkin who serves as Co-Director and General Counsel for the ChangeFIFA organization. At the core here is how the events have shaped what FIFA now presents as its own version of the truth to the public, how the ground level politics have operated since 1998 and how Sepp Blatter might just be finally running out of bodies to sacrifice, and whether recent revelations in an CONCACAF Integrity Report and a strange press conference by the deposed Jack Warner might have tossed yet two more important wrenches into this process. Also in view here is the ISL Bribery List published from Switzerland which again corroborates a vast number of investigative stories about how money was moved inside FIFA, effectively turning entire regions of the world into a plantation for votes, ensuring that Sepp Blatter would retain power. However, at the deepest point of this important episode is how justice and fair play have been subjected to a deep and troubling sense of ethical erosion in this sport to the extent that people are in danger or left in a world of institutional slavery, threats, broken elections and even human rights abusers being elected a president of an entire federation. The question is whether people and politicians wish to wake up to these realities and whether we believe the sport is worth the fight. Even the processes inside world football governance are failing to create even a perception of reform outside of incessant PR spin and independent analysts are leaving their posts in protest of a system defined more by conflicts of interest and rampant self-interest than transparency and reform. Meanwhile, the long shadows of ISL, Blatter, Havelange, Bin Hammam and Warner are becoming even more linked together than ever before and FIFA is simply running out of the disgraced to toss over the railing.

And now there are two German clubs left - and with that all kinds of bold conclusions and rash judgments will be made about which form of football is in the ascendancy and which might just be at the end of the road without much understanding about trends, finances and what the future may indeed hold for several of the biggest leagues in European football. Joining us to discuss these topics and several others is ESPN UK commentator Derek Rae on the heels of two massive results for both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund who have guaranteed an all-German final by dispatching Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona on a combined 11-3 aggregate after four surprising matches filled with intrigue and ramifications. We examine what went right for the Germans both in terms of establishing a new roadmap to success in European football but openly start to question as well whether a core of Spanish international players for both Real Madrid and Barcelona have come to the end of a cycle prematurely given the amount of top level football that a select group of special players have delivered for both club and country over a short period of time including professional honors as well as the biggest national team competitions in the game itself which includes two continental and one World Cup trophy. Also discussed here is the failure for QPR, the potential outcome of the Champions League Final, what to expect for Jose Mourinho in a return engagement with Chelsea and look at a reorganization plan for Scottish football that failed to finally materialize and what next for Rangers Football Club after further details about Charles Green and Craig Whyte have emerged.