It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast

Dec 09 2024 44 ep. 56 mins 675
It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast artwork

Welcome to The Overlap's football history podcast, It Was What It Was.

Each week Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper will be talking about the key episodes in football history that have shaped the footballing world.

The show will be discussing the best stories from football's past, giving insights to the personalities involved. the tales from behind the scenes and the impact they left.

Join us at Football University!

If you enjoy the podcast please hit subscribe to never miss an episode.

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Wolves: Champions Of The World!

Dec 09 2024 54 mins  
This week on It Was What It Was, Jonathan and Rob introduce us to the team - and the match - that played a huge part in the invention of the European Cup...“Champions of the World!” was the headline given to Wolverhampton Wanderers, when they beat the mighty Hungarian team Honvéd, led by Ferenc Puskas, in 1954. Billy Wright was the star of the show for a game that many saw as

When the Super Eagles Stunned the World - Nigeria 1996

Dec 02 2024 57 mins  
This week on It Was What It Was, we're looking at one of football's most remarkable underdog stories. Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper take us back to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where Nigeria’s “Dream Team” shocked the world and won men's gold - the first African team to win a senior global football tournament. From Kanu’s heroics, to dramatic comeback victories over Brazi

Ruben Amorim: Have Man United Found Their Special One?

Nov 25 2024 56 mins  
This week. It Was What It Was asks: What is it with Portuguese football? With Ruben Amorim arriving at Manchester United, there are now as many Premier League managers from Portugal as from England coaching this season.  Portugal also has the fourth highest-quota of Premier League players (after England, Brazil and France). For a nation of just over 10 million, it consist

Rafa Benitez: My Coaching Secrets - Part Two

Nov 20 2024 57 mins  
Welcome to It Was What It Was, and Part Two of our special look back at the remarkable career of Rafa Benitez - with the man himself!In this second part - Rafa, Jonathan and Rob look back at Rafa's arrival at Anfield, his influence on the Premier League, and then head backstage to explain the moments and decisions behind that iconic Champions League triumph in Istanbul.Join us as R

Rafa Benitez: My Coaching Secrets - Part One

Nov 18 2024 68 mins  
In this special episode of It Was What It Was, Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by the legendary Rafa Benitez.Part One explores the early years of Rafa's extraordinary career, from his beginnings as a promising young coach in Spain to his groundbreaking success with Valencia.Rafa shares the stories, challenges, and philosophy that shaped his journey. Part One takes us up t

Thomas Tuchel: The Origin Story of England's New Manager

Nov 11 2024 55 mins  
In this week’s episode of It Was What It Was, Jonathan and Rob take a deep dive into the fascinating journey of Thomas Tuchel, the newly appointed England manager. From his early years as a player with a mature football mind, to a detour studying economics while working in a cocktail bar, Tuchel’s path to football’s elite has been anything but ordinary. Jo

The Money Behind Modern Football With Miguel Delaney

Nov 04 2024 59 mins  
In this week’s episode of It Was What It Was, Miguel Delaney discusses his new book: States of Play: How Sportswashing Took Over Football.Jonathan, Rob and Miguel assess how mega-rich investors and state-backed owners have transformed clubs and competitions around the world. The trio explain the impact of sportswashing on our modern game - where nations and corporations

Emergency Pod: Amorim Arrives! Man United And The Busby-Ferguson Curse

Oct 31 2024 57 mins  
In this bonus episode of It Was What It Was hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper look into the striking parallels between Manchester United’s managerial struggles in the post-Matt Busby and post-Sir Alex Ferguson eras. Despite decades of history and immense success, the club has faced a persistent challenge in finding a manager capable of replicating the legacy left by its legend

The Trilogy of Violence: Celtic v Racing 1967 - Part Two

Oct 30 2024 49 mins  
In Part Two of It Was What It Was, we dive into the explosive conclusion of the 1967 Intercontinental Cup clash between Celtic and Racing Club. With tempers flaring, the second and decisive third legs were anything but ordinary—featuring multiple send-offs, brutal fouls, and even a policeman with a drawn sword stepping onto the pitch.Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper guide you throu

The Trilogy of Violence: Celtic v Racing 1967 - Part One

Oct 28 2024 47 mins  
This week on It Was What It Was, we’re traveling back to 1967, when Celtic’s legendary Lisbon Lions clashed with Racing Club in an unforgettable, fiery three-match series for the Intercontinental Cup. In Part One, Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper set the stage before the first leg at Hampden Park, where Jock Stein’s side secured a 1-0 advantage to take to South Americ