In this episode of How Good Were They?, we dive into the legendary career of Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful football manager in British history. From winning European silverware with Aberdeen to transforming Manchester United into a global powerhouse, Ferguson's reign reshaped modern football.
We explore his 13 Premier League titles, 2 UEFA Champions League wins, and unforgettable moments like the 1999 Treble. But was it just trophies — or something deeper? We unpack his man-management skills, his tactical adaptability, and his unmatched ability to rebuild title-winning squads across decades.
Then come the curveballs: Was his European record slightly underwhelming? Would he survive the modern era’s lack of patience? And did United’s financial dominance give him an unfair advantage?
With insight from legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and Pep Guardiola, plus fan verdicts and legacy talk, we ask the ultimate question: Was Sir Alex Ferguson truly the greatest manager of all time?
🎧 Hit play and relive the era of mind games, last-minute winners, and managerial genius.
Hashtags:
#SirAlexFerguson #ManchesterUnited #PremierLeague #FootballPodcast #ChampionsLeague #FootballHistory #HowGoodWereThey #FergusonEra #SoccerLegends #GOATManager
In this episode of How Good Were They?, we celebrate the magic of Ronaldinho Gaúcho, the Brazilian genius who turned football into pure art. From his early rise at Grêmio and PSG to his unforgettable peak at Barcelona, Ronaldinho lit up the world with skill, flair, and joy rarely seen at the highest level.
We relive his Ballon d’Or 2005 win, his role in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup victory, and his iconic moments: that audacious free‑kick against England, the night he received a standing ovation at the Bernabéu, and countless tricks that left defenders helpless. But was he truly one of the all‑time greats, or was his brilliance too brief?
In our trademark style, we throw in three curveballs: Was his prime too short? Did his off‑field lifestyle hold him back from even greater heights? And was he too much of a luxury player for modern systems?
With quotes from legends like Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry, plus listener opinions, we explore Ronaldinho’s influence on a generation and his lasting legacy in world football.
🎧 Listen now and fall in love with football all over again.
Hashtags:
#Ronaldinho #FCBarcelona #BrazilFootball #FootballPodcast #BallonDor #HowGoodWereThey #SoccerLegends #FootballHistory #LaLiga #WorldCup2002
In this episode of How Good Were They?, we take a deep dive into the legendary England 1966 World Cup-winning team — the only Three Lions squad to ever lift the World Cup. Led by Sir Alf Ramsey and captained by the iconic Bobby Moore, this side beat West Germany 4–2 in a dramatic final at Wembley, thanks to a hat-trick from Geoff Hurst and key performances from legends like Bobby Charlton and Gordon Banks.
But beyond the glory, how great was this team? We break down their style of play, tactical legacy, and the players who made history — while also throwing in three curveballs that might change how you remember 1966. Would they still have won with VAR? Did they truly dominate their era? And how would they cope in the modern game?
From football nostalgia to cold, hard reassessment — this is the definitive podcast episode on England’s most iconic team.
Keywords:
England 1966 podcast, World Cup history, Geoff Hurst hat-trick, Bobby Moore legacy, Alf Ramsey tactics, England football legends, 1966 final VAR, classic football analysis, Three Lions history
Hashtags:
#England1966 #WorldCupHistory #ThreeLions #FootballPodcast #HowGoodWereThey #BobbyMoore #GeoffHurst #EnglandLegends #ClassicFootball #VARDebate
In this episode of How Good Were They?, we dive into the remarkable and often underappreciated career of John Charles — the Welsh icon known as The Gentle Giant. From his goal-scoring brilliance at Leeds United to his legendary status at Juventus, Charles was one of the rare players to excel as both a centre-forward and a centre-half. Voted Juventus’ greatest-ever foreign player and included revered by Pele, Charles is a name that deserves to be remembered — but is often overlooked.
We cover his unique playing style, extraordinary discipline (never booked!), and his lasting legacy in both English and Italian football. Plus: three curveballs that make us re-evaluate how his story is told. Was he a victim of football’s pre-TV era? Would he be recognised as an all-time great in today’s game?
Hit play to find out: How good was John Charles, really?
Keywords:
John Charles podcast, Leeds United legend, Juventus history, Welsh football greats, FIFA 100 players, football GOATs, 1950s football, dual-position footballers, underrated footballers, Serie A history, football nostalgia
Hashtags:
#JohnCharles #FootballPodcast #LeedsUnited #Juventus #WalesFootball #GOATDebate #FIFA100 #FootballLegends #SerieAHistory #HowGoodWereThey
🎙️ How Good Were They? – Episode 4: Ferenc Puskás
In this episode, we explore the legendary career of Ferenc Puskás, the Hungarian icon whose name still defines goal-scoring greatness. From his early dominance at Budapest Honvéd to his stunning comeback with Real Madrid, Puskás racked up over 700 career goals and became one of football’s most influential figures.
We take you through his rise with Hungary’s Mighty Magyars, his iconic performance in the “Match of the Century” against England, and his remarkable late-career success in Spain — including four goals in a European Cup final. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing: exile from Hungary, a lost World Cup final, and years out of the game raise key curveball questions about how we measure his greatness.
Was he a stat-padder? Was his legend inflated by nostalgia? Or was he simply one of the most complete attackers in football history?
Packed with historical insight, legendary quotes, fan opinions, and a legacy that lives on in the FIFA Puskás Award, this is the definitive verdict on one of the game’s true icons.
✅ Keywords: Ferenc Puskás, Puskas Award, Real Madrid legends, Hungary golden team, greatest footballers, football history podcast, European Cup, Zico, Di Stéfano, classic goals
#Puskas #FerencPuskas #RealMadrid #MightyMagyars #FootballLegends #HowGoodWereThey #FootballPodcast #WorldCupHistory #GOATdebate
In this episode, we explore one of football’s most beloved yet bittersweet stories — the legendary Brazil 1982 World Cup squad. Led by Telê Santana and featuring icons like Zico, Sócrates, Falcão, and Éder, this team played some of the most beautiful football the world has ever seen. But despite dazzling fans and scoring sensational goals, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Italy in one of the World Cup’s most iconic matches.
We break down their fluid tactics, midfield magic, and unmatched flair — but also ask tough questions. Did their lack of defensive structure cost them greatness? Has nostalgia inflated their legacy? And what if they’d played in a different era?
Featuring legendary quotes, tactical insights, fan opinions, and our signature curveball section, we ask the ultimate question: Can a team that didn’t win still be truly great?
Perfect for fans of football history, World Cup nostalgia, and the eternal debate of style vs substance.
✅ Keywords: Brazil 1982, Zico, Sócrates, World Cup history, best football teams, Joga Bonito, greatest teams never to win, Brazil vs Italy 1982, Paolo Rossi, Telê Santana, football podcast, classic World Cup moments.
🎙️ How Good Were They? – Episode 2: Marco van Basten
In this episode, we dive into the dazzling yet tragically short career of Marco van Basten — the Dutch maestro whose name still echoes in football folklore. From his prolific goal-scoring spells at Ajax and AC Milan to iconic moments like that volley against the USSR in Euro ‘88 and his unforgettable hat-trick against England, we explore what made Van Basten a phenomenon.
We break down his playing style, his legendary partnerships with Gullit and Rijkaard, and how he redefined what it meant to be a complete striker. But we also throw in a few curveballs — how his career was derailed by injury, the eternal “what if” surrounding his potential, and the curious lack of a World Cup legacy.
You’ll hear quotes from the likes of Maldini, Sacchi, and Thierry Henry, plus opinions from our followers. In the end, we answer the big question: Was Marco van Basten truly great — or just a fleeting genius?
Hit play to find out.
Follow and subscribe for deep dives into the icons of football’s past. New episodes every week.
#MarcoVanBasten #FootballLegends #HowGoodWereThey #Podcast
🎙️ Welcome to this special episode of our podcast, where we dive deep into the legendary career of one of football’s greatest defenders — Paolo Maldini. From his debut as a teenager with AC Milan to becoming a symbol of elegance, discipline, and loyalty, Maldini defined what it means to be a world-class player.
In this episode, we explore what made Maldini so special. Was it his flawless positioning, his tactical intelligence, or the way he made defending look effortless? We break down his most iconic performances, his leadership on and off the pitch, and his influence on generations of defenders that followed.
Whether you watched him dominate Serie A and the Champions League, or you’ve only heard his name in GOAT debates, this is your chance to understand why Paolo Maldini isn’t just one of the best defenders — he’s one of the best players in football history.
📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your favorite Maldini moment!
#Maldini #PaoloMaldini #ACMilan #FootballLegends #GOATDefender #Podcast #SerieA #ChampionsLeague
The Football History Boys are back in 2024 and are kicking off the New Year looking back at some of football's history most significant and seismic law changes, from 1863, to the modern game and the scourge of VAR. Have a listen, and get involved in the conversation yourselves over on Twitter/X @TFHBs!
Make sure you have a watch of some of the videos mentioned in the pod on YouTube. We are also obsessed with Retro Football Management, the game that lets you take over loads of different clubs in various historical eras. Our favourite save was (unsuccessfully) trying to win Maradona’s Napoli the 1985 Scudetto! Check it out here!
The Football History Boys are back after a hiatus and are excited to be previewing our Twitter/X '#ClubLegendsWorldCup'! We have 32 legends lined up to compete in the online tournament following the success of our stadium, rivalry, crest and kit World Cups. Have a listen for the group draw and as we preview the big names. Plus we revisit VAR and have a quiz about some of football's greatest managers, check it out!
Make sure you get in touch with your thoughts and cast your votes at: @TFHBs.
TFHB are searching for the 100 best women's footballers to have ever played the beautiful game. We discuss the players who have made the long-list, your opinions, who would make our top 5 and are joined by some special guests. Make sure you head over to our Twitter to vote so your favourite doesn't miss out in our finals tournament. A big thank you to Emma Coolen, Professor Laura McAllister, Alex Culvin and Girls On The Ball!
Get involved by tweeting us: https://twitter.com/TFHBs or find the articles discussed over at our website: https://www.thefootballhistoryboys.com/. Our first book is now available to BUY here, or pre-order book 2 here!
As we approach our 8th birthday, we are looking for the 100 best men's footballers to have ever played the game. We discuss the players who have made the long-list, your votes so far and who would make our top 5. Make sure you head over to our site to vote so your favourite doesn't miss out! We also consider the sacking of Frank Lampard from Chelsea, and think ahead to Euro 2020... held in 2021!
Get involved by tweeting us: https://twitter.com/TFHBs or find the articles discussed over at our website: https://www.thefootballhistoryboys.com/. Our first book is now available to BUY here, or pre-order book 2 here!
Our second season is back after a long break, but hopefully back with a bang! We dicuss some of football's finest late goals, some of the best Manchester United v Liverpool games from years gone by, the FA Cup and let you know all about our exciting new book.
Get involved by tweeting us: https://twitter.com/TFHBs or find the articles discussed over at our website: https://www.thefootballhistoryboys.com/. Our book is now available to BUY here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Footballs-Fifty-Most-Important-Moments/dp/178531632X.
Our second season kicks off with catching up on the Premier League so far, but with important dicussions about football Pay-Per-View (PPV), Project Big Picture and the ever looming threat of the European Super League.
We also hear some of our listener's opinions about who would be your dream line-up for a penalty shootout, along with who you would currently pick for Wales' starting XI at Euro 2020(21) this coming summer.
Get involved by tweeting us: https://twitter.com/TFHBs or find the articles discussed over at our website: https://www.thefootballhistoryboys.com/. Our book is now available to BUY here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Footballs-Fifty-Most-Important-Moments/dp/178531632X.
TFHB were able to meet up for a socially distanced chat face to face for our end of season pod! As an season closer for us, we review this weird COVID impacted campaign, whilst considering what seasons we believe to be the 'most significant' in the history of the game... 1888/89, 1923/24, 1953/54, 1966/67, 1988/89 and 2004/05, have a listen to our reasons why as we share some of your opinions too. We also give out some end of season awards for 2019/20 and manage to fit in a quiz as well!
Get involved by tweeting us: https://twitter.com/TFHBs or find the articles discussed over at our website: https://www.thefootballhistoryboys.com/. Our book is now available to BUY here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Footballs-Fifty-Most-Important-Moments/dp/178531632X.
