There’s an exciting transformation underway at Sunderland, reminiscent of a French revolution. When Régis Le Bris joined the club in the summer of 2024, it was met with a mix of skepticism and curiosity, as many in English football were unfamiliar with the French tactician, especially after he had just overseen Lorient's relegation from Ligue 1. Fast forward to today and they are preparing for the Premier League powered by a French billionaire and now with the magic of Sporting Director Florent Ghisolfi (the man who scouted and discovered so many gems for RC Lens) on board. Their signings are ambitious and so are the players they are being linked with. Follow us on X Euro Tales (@Eurotalespod) / X BlueSky @Eurotalespod (@eurotalespod.bsky.social) — Bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A year in football can feel like an eternity, and what a difference a year makes. Just twelve months ago, we were salivating over Bologna’s determined charge toward the Champions League’s holy grail. Among the heroes of Bologna’s ascent, two were swiftly recruited by bigger clubs in the football sea. Zirkzee found himself swept into Manchester United’s whirlpool, while tactical genius Thiago Motta was snagged by the giants of Turin, Juventus. Yet, Zirkzee's time in red has left fans wanting more, and Motta has already exited the Juventus stage after just two transfer windows. Despite a hefty war chest, Juventus now grapples with its own crisis. The Bianconeri have a penchant for turning to familiar faces during turbulent times. Motta has been replaced by former star Igor Tudor, who now takes the helm on a short-term deal. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome back the insightful Italian football expert, Daniele Fisichella, to navigate the latest challenges facing the Old Lady. There is no finer Italian football mind than Daniele follow him on X - @dfisi Follow Eurotales - @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Basque Brilliance: Bilbao's Bold Quest for La Liga Glory Join us for an exhilarating look at Bilbao's ambitious pursuit of La Liga glory. In this episode, we feature football expert Ray Mundo, who reflects on how the sport has shaped his career. Discover the strategic prowess of manager Ernesto Valverde and the team's remarkable home advantage that stifles opponents. We'll also highlight standout talents like Oihan Sancet and discuss the possibilities for a title run. Tune in for an engaging exploration of Bilbao's inspiring football journey! Follow Ray Mundo on X - @RayMundoFutbol and his sensational youtube channel click here Follow Eurotales on X - @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, our journey takes us to the Bundesliga. German football has a rich history of talent and top-tier managers. Just ask the English FA, who appointed a German and former manager of Manager of Mainz Thomas Tuchel as manager of England. The question arises: who is the next elite coach from the Bundesliga we should watch? Enter Bo Henriksen, the Danish dynamo who took charge of Mainz in February 2024. At that time, Mainz struggled in 17th place, relegation fears weighed heavy. Now, they are in the hunt for a Champions League spot. We’re thrilled to have Rune Gjerulff Petersen join us, founder of the magnificent Bundesliga site Bulinews.com, Rune is also a fellow country man of Bo Henriksen a fellow great Dane. Follow Rune on X - @runegjerulff Follow Eurotales on X - @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Monaco have thrilled and delighted in patches in this season’s Champions League, they even vanquished Barcelona and Aston Villa. But in life we often get a mirror held up to our soul, reflecting the darkest corners of our own heart, a nemesis meets us at the crossroads of destiny. For Adi Hütter’s exciting young Monaco side Portuguese outfit Benfica have been the tormentors to their European dreams. We are blessed to be joined by a guru who lives and breathes Monaco, Edward Stratmann from the Monaco Tribune to discuss Monaco’s European adventure that ended in heartbreak. Follow Ed on X: @EdwardStratmann Follow Eurotales on X: @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we explore Marseille's quest to challenge PSG's dominance in Ligue 1. With the season hitting the final stretch, Marseille enjoys a weekly rhythm, sitting in second place. Under Roberto De Zerbi's leadership, the club strengthened its squad during the January transfer window, aiming for greatness. Joining us is George Boxall, a prominent voice in French football, who shares insights on Marseille’s potential and struggles. Not only does George contribute to the official Ligue 1 site, but he also wields the editorial pen at Get French Football News. We discuss the club's enigmatic history, De Zerbi’s influence, and the passionate support from the ultras. We also examine Marseille's attacking style and the emergence of Mason Greenwood as a key player. Plus, we delve into the arrival of Amine Gouiri and his journey to fulfilling his promise at the Velodrome. Can Marseille ultimately dethrone PSG? Join us for an engaging conversation and discover more about George's work in the football community. Follow George on X: @georgeboxall22 Follow Eurotales on X for future episodes: @Eurotalespod Or Blue Sky: @eurotalespod.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The football spotlight now shifts to Europe's midweek stage, where excitement ignites. Aston Villa faces Celtic in a showdown dubbed the Battle of Britain, enticing fans from the British Isles. Irish supporters are set to bring the thunder also, rallying behind both Celtic and Villa with passionate cheers. Joining us this week is Neil, a devoted Irish Aston Villa fan and co-host of the For The Love Of Paul McGrath podcast, to give us an Irish perspective ahead of the game. We hope you enjoy the discussion! Follow Neil on Twitter for more insights For The Love of Paul McGrath Villa Podcast (@LoveMcGrathpod) / X and catch a link to his showhttps://t.co/6Vhm3BMLT6. Follow us on Eurotales (1) Euro Tales (@Eurotalespod) / X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Eurotales the transfer window is open for business once more where the teams all around Europe seek to upgrade their playing squads and pick up a bargain or a superstar who’s contract is dwindling. We are going to profile four stars in waiting who may be on the move this January window. Samuele Ricci – Stylish Italian Deep Lying Midfielder Kiliann Sildillia – French Right Back In Need Of A Fresh Start Malick Fofana – Electric Belgian Winger Ben Godfrey – A English Defender In Need Of Rescuing Follow us on X Euro Tales (@Eurotalespod) / X Follow us on Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nantes season mirrors a rollercoaster ride. Early success—7 points from 9—raised hopes for midtable stability. Dreams shattered quickly. Winless between September and December beckons a relegation battle. This pattern echoes recent years. Last season, relegation loomed until Antoine Kombouaré, their rehired ex-manager, orchestrated a miraculous escape. Despite tensions with president Waldemar Kita, Kombouaré answered the call. Now, history may repeat. Will Kombouaré save Nantes again? Or will Kita sack him once more? The club teeters on a familiar precipice, caught between hope and despair. Nantes future remains uncertain. Past seasons offer conflicting precedents. As the drama unfolds, we turn to Paul Reeve, a man deeply connected to the French club, for insight into their precarious situation. Follow us on X Euro Tales (@Eurotalespod) / X or Bluesky @Eurotalespod (@eurotalespod.bsky.social) — Bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forest's revival stirs long-dormant dreams. Brazilian flair and Greek billions propel them skyward. An Anfield ambush proved their mettle. Now can they eye Europe? Matching Spurs and Villa for points currently would indicate yes. What fuels this ascent? History whispers of past glories. Turbulent years fade as dreams of a Euro return beckons. Adam from Red Side Of The Trent Podcast unpacks the phenomenon. A Netflix-worthy plot unfolds at the City Ground. Follow Eurotales on X @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Eurotales, where we offer a refreshing change from the same old stories about European football's top clubs. This week, we're heading to France to catch up with our friend, respected journalist Roy Calley, now based in the beautiful French Riviera. After years with the BBC, Roy was drawn to OGC Nice, where he's now a season ticket holder and deeply involved in the vibrant French football scene. OGC Nice is a club often affected by changes in the wind, and its landscape has shifted significantly since Franck Haise took over as manager last summer. Haise's appointment is a major coup for the club, owned by Manchester United's Jim Ratcliffe. As the former Lens manager, Haise masterminded the RC Lens fairy tale, using his shrewd management skills to help the team achieve more than expected. With Haise at the helm, OGC Nice is set to adopt a new philosophy, revamping tactics and team dynamics. The club's ability to adapt to high-profile player departures will test its resilience and ambition. As OGC Nice navigates this period of change, questions arise about its future direction, identity, and competitive edge in Ligue 1, especially with Monaco, Marseille, and Lille reemerging as strong contenders. Roy Calley's insight sheds light on this transformative time, combining local expertise with journalistic acumen. Follow Roy on Twitter/X - @Roycalley Follow Eurotales On Twitter/X - @Eurotalespod If you love French Football subscribe to our French football newsletter for free- The Ligue1 Essential | Liam Scahill | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Serie A beckons once more, fresh from last season's goal-fest. Bologna's fairytale run to Champions League qualification under Motta, led by Zirkzee, reminded us of football's enduring magic. Yet success breeds change, and both have departed. Now, eyes turn to potential dark horses. Could Torino be this year's Bologna? Their blistering start - unbeaten in five, briefly topping the table - suggests promise. New manager Pablo Fanoli, fresh from guiding Venezia to promotion, brings ambition. To unravel Torino's surge, we turn to Ruairi Criscuølø , the Italian football sage from the esteemed Anglo-Italian Pod. His insights may illuminate whether Torino can sustain their early-season form and challenge the established order in Serie A. Ruairi blew us away with his knowledge of the beautiful game in Italy check out his podcast The Anglo-Italian Pod follow Ruairi on X @RuairiSC_TAIP Keep in touch with Eurotales between shows @Eurotalespod Thank you for your support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Celtic's Champions League ambitions face a stark contrast to their domestic dominance. At home, Brendan Rodgers' side rules supreme, a giant among minnows. Yet in Europe, they stumble against titans. This disparity highlights a pressing issue: Can the Hoops transcend their "big fish, small pond" status? The Scottish powerhouse boasts a rich European heritage, but recent campaigns have exposed limitations. Now, a potential solution emerges. The revamped Champions League format offers Celtic a fresh opportunity to leave their mark on the continental stage and shatter their glass ceiling. Michael McEwan, our Scottish football guru, delves into the latest developments. Brace yourself for an insightful journey through the beautiful game north of the border. Michael's website is www.michaelmcewanmedia.com His X is @mikieboy83 Follow us on X: @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we talk to French Football Expert John Porter Editor of the renowned French Football publication The Crazy Dribbler about one of the most talked-about teams in Ligue 1, Lyon. After ending last season with a bang, many believed that they would be a top contender this season. The summer transfer window was chaotic with comings and goings more frequent than spring showers with John Textor at the wheel there is never a quiet moment (Everton beware). Cherki & Caqueret were pushed towards the door kicking and screaming while superstars like Zaha & Mikautadze were procured. Last Season’s Performance But, as we all know, things don't always go as planned. Let’s take a look at their last season’s performance: From mid-December onwards, Lyon played 20 Ligue 1 games. They won an impressive 15 of them. They drew 1 and lost 4. It was a remarkable surge up the table, with an average of 1.9 goals per game. However, their start to the season was so rough that their run to the top wasted a lot of energy just to get out of relegation trouble. It wasn't until their 11th Ligue 1 match in mid-November that they registered their first league win. Fast forward to this season, and it seems like history is repeating itself. Slow Start This Season Lyon started slow, with a 3-0 defeat against Rennes in the opening match and a 2-0 loss against Monaco. Before the international break under severe pressure, Lyon reminded everyone of their potential in 11 minutes of chaos football losing 3-1 to Chelsea owned Strasbourg Lyon inspired by two unlikely heroes Gift Orban and Malick Fofana fought back to win 4-3 in a thrilling encounter. We John just how far can they go this season? Follow us on Twitter - @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Exciting Times for RB Leipzig Last week brought a wave of excitement for Bundesliga team RB Leipzig. They learned about their opponents in the new Champions League format. On the pitch, Bundesliga Matchday two featured Marco Rose's Leipzig facing Xabi Alonso and his unbeaten Bayern Leverkusen. Leverkusen had a remarkable 35-game unbeaten streak. Leipzig, with their own 12-game unbeaten run, was ready for a thrilling match. Powered by the clinical Belgian striker Openda, who scored two goals in the second half, Leipzig handed Leverkusen their first Bundesliga defeat since the end of the 2022/23 season. This win was particularly impressive because Leipzig came back after being down 2-0 at halftime. Being part of the Red Bull sporting group gives them a unique advantage in finding and nurturing young talent. Expert Insights This week, we welcome back Bundesliga expert Rune Gjerulff Petersen (Twitter @runegjerulff). He will discuss whether RB Leipzig can be serious title challengers this season. Rune is the owner of the fantastic Bundesliga site Bulinews.com and a Bundesliga Fantasy football expert. The Rise of RB Leipzig Before 2009, RB Leipzig did not exist. Red Bull came to town and built the club from the ground up. They transformed the small club, SSV Markranstadt, which was in the 5th division of German football. Red Bull, which owns clubs in Salzburg and New York, changed Markranstadt’s name, logo, and colors. They bought a ten-year lease on a 43,000-seat stadium, established a training ground, and aimed for the top of German football. In just 8 seasons, RB Leipzig reached the Bundesliga. By their tenth season, they featured in the Champions League. Controversial Tactics Their approach to youth recruitment and high-energy football is hard to resist. However, many German football fans feel uneasy about how they discarded club traditions to start this journey. In Germany, football holds a special place in the community. Many clubs are fan-owned and not just businesses for profit. Exceptions exist, like Wolfsburg and Leverkusen, but RB Leipzig’s approach has raised eyebrows. They found ways to navigate football regulations, including the 50-plus-one rule, which aims to keep clubs connected to their supporters. Leipzig has circumvented many of Germany’s football rules. They found loopholes and controlled who could own shares in the club, thus satisfying the supporter shareholding requirement. Follow Eurotales on twitter - @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WE ARE BACK: Welcome back to Eurotales for Season 2, the big kick offs are just just days away now, to get you in the mood and back in the groove, we welcome back our Saints expert Fraser Spinney to dissect Southampton's preparations as they embark on another Premier League campaign. Fraser is engrained in all things Southampton, he is part of the newly hotly anticipated Saints podcast Daily Southampton and is the prime Saints correspondent for Southampton News Website SouthamptonFC.News In this episode we discuss: The Martin Way How The Saints Timed Their Playoff Run Exotic Transfer Links Who Next From The Saints Fertile Academy And Much More..... Give us a follow on the ald X - @Eurotalespod For All Things Saints Fraser's Handle is: @FraserSpinney21 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello everyone and welcome back to Eurotales! This week, we are diving into the trenches of the Serie A relegation battle with a special focus on Udinese. Known for their ability to unearth hidden talents, this club has been a force to be reckoned with in recent years despite their modest resources. But this season, they find themselves in a precarious position, fourth from bottom and fighting for their spot in the top-flight. To help us understand the situation at Udinese, we have a special guest with us today, world renowned Italian journalist Nima Tavallaey Roodsari. Nima's career is entrenched in all things Italian football he is the co-host on the magnificent The Italian Football Podcast and founder of one of the world's best Inter Milan focused websites SempreInter.com which brings all the latest Inter news to English speakers. So can the legendary Fabio Cannavaro save one of Serie A's most intriguing clubs from relegation with five games to play? Follow Nima on X - @NimaTavRood Follow Eurotales on X - @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we are graced by Ligue 1 fountain of knowledge, THE MAGNIFICENT French football Robin Bairner, a man who oozies Ligue1 after working in French football in excess of 20years, we are going to discuss a club and manager that in many aspects have not been lauded to a level that they perhaps deserve. We preview the almighty clash of Lille v Aston Villa,. Lille and Paulo Fonseca have hit their stride at just the right time, pushing for a podium finish in Ligue1 and pushing for a semifinal berth in the UFEA Conference League. We are going to place Lille under the microscope as they prepare for their eagerly awaited quarter final clash with Aston Villa in the Conference League this week.  Enjoy! Follow Robin on X for all you French Football Desires - @RBairner Follow Eurotales on X - @Eurotalespod Want to learn more about Lille's rise under Fonseca checkout our free Ligue1 Newsletter - Read More Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 As you all know, earlier in the season, ogc Nice was the talk of the town with their impressive defense and their new manager, Francesco Farioli, leading the team to success. But, what happened? How did this team go from being on top of their game to struggling to stay afloat? Well, after three consecutive defeats on their home turf, it's safe to say that things have taken a turn for the worse for Nice. And it's not just any defeats, they lost to relegation strugglers Nantes. Yes, the same team that former manager Antoine Kombouaré has returned to for a second spell in a desperate attempt to avoid relegation. Here's the kicker, since Kombouaré' left Nantes nearly a year ago, no team in Ligue 1 has lost more games than them. So how did Nice manage to lose to this struggling team? Some shocking revelations from players and the manager himself have come to light, hinting at a lack of effort and dedication from certain players. And it's not like Nice has nothing to play for, they are in a race for the podium in Ligue 1. But their recent performances have been far from convincing, including a goalless draw against Reims, who are now just four points behind Nice. To get an insider's perspective on what's happening with Nice and Farioli, we caught up with Roy Calley, a former BBC journalist and a Nice season ticket holder. He will give us the lowdown on what's really going on with the team and whether there are any players who have taken their foot off the gas. But, let's not forget the man between the posts, Marcin Bulka. After the recent defeat, he expressed his anger towards certain players' lack of desire on the pitch. Could this be due to their heads being turned by potential summer moves? We'll find out from Roy himself. So join us as we dive deep into the shocking truth... behind OGC Nice's recent performances. Follow Roy on X - @RoyCalley Follow Our Show On X - @Eurotalespod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just weeks ago, Jose’s love affair in the eternal city with Roma ended, the Mourinho effect on Roma led to the fans of the Italian club falling in love with the cult manager. A European trophy now dons the hallowed halls of Roma thanks to Jose’s tenure, it would not be a jump to say that Mourinho is the most popular Roma manager in modern times. With the fans heartbroken and anger building towards the American owners who made the brave decision to sack Jose, Roma needed someone to reunite the troops. Enter club legend Daniel De Rossi, the former club captain is an iconic figure amongst the passionate Roma faithful and quite possibly the only man that could save the American owners from a PR disaster after ousting Mourinho. Many onlookers seemed shocked at the appointment of De Rossi, was it too much too soon for the rookie coach or was he just a PR stunt, given De Rossi only secured his first coaching role in October 2022 with second-division SPAL, the club was owned by one of Donald Trump’s lawyers. With 15 points from 16 games De Rossi’s affair with SPAL was brief and as if by some ironic twist of faith, he was sacked on Valentine’s day 2023. Fast forward to today and somehow despite a blank CV, De Rossi has realised his dream and become the manager of his club Roma. When he took the reigns, the club was in ninth position, now they are in the mix for Champions League qualification, how has De Rossi orchestrated this turnaround, we are joined by tactical expert with Edward Stratmann (X- @EdwardStratmann ) Ed is a deeply talented writer and tactician, he has been featured on WyScout, Bundeliga.com, AS Roma.com and more than we have space to mention, checkout Ed's Youtube Channel for insights and tactical analysis Licence To Roam - YouTube Enjoy our (X- is Euro Tales (@Eurotalespod) / X (twitter.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices